The 3rd edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival, hosted by Yashaswi Pragya Pratishthan, will take place on September 7 and 8, 2024, in Hotel Himalaya. Organisers said the festival will feature over 300 writers and poets from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The festival’s central theme is ‘The Gateways to Asian Art, Culture and Literature’.

According to Ranjana Niraula, the festival’s founder and director, this event aims to strengthen cultural and literary ties between Nepal and other South Asian countries.

Participants include International Booker Prize-winning author Geetanjali Shree, acclaimed writers like Jerry Pinto and veteran singer Usha Uthup from India. From Nepal, participants include playwright Abhi Subedi, poet Tulasi Diwasa and political journalist CK Lal.

The festival will also introduce the Yashaswi Book Awards, honouring 5 writers in various categories such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. These awards aim to recognise and encourage writers across genres.

Yashaswi Pragya Pratishthan has now called for books for the Yashasvi Book Award. Books published by the end of 2080 Chaitra, written in Nepali or English by Nepali authors, are eligible.

Three copies should be delivered to the Yashaswi Pragya Pratishthan office in Ghattekulo, Kathmandu, by July 5. The five best books in categories including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, history/culture/research, and translation will be awarded.

Winners will receive a certificate and Rs20,000 cash at the festival on September 7.