06-06-2025
This weekend, Kinnaur Literary Festival returns to Kalpa with a dialogue on heritage, change, and ideas
In the hushed grandeur of the snow-kissed Himalayas, where devtas are still said to walk among people and monasteries gaze over valleys of silence, the second edition of the Kinnaur Literary Festival is set to begin on Saturday in the scenic Kalpa village in Himachal Pradesh.
Over two days, writers, scholars, diplomats, environmentalists, and public intellectuals will gather to reflect on some of the most compelling questions of our time—rooted in this remote region yet resonating far beyond it.
Organised by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kinnaur, and Government Degree College, Reckong Peo, the festival will unfold against the dramatic backdrop of Kinnaur Kailash and the orchards of Kalpa. This year's theme—'Conversations in the Lap of the Himalayas'—frames an eclectic series of panels that span memory, media, gender, ecology, and geopolitics.
Among the standout sessions is 'Kinnaur's Past and Future: Navigating Change in a Timeless Land', which explores the fragile balance between tradition and modernity in a region deeply shaped by nature, faith, and border proximity. Another session, 'History and Heritage Conservation in the Land of Tibetan Buddhism and Devtas', focuses on the urgency of preserving Kinnaur's unique civilisational identity.
Reflecting on the role of journalism and democratic dialogue, the panel 'News, Narratives & the Public Mind' will see editors and public commentators discuss how the media shapes perception in an era of noise and polarisation.
Also on the agenda are thought-provoking conversations on 'Green Energy and Environment', 'Breaking Boundaries: The Evolution of Women's Property Rights', and 'Diplomacy and Defense: Conflict and Cooperation with Neighbours'.
Some of the eminent speakers and authors include Harish Khare, former advisor to the Prime Minister, environmentalist Evert Vlaswinkel, historian and filmmaker Sohail Hashmi, diplomat T C A Raghavan, former ambassador to Pakistan, former editor and South Asia expert Nirupama Subramanian, and former civil servant Deepak Sanan, among others.
A rare blend of scholarship and storytelling, the festival is also a celebration of Kinnauri hospitality, curated walks, and immersive cultural showcases. Local students and educators will take part in literary readings and interactions with guests.
The event is being helmed by Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma, IAS, with academic coordination led by Dr Uttam Chand, Principal, Government Degree College, Reckong Peo. According to Sharma, the Kinnaur Literary Festival 2025 promises not just inspiration, but connection—between the local and the global, the written and the lived, the past and the possible. The fest will conclude on Sunday.
