The third edition of The White Owl Literature Festival & Book Fair will be held in Nagaland from February 5 to 7, 2026, with a focus on celebrating the Northeast’s rich literary and storytelling traditions, organisers announced.
The three-day festival, themed “Celebrating Stories, Inspiring Minds”, will be hosted at Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima.
Organised by Penguin Random House India in collaboration with literary institute The White Owl, the event aims to trace the region’s narrative journey from its deep-rooted oral traditions to contemporary writing, while highlighting the Northeast’s contribution to India’s cultural and literary landscape.
A wide range of writers, artists and cultural voices are expected to participate in the festival.
The speaker lineup includes author Daribha Lyndem, Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar awardee Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, actor Merenla Imsong, known for her role in Paatal Lok Season 2, and musician Alobo Naga, among others.
Festival director Viketuno Rio said the event continues to grow as a platform that remains grounded in the Northeast while engaging with national and global perspectives.
He described the 2026 edition as the most representative reflection yet of the region’s creative energy and cultural diversity.
The programme will feature discussions and sessions on a broad spectrum of themes such as children’s reading habits, fiction and non-fiction storytelling, translation, identity and culture, mental health, podcasting, social media economies, media literacy, misinformation, entrepreneurship, legacy building and artificial intelligence.
ALSO READ: BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand becomes first Indian to earn 5th Dan in traditional Taekwondo
A key highlight of the festival will be Penguin’s flagship writing mentorship and discovery initiative, The Perfect Pitch. For the 2026 edition, unpublished writers from across the country have been invited to submit fiction inspired by the Northeast, adding a strong regional emphasis to the programme.
Entries will be accepted until January 10, 2026.
Programme director Deepthi Talwar said the festival brings together an expansive mix of storytellers, translators, podcasters, academics, illustrators and entrepreneurs, making it one of the most carefully curated editions focused on the Northeast.
Tickets for the festival are available online. Entry will be free for school and college students on the production of valid identity cards.
