The Hyderabad Literary Festival 2026 — one of South India’s most dynamic and inclusive literary events — was held from January 24 to January 26, 2026, in Hyderabad, Telangana. The annual festival brought together authors, poets, journalists, scholars, artists, translators and readers for three days of conversations, performances, workshops and community engagement revolving around literature, culture, cinema, history, social issues and the arts. The festival’s programming underscored its commitment to diversity, regional voices, multilingual storytelling and public dialogue.

Organised by the Hyderabad Literary Trust, the festival has become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar. It invites audiences not only from Hyderabad and other Indian states but also from abroad, positioning the city as a vibrant literary hub that celebrates both regional and global narratives.

About the Festival

The Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) is an annual event initiated with the purpose of promoting reading and writing, nurturing literary talent, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and creating an inclusive space where ideas and stories flourish. Since its inception, the festival has expanded in scale and scope, integrating a wide range of programmes including panel discussions, one-on-one conversations, book launches, poetry recitals, theatre presentations, film screenings, children’s literature sessions and writing workshops.

The festival’s charter emphasises multilingual engagement, reflecting Hyderabad’s cosmopolitan ethos. Sessions at the festival are conducted in English as well as other Indian languages — particularly Telugu, Urdu and Hindi — ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences and literary communities.

Dates and Venue (2026 Edition)

• Festival Name: Hyderabad Literary Festival 2026
  
  
• Edition: Annual literary festival
  
  
• Dates: January 24–26, 2026
  
  
• Location: Hyderabad (multiple cultural venues across the city)
  
  
• Organiser: Hyderabad Literary Trust
  
  

For 2026, the festival took place at several venues in Hyderabad, including auditoriums, public libraries, literary centres and cultural institutions. These spaces enabled both curated programmes and interactive audience participation, accommodating literary events for all age groups.

Key Highlights of HLF 2026

The 2026 edition of the Hyderabad Literary Festival featured an eclectic mix of sessions and activities. Major highlights included:

Conversations with Renowned Authors:

Established and emerging writers participated in in-depth discussions about their work, creative processes and the broader role of literature in society. Themes ranged from fiction and poetry to biography and reportage.

Panel Discussions on Contemporary Issues:

Festival sessions examined pressing social, political and cultural topics, including freedom of expression, climate narratives, migration and identity, digital media’s impact on storytelling, and historical memory.

Regional Language Focus:

True to its ethos of multilingual inclusivity, HLF 2026 amplified regional language voices — with sessions in Telugu, Urdu and Hindi alongside English. These included poetry recitals, translations showcases and dialogues on local literary traditions.

Book Launches and Author Meet-and-Greets:

Several new titles were launched during the festival, giving audiences the opportunity to interact with authors directly, participate in Q&A sessions and engage with creative communities.

Workshops and Masterclasses:

The festival offered a series of workshops aimed at aspiring writers, poets and students. Topics included creative writing techniques, translation skills, narrative structure, publishing insights and editorial craft.

Children’s Literature Programme:

With dedicated sessions for young readers, storytelling hours, interactive activities and workshops tailored for children and teenagers, the festival encouraged early literary engagement and fostered a reading culture among youth.

Performances and Cultural Presentations:

Poetry slams, theatre presentations and musical performances complemented the literary offerings, demonstrating how literature intersects with other art forms and live expression.

Notable Participants and Voices

While the festival featured a wide array of contributors, some notable participants in 2026 included:

• Indian authors and poets whose works have shaped contemporary discourse
  
  
• Regional language writers celebrated for their contributions to Telugu, Urdu and Hindi literature
  
  
• Journalists and cultural commentators addressing social change and media landscapes
  
  
• Academics and critics offering analytical perspectives on national and global themes
  
  
• Children’s authors and educators engaging young audiences through interactive sessions
  
  

The diversity of participants underscored HLF’s commitment to providing platforms for both established voices and emerging talent.

Why the Festival Matters

The Hyderabad Literary Festival matters for a number of reasons:

Promotion of Reading Culture:

By drawing together writers, readers and cultural enthusiasts, the festival fosters a vibrant environment that encourages reading and literary appreciation across age groups.

Multilingual and Inclusive Engagement:

HLF’s focus on sessions in multiple languages acknowledges India’s rich linguistic landscape and promotes inclusivity in literary dialogue.

Cultural and Intellectual Exchange:

With discussions that cross disciplines — from literature and philosophy to social justice and technology — the festival stimulates intellectual exchange and public engagement with complex ideas.

Support for Emerging Writers:

Workshops, masterclasses and interactive forums provide emerging writers with mentorship opportunities and peer learning experiences, supporting the next generation of creative voices.

City as Cultural Hub:

For Hyderabad, the festival reinforces the city’s reputation as a thriving centre for culture, arts and literary expression. It contributes to the city’s cultural identity and encourages tourism, academic discourse and community participation.

Audience Experience and Participation

The 2026 festival welcomed readers, students, families, scholars and visitors from different parts of India. The inclusive programming ensured that sessions were accessible to a wide audience, with free or affordable tickets for select events and open-air activities designed to appeal to casual attendees and serious literature enthusiasts alike.

Local institutions — including universities, cultural organisations and libraries — collaborated with the festival to support community outreach, extend programming into public spaces and integrate educational events into school and college schedules.

Looking Forward

As the Hyderabad Literary Festival continues to grow, its future promises enhanced engagement with national and international literary communities, deeper collaborations across cultures and greater emphasis on digital outreach and hybrid participation. By championing storytelling in all its forms, HLF remains a vital platform for ideas, identity and cultural dialogue in contemporary India.