The third edition of White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair, presented by Penguin, is set to be held from February 5 to 7 at Zone Niathu.
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DIMAPUR — The third edition of White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair, presented by Penguin, is set to be held from February 5 to 7 at Zone Niathu by The Park, Chümoukedima.
The announcement was made by representatives of Penguin at a press conference on Wednesday.
Pallavi Narayan, Head of Communications at Penguin Random House India, said that inclusivity would be the central focus of this edition.
“The White Owl and Penguin teams aim for diverse viewpoints and voices. Our panels are curated to showcase varied ideas and commentary from different backgrounds and expertise, enriching discussions,” she said, adding that the festival would engage audiences through impactful conversations.
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According to her, the programme’s diverse themes are designed to connect with a wide audience, covering topics ranging from Korean culture and its influence on everyday choices to podcasts, artificial intelligence and sustainability.
The festival, she said, explores how different aspects of life intersect and influence society.
Narayan also shared that the festival’s intimate setting would allow readers to engage directly with authors and experts, making complex and relevant topics more accessible.
“The goal is to bring in greater external representation, and Penguin’s partnership helps strengthen this. The festival goes beyond panels; it is about building a reading community,” she said, adding that visitors can expect vibrant events such as manga art sessions and authentic oral storytelling.
Peter Modoli, Advisory Council member of the White Owl Literature Festival and Senior Vice-President (Marketing) at Penguin Random House India, recalled that Penguin’s initial objective was to engage readers in the Northeast and promote a reading culture.
He said that discovering the White Owl Literary Institute and Bookstore proved to be a turning point, calling it “the perfect partnership at the right time and place.”
Highlighting the festival’s focus on inclusivity, Modoli said that it features a mix of local, regional and national authors.
“We have grown each year—from 47 authors (25 from the Northeast) in the first edition to 70 (25 from the Northeast) in the second edition, and now a 50–50 balance this year,” he informed.
He added that while the organisers hope for a large turnout, the festival also aims to encourage people to set aside their phones, engage with books, discuss ideas and connect with authors.
“More platforms for such discussions are needed, and this festival is one of them,” he added.
Deepti Talwar, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House India, shared that the team now has a clearer understanding of the subjects that resonate with audiences, based on surveys conducted during the previous edition. She said that this year’s programming has been shaped significantly by feedback from last year’s attendees.
Speaking on the festival’s unique identity, Narayan said that its USP lies in its authenticity and community focus, describing it as “Nagaland’s only well-organised literature festival” built with the genuine intent of strengthening the reading community.
According to Modoli, Nagaland’s strong oral storytelling tradition presents immense potential for writers and readers alike, adding that Penguin has already signed authors from the state to bring Naga voices to a global audience.
Operations in-charge of the White Owl Literature Festival, Melvin Yhome, informed that logistics and programming remain the biggest challenges.
He said that the team focuses on curating relevant authors and themes that resonate with audiences rather than selecting topics at random.
The festival is open to all, with free entry for students and a nominal entry fee of INR 50 for others, payable at the registration counter. All workshops will be conducted free of cost.