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Cricketer Syed Kirmani, author Durjoy Dutta to participate in The White Owl Lit Fest Nagaland
Published on Feb 13, 2025
By EMN
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- DIMAPUR — A sterling set of personalities—including Turkish Ambassador Firat Sunel, former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani, bestselling author Durjoy Datta, and award-winning author Lavanya Karthik—are set to take part in the second edition of The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair in Nagaland, starting February 17.
- A press release from the organisers on Thursday informed that the literary event—with the theme ‘Inspire, Imagine, Inscribe’—will be held at the Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima. It aims to showcase the rich literary and storytelling traditions of the Northeast.
- The three-day festival this year will feature a mix of renowned speakers, local authors, workshops, and discussions spanning literary topics, history, pop culture, and more. It is organised by The White Owl Nagaland in collaboration with Penguin Random House India (PRHI).
- “This year’s festival is an invitation to discover stories in every form—books, films, sports, and culture. We’ve curated a programme that speaks to every kind of audience, from passionate readers to curious minds. Sessions that revisit India’s first World Cup victory and explore the new-age rules of romance promise engaging conversations.
- “With a perfect blend of Northeast voices and global perspectives, we’re creating a space where storytelling thrives. Most importantly, our exclusive programming for young readers is our small contribution to shaping a new generation that finds joy in books, authors, and the magic of reading,” stated the press release.
- The festival will feature discussions on a range of topics such as preserving indigeneity, food cultures, Indo-Myanmar borderlands, and romance in pop culture, film, storytelling, poetry, and sports.
- Other speakers in The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair include the likes of culinary author Rohini Rana, Tech Mahindra's chief people officer Richard Lobo, illustrator and art director at Pratham Books Canato Jimo, and children's author from Mizoram Hannah Lalhalanpuii.
- In addition to literary discussions, the gala will also host art and writing workshops as well as interactive sessions on topics such as the art of expression, stories in pictures, mental health, inclusivity, and diversity.
- "The festival not only celebrates Nagaland's vibrant storytelling heritage but also emphasises the fundamental importance of reading, listening, and writing in our lives, advocating for a renewed commitment to literacy and creative expression, inspiring future generations to read, listen, and write with passion and purpose," added Viketuno Rio, festival director and proprietor of The White Owl.
- The event will come to a close on February 19.
Nagaland Districts
