Where Words Come Alive

We are delighted to confirm that the new dates for the postponed 11th edition of the Nepal Literature Festival in Pokhara, Nepal, are now scheduled for 15-19 February. 2024. The Nepal Literature Festival is the country's premier cultural gathering that celebrates the richness of literature, arts, and intellectual discourse.

As an annual assembly of writers, thinkers, literature enthusiasts, activists, artists, sportspeople, intellectuals, economists, and politicians, the festival serves as a platform for engaging discussions on literary and broader societal issues. Over the years, it has evolved into a dynamic forum for fostering cultural exchange, promoting intellectual dialogue, and showcasing the diverse literary landscape of Nepal and beyond.

Nepal Literature Festival 2024

Day 1, 15th February

3:00 PM Onwards

Bhupi Kakshya (Hall)

Inauguration

Chief Guest: Surendra Raj Pandey, Chief Minister, Gandaki Province

 

 

Keynote Speech: Sambidhan ra Sushasan

Kalyan Shrestha, Former Chief Justice

 

 

Cartoon Book Launch: BATSYAYANA & HIS BARBS VOL II 

Organizer: Pokhreli Yuwa Sanskritik Pariwar

 

 

 

Cartoon Exhibition: BATSYAYANA & HIS BARBS VOL II

Chief Guest: Dhanraj Acharya, Mayor, Pokhara Metropolitan City

 

 

 

Gurkha Women, Visual Arts Exhibition

Chief Guest: Manjudevi Gurung, Deputy Mayor, Pokhara Metropolitan City

 

 

  A Fusion of Poetry and Music: Kumar Nagarkoti and Kutumba


Day 2, 16th February

11:00AM –12:00 PM

Bhupi Kakshya (Hall)

Nepalma Manche Kahile Aaye?

George Van Driem, Yadav Devkota

Session Presenter: Nepal Airlines

12:00-1:00 PM

Arthatantra: Tangrincha ki Ladcha

Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, Niranjan Shrestha, Bhuwan Dahal, Yagya Banjade

Session Presenter: Nabil Bank Pvt. Ltd.

1:00-2:00 PM

Mahatantra

Madan Krishna Shrestha, Haribamsa Acharya, Basanta Basnet

Session Presenter: Hyundai Laxmi

2:00-3:30 PM

Loktantrama Mahila ra Chunabi Kharcha

Mahalaxmi Upadhyaya (Dina), Bidhya Bhattarai, Manushi Yami Bhattarai, Shova Gyawali, Sama Thapa

Session Presenter: USAID│ NDI

 

3:30-4:30 PM

Brain Gain: Farkera Ke Garne?

Swarnim Wagle, Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Sonia Awale, Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd.

4:30-5:30 PM

K Cha Gaunko Khabar? 

Santosh Pariyar, Parbati Sunuwar, Sabin Ninglekhu, Basu Mishra

 

Session Presenter: Sankathan Manthanmala

6:00 -7:00 PM

Kutumbako Sangitik Prastuti


11:00 AM -12:00 PM 

Alimiyan Kakshya (Hall)

Balbalika sanga Kabitaka Kura

Bina Ghimire, Lina Gurung, Anupam Rijal, Anjana Subedi, Aashish Paudel, Karuna Vishwokarma, Sahara Khatiwada, Abyagra Ashmit

 

12:00-1:00 PM

 

Sarubhaktaka Balkathaharuko Lokarpan Samaroha 

Sarubhakta, Dhruba Ghimire, Balpathakharu, Nabin Khatiwada

Session Presenter: Parichaya Publication

 

2:00-3:00 PM

 

Sangitko Jaatsastra

Badri Pangeni, Dikra Badi, Dilip Gayak, Shivahari Gyawali 

Session Presenter: Rupa Gaunpalika

4:30-5:30 PM

 Katha Bhanne Sarangi

Chitra Bahadur Gandarva, Hari Bahadur Gandarva, Prakriti Gayak, Kusumakar Neupane

Session Presenter: Machhapuchhre Bank Ltd

4:30-5:30 PM

 A Sneak Preview: J 33

Lekhak: Kumar Nagarkoti


Day 3 17th February

11:00AM –12:00 PM

Bhupi Kakshya (Hall)

From Bestseller to Blockbuster: The Oppenheimer Story

Kunda Dixit in conversation with Kai Bird

 

12:00-1:00 PM

Sankatma Abhibyakti Swotantrata

Kundan Aryal, Bhusan Dahal, Santosh Sigdel, Anjana Kumari Aryal, Shree Pandey

 

1:00 –2:00 PM

 

Pradeshka Pir

Surendra Raj Pandey, Prithvi Subba Gurung, Amrit Subedi 

Session Presenter: Avya Club

2:00-3:00 PM

Buddha: Bhagwan ki Darshanik?

Umakanta Poudyal, Bikshu Dhajjwonto, Saraswati Pratikshya

Session Presenter: Krishi Bikash Bank

3:00–4:30 PM

 

Arthamantri Hunuko Artha

Prakash Sharan Mahat, Surendra Pandey, Barshaman Pun, Kiran Nepal

Session Presenter: Global IME Bank

4:30-6:00 PM

Kohi Kina Rajnitima Aauchan?

