KATHMANDU: Organizers of the ‘Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026’ have officially announced the upcoming edition of one of South Asia’s leading international literary gatherings.
The eight-day festival, organized with the support of the Ncell Foundation, will bring together renowned poets, novelists, memoirists, translators, filmmakers, scholars, journalists, and emerging writers from Nepal and across the world.
This year’s edition, dedicated to honoring the lasting contribution of celebrated Nepali literary figure Guru Prasad Mainali, will be held in Kathmandu from May 29 to June 5.
The week-long event will feature masterclasses, workshops, keynote sessions, poetry readings, literary conversations, film screenings, cultural tours, and interdisciplinary discussions focused on the transformative power of literature and the arts.
According to the organizers, internationally acclaimed literary personalities participating in the festival include Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Tracy K. Smith and Paul Muldoon, novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz, poet and translator Tony Barnstone, Himalayan poet Yuyutsu Sharma, Irish literary editor Martin Doyle, and Brooklyn Poet Laureate Tina Chang, among other distinguished literary figures from Nepal, India, Ireland, Austria, Poland, the United States, and several other countries.
Organizers said the festival will open with a special ceremony celebrating the convergence of Himalayan and global literary traditions.
Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday, festival organizer Yuyutsu Sharma said, “Literature is not a luxury. It is the oldest form of healing that has accompanied human civilization. This festival is a proud celebration of the Himalayan nation Nepal, its rich cultural heritage, and vibrant way of life. The festival showcases Nepal’s glory on the global stage.”
Similarly, Vishakha Laxmi Khadka said the foundation believes literature and storytelling play an important role in preserving cultural heritage, inspiring creativity, and promoting meaningful dialogue.
“We are proud to support a platform that celebrates Nepal’s rich literary culture while connecting local and global creative voices through our collaboration with the Himalayan Literature Festival,” she added.
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