The Chinar Book Festival is set to take place at SKICC, Srinagar, from 17 to 25 August, 2024, marking the first national book festival in the valley. Organized through the collaborative efforts of the National Book Trust, India (Ministry of Education, Govt of India) and the District Administration Srinagar, the event is expected to be a grand celebration of literature, art, and culture.
The Nine-day Book Fair will be held in front of the picturesque Dal Lake, providing a stunning backdrop for the more than 200 stalls that will offer access to books in various languages including English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, and other Indian languages. This diverse collection of books from over a thousand publishers nationwide will give readers a wide range of options to choose from.
One of the highlights of the event will be the special discounts offered on books, making it an ideal opportunity for book lovers to stock up on their favorite reads. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat expressed his excitement about the festival, stating that it will be the biggest book fair of Kashmir Valley. He emphasized the importance of such a large-scale event in Srinagar, providing the people with a unique opportunity to engage with literature and art.
The Book Fair will feature a variety of programs organized in three parts. Creative writing workshops for children, including activities like Calligraphy, Story Telling, Caricature, and Art Workshop, will be held from 10 am to 1 pm. These workshops aim to nurture creativity and inspire a love for reading among the younger generation.
For the youth, career-oriented workshops will be conducted from 2 pm to 4 pm, providing them with the opportunity to interact with renowned litterateurs and gain insights into art, literature, and culture. With over 50 thousand children already registered for the event, the Chinar Book Festival promises to be a vibrant and engaging experience for all participants.
Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, India, highlighted the significance of the festival, emphasizing that it is organized by the people of the Valley for the people of the Valley. With more than 200 book stalls featuring publications from various prestigious institutions and private publishers, the festival aims to showcase the rich literary heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.
The literary discourse at Chinar Talks will cover a wide range of topics, including discussions on Kashmir in Films & Literature, Poetry, and the rich heritage of performing arts in the region. Eminent scholars and artists such as Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Ashwath Bhat, Vishal Bhardwaj, and others will share their insights and experiences with the audience.
In addition to the literary discussions, the Cultural Stage Kala-e-Kashmir will feature performances by renowned artists like Rekha Bhardwaj, Noor Mohammad, and Rahgir, as well as live performances of ghazal, mushaira, and bands like Shadaj and Yugh. The festival aims to promote the tradition of book reading, encourage the youth to pursue knowledge, and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir on a global platform.
Overall, the Chinar Book Festival promises to be a vibrant and enriching experience for book lovers, artists, scholars, and the general public alike. With its diverse range of programs, workshops, and performances, the festival is set to become a landmark event in the literary and cultural calendar of Srinagar.