Nagaland, one of the smallest States in India and a region about which most Indians remain ignorant, is hosting its first ever literary and book festival. The two-day event to be held on 9 & 10 February, is named “The White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair” and the venue is Zone Niathu by The Park in Chümoukedima, near Dimapur.
The event is a collaborative project jontly organized by the White Owl Book Lounge, Penguin Random House India, and Cambridge University Press, said a release issued by Penguin Books.
A host of literary figures across the country would rub shoulders during the two day event and is embellished by celebrations of literature, culture, and community. “Vivek Shanbagh, Taslima Nasrin, Sarnath Banerjee, Durjoy Dutta, Viju B., Vasudha Rai, Nikhil Gulati, and Lavanya Karthik, to name a few. Representing the local voice at the festival are eminent authors such as Mmhonlumo Kikon, Avinuo Kire, Shelmi Sankhil, and many more,” said Chaitanya Srivastava of Penguin Books.
The White Owl Book Lounge is conceived as an epicenter of the State’s reading revolution and is the brainchild of Viketuno Rio, the Festival Director. “A vision that started with the book lounge now sees fruition in the form of a grand literary event. Nagaland, along with other northeastern states of India, is a vibrant tapestry of storytelling. Literature, oral and now written, has kept us grounded in our roots and gave us the ability to collaborate with other strengths. Penguin and Cambridge University Press, as partners, will enable this one-of-a-kind event in the region to reach out to a wider audience and invite new and fresh interest in the Northeast,” said Rio.
Gauresh Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House is enthused over the White Owl Literary Festival, the theme of which is Echoes of Narratives. This festival is a perfect way to pay homage to one of the richest literary hubs in our country. We are confident that this festival will attract an array of readers to provide them an opportunity to engage with authors,” said Shrinagesh.
It is not books and literature that visitors would encounter here. The White Owl has a café that serves some of the best beverages and snacks in the region. The organizers have lined up an array of the most sought after Naga gastronomic delights. The White Owl is calling.