Kashmir Reads Together, Leads Together: Chinar Book Festival 2026 Concludes With Record-Breaking Success

Bringing together over 200 publishers, more than 800 artists and authors, and thousands of students, families and readers, Chinar Book Festival organised by the National Book Trust, India, under the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the District Administration, Srinagar, and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) turned Srinagar into a nine-day meeting ground for ideas, culture and community, anchored by its theme, “Together We Read, Together We Lead” (Mil Kar Padhenge, Mil Kar Badhenge).

The inauguration…

The festival was inaugurated on July 18 by Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, who called it a symbol of peace, change and self-belief in the region and urged the youth to make reading and writing a weekly habit. The inaugural ceremony also saw the release of 24 bilingual titles from the Gojri Translation Workshop held in 2025, five novels under the Rajtarangini Samvad initiative reimagining Kalhana’s 12th-century classic for contemporary readers, and the Urdu translation of Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages. On Day 7, the children’s comic book Vidya and Chhota Bheem: Big Green Mission was launched in 48 languages by NBT in collaboration with Bisleri, calling on Kashmir’s youth to lead the fight against plastic pollution.

Literary sessions…

A highlight of the third edition was its line-up of literary sessions and dialogues featuring several headline conversations with prominent public figures. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, AC shared his journey to the International Space Station and urging students to pursue discipline and curiosity in equal measure. Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi brought humour and inspiration, urging students to pursue creative careers out of genuine passion. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali captivated audiences with an intimate session on storytelling, spirituality and cinema, revealing personal anecdotes behind his films.

Beyond these sessions, the festival’s Authors’ Corner used its panel discussions to explore Kashmir’s identity from multiple angles. Sessions examined the changing landscape of journalism and storytelling, and the shared cultural bond between Urdu and Kashmiriyat, while the region’s performing arts and heritage came alive through discussions on the revival of Kashmiri theatre, the evolution of the Valley’s literary aesthetics, the preservation of traditional crafts and fashion, and the safeguarding of Kashmir’s languages and literary legacy, as well as reimagining Kashmir’s tourism economy through literature and digital innovation.

Dedicated meets on cinema, theatre and literature brought together actors, directors and writers to discuss how Kashmiri stories move between the page, the stage and the screen, while a first-of-its-kind Innovators’ Meet saw student innovators from SKUAST- K, IUST and the University of Kashmir showcase patented technologies and emerging startups, spotlighting the Valley’s next generation of thinkers and builders. The festival also put particular emphasis on women’s voices, with sessions on the resilience and legacy of Kashmir’s women featuring entrepreneurs, journalists and senior women bureaucrats reflecting on leadership and social change in the region.

Children’s events…

A record-breaking moment came on Day 8, when over 4,644 students took part in a 5K Reading Marathon along the banks of Dal Lake, flagged off by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha. The event set new records with both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records for the “Maximum Children Participating in a Marathon to Promote Reading and Environment,” reinforcing the festival’s twin message of literacy and environmental responsibility.

The Children’s Corner remained a hub of activity throughout the festival, hosting storytelling sessions, puppet shows, calligraphy and craft workshops, and daily introductions to the Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya digital library, drawing thousands of young participants each day. Evenings across the nine days were marked by vibrant cultural performances, including Rouf dance, Kashmiri folk theatre, Sufiyana and Mushaira evenings, and musical performances by artists from across the Valley.

In observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the festival’s final day featured a stirring production of MarkarJeena, a play by renowned playwright Rakesh Roshan Bhatt honouring the valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Chairman, National Book Trust, India, said the festival had embodied the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020 by taking learning beyond the classroom and nurturing a lifelong love for books and knowledge among the Valley’s youth.

Yuvraj Malik, Director, National Book Trust, India, described the Chinar Book Festival as a brand ambassador of Kashmir’s literary and cultural heritage, he said the festival had contributed meaningfully to the growth of literary tourism in the Valley.

Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convenor of the Chinar Book Festival, said the response from Srinagar and districts across Jammu and Kashmir had exceeded expectations, with families, students and readers engaging enthusiastically across the festival’s literary discussions, cultural performances, workshops and interactive sessions. He said the festival had given thousands the chance to connect directly with eminent writers, scholars, artists, innovators and thinkers from across the country and the region

As the Chinar Book Festival drew its final curtain against the timeless backdrop of Dal Lake, it left behind more than memories of books launched and sessions held. It left a valley of young minds a little more curious, a little more spoken for and a little more certain that the pen, like the Chinar leaf itself, only grows stronger with every season. Srinagar now looks ahead to a fourth edition, carrying forward a promise nine days in the making: that Kashmir will keep reading and keep leading, together.