Sudan Kiranti, Pradip Poudel, Sumana Shrestha, Anita Lama, Tikaram Yatri

6:00-7:00 PM

Dhrubesh Chandra Regmiko Sangitik Prastuti

Moderator: Smarika Phunyal


12:00 –1:00 PM

Alimiya Kakshya (Hall)

 

Sahakariko Sakas

Sahakariko Sakas, Gauri Bahadur Karki, Gokarnamani Duwadi, Om Devi Malla, Janardan Baral

 

1:00-2:00 PM

Everything the Light Touches

Prateebha Tuladhar in conversation with Janice Pariat

2:00 –3:30 PM

 

 

Kati Loktantrik Dalharu?

Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, Sucheta Pyakurel, Padam Giri, Madhav Sapkota, Kamaladev Bhattarai

Session Presenter: USAID | NDI

3:30-4:30 PM

Kathakhari Barhakhari

Beena Theeng, Tai Tai Dhital, Manoj  Babu Panta, Nayan Raj Pandey

Session Presenter:12 Khari Media

 

 

 


Day 4 18th February

11:00AM –12:00 PM

Bhupi Kakshya (Hall)

Madesh Manthan

CK Raut in conversation with Khagendra Sangroula

 

12:00-1:00 PM

The Art of Editing Fiction

Roman Gautam in conversation with Chandrahas Choudhury and Janice Pariat

 
 

1:00 –2:00 PM

 


Lahurenika Katha-Byatha

Chandra Bahadur Gurung, Suzana Shrish, Mina Gurung, Lex Limbu

 

2:00-3:00 PM


Sanghiyatako Serofero
Gopi Hamal, Dilliram Subedi, Nawaraj Ojha, Jyoti Lamichhane, Prakash Dhakal
Session Presenter: Buddha Air

3:00–4:00 PM

 


Kabitako Aayam

Tirtha Shrestha, Sumina, Nawaraj Lamasal, Sakuntala Joshi

 

4:00-5:00 PM


Aarthik Sambriddhiko Baato

Binod Chaudhary, Sameer Khatiwada

 

 

6:00-7:00 PM


Aankhako Bhaka! (Saathma The Blue Fret Bandko Sangitik Prastuti)
Dr. Suman Thapa, Rabin Giri

 

 


11:00AM –12:00 PM

Alimiyan Kakshya (Hall)

Padheko Pustak ra Prabhav

Aarya Hamal, Shreya Lamichhane, Sujal KC, Sahanshila Paudel, Riddhi Pokhrel, Saman Gurung, Sansar Chhetri, Deepak Parajuli

 

12:30-1:00 PM

Bidhyartilai Bittiya Saksharta

Session Presenter: Global IME Bank

 

 
 
1:00-2:00 PM


Katha Kasturi!
Amar Nyaupane, Bhumishwor Poudel

 

2:00-3:00 PM



Swadesh nai Kina Basne?
Kapil Adhikari, Anilkeshari Shah, Prarthana Saakha, Nishant Khanal
Session Presenter: Vianet

 

3:00-4:00 PM


Mahakabi: Maha Aakhyan
Rochak Ghimire

 

4:00-5:00 PM


Yuwa ra Khushi
Yogi Vikashananda

5:00-6:00 PM

 

Taalwari-Taalpari!
Ganeshman Gurung, Anchala Chaudhary, Gyan Bahadur Jalari, Raghunath Wagle
Session Presenter: Hotel Sarowar

 

 


Day 5 19th February 2024

Schedule Coming Soon



About the Venue

Set against the backdrop of Pokhara’s breathtaking landscape, nestled by the serene Fewa Lake, enveloped by the lush greenery of the Raniban Forest and by the iconic Shanti Stupa, the Festival boasts a breathtaking backdrop. This locale has, for years, mesmerised participating writers and audiences alike. The proximity to Fewa Lake, the intellectually invigorating discussions, and the overall vacation ambiance of the city contribute to the Festival’s success.

Even the Hindustan Times, the prominent Indian newspaper, has noted: “Surrounded by the snowcapped Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, this breathtaking venue of the Nepal Literature Festival inspires awe as you gaze skyward.” Such accolades have solidified the Nepal Literature Festival–and Pokhara–as a preeminent destination for writers worldwide, positioning Nepal prominently on the global literary map. 

Mark Tully

WRITER AND FORMER BBC HEAD FOR SOUTH ASIA Writer and Former BBC Head for South Asia

I was delighted to be invited to take part in the Ncell Nepal Literature Festival. The presentations were fascinating, the discussions lively, and the audience responsive. I was particularly glad to learn something about writing in Nepal which is not sufficiently well known outside the country. It was also good to be able to make my own writing better known in Nepal. I wish the Literature Festival a long and prosperous future.

Indra Bahadur Rai

NOVELIST AND CRITIC

The festival has been a great learning opportunity for writers and readers alike. Though writing is done in soli-tude, a writer cannot but remain in the community of other writers. It is only in the coming together of writers that a writer feels his existence. In a literary festival, we meet a host of other writers and learn what they are writing. We also get a chance to meet our readers and receive constructive feedback on our writing. In Nepal, literary programs are usually limited to a few people and closed seminar halls, but a festival like the Ncell Nepal Literature Festival opens the way for a wide variety of people to come together for lively literary discussions. The organizers of this festival have done a great service to literature.

Ira Trivedi

Author of There is No Love on Wall Street.

I attended the Nepal Literature Festival and it was a spectacular experience! It was fantastic interacting with my Nepali readers, and I was so happy to see such a deep interest in literature amongst the youth in Nepal. The Festival was organized very well too! It was one of my first visits to Kathmandu, and I absolutely loved it there, the weather, the landscape, the restaurants! I do hope to come back again for the Literature Festival.