The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), said to be celebrated globally as an iconic celebration of books, ideas and storytelling, announces another set of speakers for its upcoming 19th edition. The festival will take place from 15 to 19 January 2026 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, and continue its tradition of bringing together diverse voices that shape literary and cultural landscapes.
This year’s announcement introduces an array of authors, thinkers, and artists who represent a variety of perspectives and disciplines. The confirmed names include senior physicist at CERN Geneva Archana Sharma; former chief economic adviser to the Government of India Arvind Subramanian; Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo; Nobel Prize-winning economist Tanya Talaga; former Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar; art historian and curator Debra Diamond; editor of Private Eye and satirist Ian Hislop; poet and novelist Jeet Thayil; Booker Prize-winning author Kiran Desai; award-winning nature poet Alice Oswald; art critic and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon; bestselling novelist Ashwin Sanghi; writer Kunzang Choden Roder; historian and biographer Narayani Basu; nutritionist and author Rujuta Diwekar; award-winning writer and chronicler of the Himalaya Stephen Alter; disability rights activist and writer Tarini Mohan; literary advocate and publisher William Sieghart; and Telugu feminist writer Volga.
Namita Gokhale, co-director of the JLF, shared, “Come January, the greatest literature festival on earth returns to Jaipur! It provides a crucial cross-fertilization of ideas and literary narratives in our fractured world. The multilingual lineup of writers and speakers is as diverse and eclectic as ever, showcasing the best of recent writing from across the Indian languages and the globe. With themes that are classic, radical and timeless the 19th edition of our festival provides windows to many worlds and glimpses into the future.”
William Dalrymple, co-director, added, “This year we present one of our most extraordinary line-ups since the festival began, including many of the world’s most celebrated writers, thinkers, poets and satirists. Do not miss Jaipur – it’s going to be completely astonishing.”
Sanjoy Roy, managing director of Teamwork Arts, said, “The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is more than an event; it’s a celebration of free expression, diversity, and the power of narrative to build bridges. As we approach our 19th edition, we’re proud to offer a platform where voices from around the world can engage, inspire, and transform audiences through the art of storytelling.”
Priya Agarwal, director, Vedanta Resources (sponsor), said, “At Vedanta, our partnership with the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) reflects our belief that when creativity and conversation come together, they can shape a more connected and compassionate world. As the festival enters its 19th edition, we are proud to support a platform that celebrates diverse voices and the timeless power of storytelling to drive progress.”
Alongside its literary sessions, JLF 2026 will present a diverse program including the heritage evenings, set against the historic backdrop of Jaipur, featuring music, poetry, and performance. The Jaipur Music Stage will showcase leading Indian and international musicians in performance alongside the festival. The industry-focused Jaipur BookMark (JBM) will once again provide a platform for publishers, agents, authors, and other stakeholders to network and collaborate.
Now in its 19th year, the Jaipur Literature Festival remains committed to being an accessible, inclusive space where writers, thinkers, and audiences come together to celebrate ideas and the universal love for stories.
For further information on the festival, please visit: https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/
