SHILLONG, NOVEMBER 19: The fifth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival (SLF) will commence on November 20 against the picturesque backdrop of cherry blossoms at Ward’s Lake in Meghalaya.
The festival will feature over 60 acclaimed international, national, and regional authors, filmmakers, poets, and thinkers, including International Booker Prize winners Banu Mustaq and Shehan Karukaratne. Renowned writers such as Francesc Miralles, author of the best-selling Ikigai, and Sam Darylmple, whose Shattered Lands has just been published, will also be present.
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Prominent regional voices from Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland, including Streamlet Dkhar, Janice Pariat, Aiyinti Nongbri, Bandarilin Bairo, Barbara Sangma, and Colnat Marak, will participate. For the first time, sessions will specifically highlight works in the Khasi and Garo languages.
Commissioner & Secretary in-charge Tourism Cyril Diengdoh said, “Over the past four editions, the Shillong Lit Fest has created an indelible impact on literature lovers, writers, and cultural enthusiasts. This year’s edition includes eminent authors, including Booker Prize winners, who we hope will inspire budding authors from our state.” He added that the festival strengthens Meghalaya’s cultural tourism and provides a platform to celebrate the power of words and creativity.
In a first for SLF, the Shillong Chamber Choir, led by William Richmond Basaiawmoit, will perform in prose. Jamling Tenzing Norgay, son of legendary mountaineer Tenzin Norgay, will also feature, along with discussions on topics such as “Scaling Mount UPSC” by IAS and IPS representatives.
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Prominent Meghalaya personalities who will participate in the programme include historian David Syiemlieh, Patricia Mukhim, folklorist Desmond Kharkhongor, educationist Glen C Kharkhongor, poet-politician Paul Lyngdoh, and Prof Sanjeeb Kakoty of IIM Shillong. Other notable authors include Sanjoy Hazarika, thriller writer Ankush Saikia, Sahitya Akademi awardee Arupa Kalita Patangia, and Mmhonlumo Kikon.
The festival’s cultural program will feature award-winning Garo film director Domnic Sangma, Bollywood actors Rajat Kapur and Vinay Pathak, and musician Gino Banks with his band. Local talents Merlvin Jude Mukhim and Alfidarie Kharsyntiew will also showcase their creativity.
The SLF continues to grow as a premier literary and cultural event in the North-East, celebrating literature, arts, and the region’s rich cultural heritage.