Kohima, Dec 31: The third edition of The White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair is set to take place in Nagaland from February 5, bringing together writers, artists and thinkers to spotlight the Northeast’s vibrant literary heritage, organisers announced. The three-day event will conclude on February 7, 2026.
Organised by Penguin Random House India in association with The White Owl literary institute, the festival will be hosted at Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Stories, Inspiring Minds”, reflects the festival’s intent to trace storytelling traditions of the region, from age-old oral histories to modern literary expression.
The programme will feature a wide range of voices from across the country, including noted writer Daribha Lyndem, Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar recipient Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, actor Merenla Imsong, known for her role in Paatal Lok Season 2, and musician Alobo Naga. Organisers said the lineup aims to highlight both regional perspectives and nationally recognised talent.
Festival Director Viketuno Rio said the event has steadily evolved into a platform that remains anchored in the Northeast while engaging with broader ideas. He said the upcoming edition represents the most authentic expression yet of the festival’s identity, blending local narratives with wider conversations.
Discussions and sessions will span subjects such as children’s reading culture, fiction and non-fiction writing, translation, identity and culture, mental health, podcasting, social media-driven economies, media literacy, misinformation, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and building creative legacies.
A major attraction will be Penguin’s national writing mentorship programme, The Perfect Pitch, which invites unpublished writers to submit original fiction inspired by the Northeast. Entries will be accepted until January 10, 2026.
Programme Director Deepthi Talwar, who also serves as Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, said the festival brings together a broad creative community, including authors, translators, podcasters, academics, illustrators and entrepreneurs, making it one of the region’s most carefully curated literary gatherings.
Festival passes are available online, while students from schools and colleges will be granted free entry on production of valid identity cards.
