Srinagar, July 16 (JKNS): The third edition of the Chinar Book Festival will be held from July 18 to 26 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, bringing together readers, writers, publishers and artists from across the country for a nine-day celebration of books, literature and culture.
Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, under the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), the festival will feature more than 200 publishers and book stalls showcasing books in English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi and several other Indian languages.
Addressing press conference director NBT Yuvraj Malik as per news agency JKNS, said the festival will host literary discussions, author interactions, book launches, workshops, storytelling sessions, children’s activities and cultural performances aimed at promoting reading culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
The festival will be inaugurated on July 18 by senior dignitaries of the Union Territory. The inaugural ceremony will witness the release of “An Indian Muslim Speaks” by noted scholar Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, besides the launch of 24 bilingual books prepared through the first-ever Gojri Translation Workshop held during the 2025 edition of the festival.
Another major attraction will be the release of the first set of novels developed under the Rajtarangini Workshop, inspired by the historic work of Kalhana and aimed at introducing Kashmir’s rich historical legacy to contemporary readers.
The organisers said the festival will include dedicated sessions on journalism, multilingual education, Urdu literature, Kashmiriyat, women’s leadership, public policy, environment, cinema, crafts and youth, along with Mushairas, Sufiyana performances and cultural evenings.
A special Children’s Corner and Digital Reading Corner will also be set up, while visitors will have access to the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, offering thousands of free e-books.
Among the highlights is the 5K Reading Run – “Together We Read, Together We Lead”, an official India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records attempt under Shiksha Saptah 2026, expected to witness participation of thousands of schoolchildren.
The festival will also mark the launch of a new children’s comic book jointly developed by Bisleri and the National Book Trust, with 20,000 copies to be distributed among schoolchildren across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo described the Chinar Book Festival as a platform open to everyone, saying it offers an opportunity to enhance knowledge, personality and talent through books and interaction with eminent personalities from diverse fields.
He said visitors will have the chance to engage with noted authors, artists, actors, scientists and other distinguished personalities through interactive sessions, enabling students and young readers to learn directly from experts and clear their doubts about various career fields.
Labroo said the festival is not merely a book fair but a comprehensive knowledge platform where books on science, technology, engineering, literature and other disciplines will be available under one roof.
He appealed to students, readers, artists and people interested in literature, cinema, science and astronomy to visit the festival and witness “the best of the country” during the nine-day literary event.
The National Book Trust has invited readers, students, educators, writers and families to participate in the festival and celebrate the joy of books amidst the scenic surroundings of Kashmir. (JKNS)
