Dehradun Literature Festival 2024 to begin from November 8
The 6th edition of the Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF) was announced today at a press conference held at the Doon Library and Research Centre. The theme of this literary and cultural festival, which will run from 8th to 10th November 2024, is Literature, Cinema, Society and will be held at Doon International School, City Campus, Dehradun.
Expressing his excitement about the continued journey of the festival, Samraant Virmani, Founder and Producer, DDLF said, “Since its inception in 2017, DDLF has brought together a vibrant community of writers, poets, readers, critics, journalists and cultural icons from different fields. With the 6th edition, we aim to transcend the boundaries of the conventional understanding of literature by promoting conversations with stalwarts from different fields. This year, we are thrilled to hold the festival in the heart of the city of Dehradun, making it easier for all literature lovers to attend, helping them experience the unique confluence of literature, cinema and society.”
Highlighting the programming for DDLF 2024, Samaraant said, “We are proud to welcome a prestigious list of speakers, including Shabana Azmi, Imtiaz Ali, Salman Khurshid, Anupama Chopra, Jerry Pinto, Abhinav Bindra, Wasim Barelvi, Avinash Tiwari, Bir Singh, Rajit Kapur, Jani, Sajid Ali, Leena Yadav, Sandhya Mridul, Prachi Shah Pandya, Trinetra, Vineet Kumar, Aaditya Kulshreshtha and many more. In addition, we have prominent names from Uttarakhand such as Manjula Rana, Abhinav Bindra, IPS Ashok Kumar, IPS Abhinav Kumar, Lokesh Ohri, Mona Verma, Ira Chauhan and Jyotika Bedi, who will contribute to this unparalleled gathering of thinkers.”
A special initiative of DDLF is the ‘Shivani – Iron Lady of the Hills Award’, which will be presented to Professor Manjula Rana of Garhwal Central University. The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000, and is given to female Hindi writers who have made significant contributions to literature and amplified the voice of women through their work.
Festival Director Saumya Kulshreshtha shared her excitement about the unique lineup of sessions and diverse programming, saying, “For DDLF 2024, we have curated a wide range of sessions that reflect true diversity across language, representation, perspectives, and art forms. We are presenting an amazing lineup of renowned authors, artists, musicians, and poets. The festival will cover a wide range of topics from literature and health to music, poetry, and social issues. Notably, this year we are presenting sessions focusing on queer representation, inclusivity, gender, and women writers, as well as performative and experiential events.”
Saumya further added, “This year’s festival will feature over 100 literary and cinematic stars. Attendees can enjoy interactive workshops, book launches, open mics, and panel discussions. Special sessions for children will focus on sports, creativity, writing and Indian culture, making the event a unique family celebration of the arts.”
Expressing his happiness on hosting DDLF, HS Mann, Director, Doon International School said, “Doon International School has had the honour of hosting the Dehradun Literature Festival for the past several years, and it is a legacy we have all put in over the years. We are extremely happy to see the festival grow and to see celebrities from across the country visiting our campus. The festival not only celebrates literature and art but also inspires our students and the community, instilling a passion for learning and exploration beyond the classroom. We look forward to welcoming eminent personalities and an enthusiastic audience to our school.” Entry to the Dehradun Literature Festival is free. Interested participants can get their passes by registering at www.dehradunliteraturefestival.com.
