Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest is gearing up to mark its 15th edition from November 15-17, 2024, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point, Mumbai. This year’s festival promises to be a spectacular affair, featuring over 125 writers, speakers, thinkers, and performers from 13 countries, spanning various subjects and genres.
Since its inception in 2010, the Mumbai LitFest has been a platform for lively debates, thought-provoking sessions, and inspiring performances. This year will be no exception, with a stellar lineup including celebrated names such as Arundhathi Subramaniam, Pico Iyer, William Dalrymple, and Gulzar. The event will also feature prominent international figures like Jane Goodall and Christopher Merrill, bringing a global dimension to the festival.
Among the festival’s many highlights are The Great Debate, book launches, and the much-anticipated Lifetime and Poet Laureate Awards. Attendees can look forward to the Rotary Writing for Peace Award and the Sultan Padamsee Awards for Playwriting. Daily workshops, book swaps, and campus outreach programs for college students ensure various engaging activities.
This year’s unique feature is a Virtual Reality installation based on Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kafka’s death. Visitors will be immersed in a digital recreation of the iconic novella, bringing literature to life in a way never seen before. The Metamorphosis will also be the festival’s Book in Focus.
The Little Festival, aimed at children aged 8 to 14, will run simultaneously. It will offer storytelling, bilingual sessions, and nature walks. In collaboration with the H T Parekh Foundation, this initiative fosters a love of literature among younger audiences.
Co-directors Amy Fernandes and Quasar Thakore Padamsee expressed their pride in the festival’s journey, celebrating its growth despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Fernandes acknowledged the festival’s founder, the late Anil Dharker, and credited sponsors like Godrej Industries for their continued support.
As the festival reaches its 15-year milestone, it remains committed to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and a deeper appreciation of literature, promising yet another year of memorable experiences for all attendees.
