The inaugural edition of the Chinar Book Festival, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, concluded on August 25, 2024, with an overwhelming response from the literary community and book enthusiasts. The nine-day festival attracted over 125,000 readers, making it a resounding success and establishing itself as a prominent event on the city’s cultural calendar.
The festival was graced by the presence of Dr. Bilal M Bhat, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, who commended the people of Srinagar for their enthusiastic participation in celebrating the festival of books. He particularly praised the children and youth who attended various workshops on creative writing, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and book publishing. Dr. Bhat emphasized that the Chinar Book Festival has now become a significant annual event, promising more engagement with writers, authors, poets, and performers in the coming years.
Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, India, expressed gratitude to the people of Kashmir for their overwhelming support towards the festival. He highlighted that the Chinar Book Festival had evolved into a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and literature, attracting students, families, and book enthusiasts from across the region. The festival featured over 100 creative, literary, and cultural events, receiving strong backing from publishers and contributing to a new chapter in the country’s literary landscape.
The festival also served as a platform for eminent figures from various fields to come together and engage in discussions on a wide range of topics. A symposium on career guidance, with a focus on opportunities in Civil Services, was organized on the last day of the festival. Additionally, discussions on the rich heritage of Jammu and Kashmir in performing arts were held, featuring contributions from renowned personalities such as Sunanda Sharma, Krishan Langoo, and Pandit Abhay Rustam Sopori.
One of the highlights of the festival was the active participation of thousands of girls in various activities, including workshops on Science, Math, Arts, and Technology. Workshops on emotional intelligence, empathy, and the art of speaking were also well-received by the youth. The Digital Reading Zone, set up by the Rashtriya E Pustakalay Project team, and a photo exhibition by the Indian Council of Historical Research on Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh were popular attractions for visitors.
The festival also placed a strong emphasis on promoting local languages, with storytelling sessions and book release functions organized in Kashmiri and Dogri. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with renowned personalities such as Kashmiri folk singer Wahid Jilani and Dogri language writer Shivdev Singh. Mahfil-e-Afsana sessions hosted notable Urdu writers and Kashmiri child litterateurs, further enriching the cultural experience for attendees.
At the literary stage of the book festival, Chinar Talks provided a platform for visitors to engage with famous artists and academicians, discussing literary traditions, opportunities for Kashmir in literature and performing arts, and the importance of conserving and promoting local art forms. The festival concluded with a captivating performance by Kabir Café, a musical band, following lively performances by renowned artists such as Vishal & Rekha Bhardwaj and Rahgir.
In conclusion, the first edition of the Chinar Book Festival was a grand success, showcasing the rich literary and cultural heritage of Kashmir and bringing together a diverse range of voices and perspectives. The festival’s impact on the literary landscape of the region is undeniable, and it has set a high standard for future editions to follow.