In Nepal, as the winter chill recedes, literary discussions and debates heat up. The interlude between winter and spring can be called the season of ‘literature festivals’ in the country, which has seen a proliferation of such events over the past decade or so.

These events provide a platform to discuss not just literature but also politics, economy and society. But while the number of such festivals is on the rise, they haven’t evolved as much thematically, critics say. Topics discussed in previous years are being rehashed, they say, questioning their relevance.

In the view of Archana Thapa, a researcher and author, the issues discussed at such programmes should be continuously scrutinised. “We should also look into how the organisers manage the budget for such programmes, so they become more accountable,” she says.

Thapa, who is currently taking part in the Kakarbhitta Literature Festival in eastern Nepal, says that she has been critical of the debates and the panelists since the beginning of such events, while also acknowledging the benefits of constructive discussions for the society.

“Discussions and debates are good as long as they help the society progress,” Thapa says.

The Nepal Literature Festival, which kicked off in 2011, is perhaps the first of the lot of the large-scale, corporate-sponsored discussion events that are mushrooming in the country of late. The Kathmandu Literature Jatra followed in its footsteps shortly.

Today, over a dozen festivals are held in the country every year. This year, at least nine such programmes are being organised within a single month between mid-February and mid-March.

The Karnali Festival in Surkhet concluded last week while the Kala Sahitya Utsav will take place in Kakarbhitta from Wednesday to Friday. The Kathmandu Utsav is being organised in the capital city from Thursday to Friday, while the Nepal Literature Festival is taking place in Pokhara from Thursday to Sunday.

Dhading will host the Bagmati Sahitya Festival from Friday to Saturday, while Biratnagar will see Koshi Vichar Utsav from Thursday to Saturday. Out west, Tikapur, the hotbed of Tharuhat movement, will host its own Tikapur Literature Festival on March 8-10. And it hasn’t been long since the Chitaun Kacheheri and Janakpur Literature Festival ended.

While these events foster discussions and debates on a range of issues of public interest, they are often accused of being dominated by Kathmandu-based speakers and panellists. These events would be more effective if they encourage the participation of local people and discussion of local issues, critics say.

Mahesh Bikram Shah, organiser of the Tikapur Literature Festival, says that if such events were to prioritise local issues, they would be more relevant.

Shah says that they will promote playwright Pahalman Singh Swar during the new edition of the festival. Swar, who was born in Achham, not far from Tikapur, is considered the country’s first dramatist. Shah believes the discussion of his personality will help boost local literature.

“If discussions prioritise local issues, they help the society move forward,” Shah says.

Sarita Tiwari, one of the organisers of the Chitaun Kacheheri, echoes Shah. “We have given attention to local issues in both editions of our festival, but not everyone has done so,” Tiwari says.

But Ajit Baral, one of the organisers of Nepal Literature Festival, doesn’t wholly buy that argument.

“Nepal’s literary festivals have highlighted local issues, but whether they have received the priority they deserve is up for debate,” Baral says.

“While the Kakarbhitta literature festival prioritises ecological issues, the one in Karnali highlights the province’s potential,” Baral adds. “Likewise, the festival in Janakpur spotlights Madhesh-related issues.”

Baral goes on, “The festival we organise in Pokhara raises issues that are of concern to the city.”

Where does the funding for such kinds of programmes held across the country come from? Baral says that they receive sponsorship from local governments and corporate houses, hence they haven’t faced financial troubles.

But not all organisers of such festivals get to enjoy Baral’s relative financial security.

For instance, organisers of Chittaun Kacheheri, which recently concluded its second edition, say that they have lost money in both editions of the festival. “We had hoped that this edition would make up for the losses incurred in the previous edition, but that did not happen,” says a member of the festival’s organising team.

“The losses incurred while organising the programmes are covered from the organiser’s own pockets,” Tiwari says. “We should have been more tactical in raising money.”

Often, governments at various levels also financially support such initiatives.

Shah, the organiser of the Tikapur Literature Festival, says they have support from the provincial government, municipalities, as well as rural municipalities for the event.