Famed as “the greatest literary show on earth”, the upcoming edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is scheduled from February 1 to 5, 2024. It will take place at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. This will be the 17th edition of this five-day literary extravaganza, based on the theme of ‘Stories Unite Us’
The theme of the event intends to explore how literature can have a profound impact, reflecting society and fostering unity. Like in past years, the festival will uphold linguistic variety, showcasing a wide range of languages and organizing sessions dedicated to literary creations in languages such as Assamese, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu.
The 17th Jaipur Literature Festival will feature several prominent figures, including renowned British classicist Mary Beard, English historian and broadcaster Tom Holland, art historian BN Goswamy, and mythological fiction author Anand Neelakantan. These individuals are among the initial 25 speakers announced for the event.
In 2024, the Jaipur Literature Festival will once again immerse book enthusiasts from across the globe in a vibrant library of ideas, literature, and authors. The event will encompass fiction and non-fiction, poetry and music, as well as engaging debates and discussions. This year promises to be exceptional, combining timeless themes with fresh and thought-provoking contemporary perspectives.
The initial lineup of speakers also includes Debra Diamond, who serves as the curator for South Asian and Southeast Asian Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art; Devika Rege, a first-time novelist known for “Quarterlife”; Jeff Goodell, the acclaimed American author of the bestseller “The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death”; Jerry Brotton, a prize-winning and bestselling broadcaster; Mridula Garg, a highly regarded Hindi novelist and writer; and Nilanjana S Roy, an award-winning author recognized for her three novels.
The list of speakers extends to include Patrick Radden Keefe, a journalist and author with multiple awards to his name; Raj Kamal Jha, a journalist and novelist; British writer Ben Macintyre; RA Mashelkar, who has received 47 honorary doctorates; and S Muralidhar, the former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, alongside several others.
The 2024 edition of JLF will place a spotlight on Indian literature and the celebration of its rich diversity of voices. Notable speakers include Mridula Garg, a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi award; Anuradha Sarma Pujari, a prominent Assamese author; B. Jeyamohan, a celebrated writer in both Tamil and Malayalam; and acclaimed authors Anand Neelakantan and Kalpana Raina. Additionally, the festival will feature internationally acclaimed writers such as the award-winning historian Mary Beard, renowned travel writer Colin Thubron, and translator Tom Holland.
The Jaipur BookMark’s 10th edition, coinciding with the festival, will gather an extensive array of global participants, including publishers, literary agents, authors, translators, translation agencies, and book vendors. It will provide them with a platform to connect, engage in discussions related to their profession, and gain insights from influential figures in the international literary industry.
