Vadodara Literature Festival 4.0: A Celebration of Ideas, Books and Culture

Celebrating the Written Word

Vadodara, the cultural capital of Gujarat, was an ancient trading hub called Vadpatra (“in the heart of banyan trees”) or Virawati (land of warriors). The city earned the title “City of Arts” under the Gaekwads. This bustling city is poised to host one of the most anticipated intellectual gatherings of the year, the “Vadodara Literature Festival (VLF) 4.0.” This Lit Fest is scheduled for January 27, 28, and 29, 2026. This platform has crystallised as a melting pot of writers, thinkers, cultural ambassadors, students, and bibliophiles from across the country.

The aim of the festival is to develop and promote a love for reading, writing, and vibrant discussion within the literary community. This lit fest is orchestrated by Parul University in association with India’s International Movement to United Nations (I.I.M.U.N.). The festival involves dialogues on contemporary issues and creative expression. The upcoming edition promises a more immersive experience compared to its predecessors. 

Glimpses of The Lit Fest

Evolution of The Fest

The Vadodara Literature Festival bridges academic scholarship and public engagement with literature. This fest has eventually evolved into a vital rostrum that presents a culturally rich environment where storytelling, critical thought, and creative pursuits sync. As the fest has grown, so has its ambition. VLF 4.0 is expected to expand on this legacy. The VLF believes that every writer deserves a stage, and they would collaborate with them to weave a better world together. 

The 2026 edition has a vibrant lineup of authors, innovators, and leaders from varied disciplines. They look forward to the belief that ideas thrive when they meet, and thus the forthcoming edition carves out a bustling space for both dialogues and disagreements. Apart from the literary engagements, there is music, poetry & storytelling, and Sufi sama, and more. Artists like Aditya Gadhvi, Manhar Seth, and Bismil are performing live. 

Core Components

 

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There will be author sessions and Panel discussions that will explore the genres ranging from fiction and non-fiction to history, culture, psychology, business, and gender studies. They provide diverse perspectives on how literature interacts with real-world issues and intellectual exploration. There will be standalone sessions for authors like Kaajal Oza Vaidya, Pooja Dhingra, and Kaushik Mitra. Some entrepreneurs and businessmen also entered the literary corridor, such as A.V.Anoop, Apekshit Khare, etc. This year, regional literature figures like K. Srilata, Geet Chaturvedi, and Anita Gopalan will also be present. 

A special segment also entails delving into a special perspective on the “Bangladesh context.” There will be journalists and diplomats such as Deep Halder, Jaideep Mazumder, and Shahidul Hassan Khokon to take the people through the evolving discourse of Bangladesh. Special sessions will be conducted by Journalists Jyoti Yadav and Kaunein Sheriff M., Entrepreneur Saurav Nigam, and others will spearhead sessions on empowering minds to lead and transform. Dimple Jangda and Dr. Manjari Chandra will conduct “fitness” sessions by imparting their knowledge on the “science and spirit of staying fit.” 

One of the core highlights of the lit fest is the presence of decorated army officers, including Lieutenant General Dr. M. Kantikar Mitra, Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Mallik, and others, who will impart stories from the frontline of service. Another highlight is the session titled “Samvidhan pe charcha,” which will be spearheaded by Law practitioners like Ramanuj Mukherjee and others. There will be a dedicated culinary session conducted by Hina Gujral and others. 

Important Keynote Speakers include personalities, like Ankur Warikoo (Entrepreneur, author, content creator & Co-Founder, Nearbuy), 50th CJI Dhananya.Y. Chandrachud, novelist Shobhaa De, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and others. 

Other Engagements

VLF 4.O has interactive workshops that aim to enhance the creative skills of participants. Hitherto, previous editions encouraged creative writing, storytelling techniques, and engagement with literary arts. In 2025, participants also had the opportunity to experience specialised workshops on graphology and caricature. Similar enriching opportunities are anticipated in the 2026 festival’s schedule.

The 2026 edition introduced the “Literature Tank.” It is an innovative initiative where budding authors present manuscript ideas to an audience, including publishers and literary experts, to receive real-time feedback on publication potential. This initiative will empower emerging writers to gain visibility. 

The festival conveys its commitment to “Vocal for Local.” While the platform has a global outlook, it also remains firmly planted in the rich soil of Gujarati heritage. From the royal legacies of the Gaekwads to the modern industrial spirit of the city, VLF 4.0 aims to weave a narrative that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity.

Key Highlights

• Three-day immersive celebration centred on literature, ideas, and creativity.
  
• Free entry and special provisions to encourage widespread student participation.
  
• Diverse participation from authors with expertise across multiple genres.
  
• Workshops, cultural activities, and interactive sessions designed to elevate literary engagement.
  
• Literature Tank initiative aimed at supporting emerging voices in writing.
  
• VLF 4.0 is set to feature a mix of best-selling novelists, screenplay writers, regional poets, and digital content creators, providing a 360-degree view of the modern media landscape.
  
• Beyond listening to speeches, attendees can participate in creative writing workshops, storytelling sessions for children, and workshops on “The Art of Publishing.”
  
• Each day typically concludes with musical performances or theatrical plays that bring the literature discussed during the day to life through performance art.
  
•  Special sessions dedicated to international relations and global literature, encouraging students to view books as a tool for international empathy and diplomacy.
  
• A significant portion of the festival is dedicated to Gujarati literature, ensuring that the local language and its contemporary evolution receive national attention.

The Broader Significance of Literary Festivals in India

Parul University’s involvement catalyzes educational reform. By hosting such large-scale events, the university is moving ahead of rote learning and offering students direct access to the brightest minds in the humanities. This event plays a crucial role in promoting reading, conversation, and cultural exchange in a rapidly globalising world. Also, it attracts global audiences and thought leaders. For Vadodara, it boosts cultural tourism during the three-day event. It also focuses on youth engagement and creating accessible platforms for literary exploration.

Takeaway

The VLF 4.0 is a meaningful intersection of community engagement, academic scholarship, and cultural celebration. What sets VLF apart from other major lit-fests in India is its lack of pretension; it feels inclusive rather than elitist. By involving organizations like I.I.M.U.N., the organizers are successfully rebranding “literature” not as a dusty relic of the past, but as a vibrant, breathing tool for future leaders.VLF 4.0 will not only illuminate minds but will also serve as a blueprint for how regional cities can lead the way in India’s soft-power projection through culture and education.

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