Hyderabad Literary Festival from Jan 24 to 26 in Hitec City; climate change takes centre stage

Hyderabad: Hyderabad will host the 16th edition of the Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) 2026 from January 24 to 26 at Sattva Knowledge City and District 150 in Hitec City. The three-day festival will bring together writers, thinkers, artists, scientists, journalists and policymakers from India and abroad.

Organisers said the festival will feature 15 thematic streams, covering literature, poetry, science, media, cinema, indigenous languages and youth-focused programming.

Climate conversations as key focus

Climate conservation will be a central theme at HLF 2026, with a dedicated ‘Climate Conversations’ stream examining environmental challenges and shared responsibility in addressing climate change.

The stream will explore the intersection of climate issues with literature, science, public policy and lived experiences.

Speakers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States are expected to participate in the festival.

Nobel Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Abhijit Banerjee to speak at HLF

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi will deliver the inaugural address at the festival. Nobel Prize-winning economist Abhijit Banerjee will be among the plenary speakers.

The festival will conclude with the Ajay Gandhi Memorial Valedictory Session, featuring a lecture by Gopalkrishna Gandhi. A special centenary session will also be held to mark the birth centenary of poet Srinivas Rayaprol.

Kashmiri language in focus

HLF 2026 will spotlight Kashmiri as the Indian language in focus.

Other literary streams include Kaavya Dhaara (poetry), indigenous and endangered languages, storytelling, book launches, workshops and exhibitions.

Youth-oriented programmes will be held under the ‘Youngistaan Nukkad’ segment.

Festival reflects Hyderabad’s cultural identity

Announcing the festival on Thursday, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, said the event has become a key part of the city’s cultural landscape.

“HLF has emerged as a premier literary event in the country and it shows the vibrant city’s culture and is part of its liveability index,” he said.

From OU campus to Hitec city

Festival Director T Vijay Kumar said the event has evolved significantly since its inception.

“We began as a small event in Osmania University campus. The event has later moved to multiple venues, including Hyderabad Public School, and now we are organising in the newer part of the city. In a way, we are showing a part of the city to people who rarely visit such areas,” he said.

He added that the festival will feature stage talks, workshops, exhibitions, poetry sessions and literary discussions across multiple formats.

Free entry for all events

The Hyderabad Literary Festival is open to all, with free entry and registration for literary sessions, cultural programmes, workshops and exhibitions.

Registrations can be done online at https://hydlitfest.org/register.