LG Saxena to inaugurate ‘Ladakh Book Festival 2026’; 9-day literary extravaganza begins today

75-plus book stalls, literature festival, children’s programmes, cultural performances and ‘Know Your Army’ exhibition lined up

LEH: The second edition of the Ladakh Book Festival 2026 is set to begin on August 14 at the NDS Memorial Sports Complex, Leh, bringing together books, literature, creativity, culture and learning in a nine-day celebration aimed at strengthening the reading culture across Ladakh.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the festival, Director, National Book Trust, India, Yuvraj Malik informed that nine-day festival, being held from August 14 to 22, would be inaugurated tomorrow by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena.

“The inauguration will be attended by Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra; Lieutenant General Madanraj Pandey, GOC 14 Corps; and Major General Sachin Mehta, GOC 3 Infantry Division, as distinguished guests. Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Himanshu Gupta; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Shashanka Ala; Secretary, School Education, Bhanu Prabha; Deputy Commissioner, Romil Singh Donk; Director, National Book Trust, India, Yuvraj Malik; and Chairman, National Book Trust, India, Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe, will also be present,” Mr. Malik added.

The event is expected to provide a major platform for children, students, youth, readers, writers, parents, teachers and literature and culture enthusiasts to engage with books and a wide range of literary and creative activities.

Malik described the second edition as a special occasion for book lovers, students, youth, parents and those interested in literature and culture. He invited people to participate in large numbers, stressing that entry to the festival will be completely free.

The principal attraction of the festival will be the Book Fair, featuring more than 75 book stalls. The stalls will offer readers a diverse selection of books covering different subjects, interests and literary genres, providing an opportunity for people of all age groups to explore and purchase books.

This year’s festival carries the theme “Valour and Wisdom — Shaurya evam Pragya”, reflecting the rich historical and cultural legacy of Ladakh. Malik said Ladakh’s history is deeply associated with stories of courage, bravery and valour, and the theme seeks to bring these traditions of heroism and wisdom into focus through books, discussions and literary sessions.

As part of the larger celebration, the Ladakh Literature Festival will be organised from August 18 to 22, featuring a series of literary and intellectual programmes. The festival will also have creative workshops, storytelling sessions, competitions and other activities for schoolchildren every day, making children a central focus of the event. Cultural performances highlighting Ladakh’s rich heritage will further complement the literary programmes.

Another major attraction will be the ‘Know Your Army’ exhibition on August 18 and 19, designed particularly to engage young people and familiarise them with the Indian Army and its contributions.

With this diverse programme, the Ladakh Book Festival is envisaged not merely as a book fair but as a broader platform for knowledge, culture, creativity, awareness and meaningful engagement for children, youth and the general public.

Secretary, School Education, UT Ladakh, Bhanu Prabha, IAS, said the festival should be viewed as an important initiative to cultivate the habit of reading and develop a love for books among children in Ladakh. She appealed to parents and teachers to bring children to the festival and encourage them to participate actively in its various programmes and competitions.

Describing the event as a “Festival of Books,” she said it offers children an opportunity to connect with reading, learning, creative expression and new experiences. She expressed confidence that the active participation of parents, teachers and children would help strengthen the culture of reading and contribute to the holistic development of young people in the region.

The Ladakh Book Festival 2026 will host literary, educational, creative and cultural activities daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, alongside the Book Fair. With free entry and a programme designed to appeal to different age groups, the organisers have invited readers, students, parents, teachers, youth and lovers of literature and culture to take part in the nine-day celebration.

The festival is expected to provide Ladakh with a vibrant public space where books and ideas meet the region’s distinctive cultural heritage, while encouraging a stronger and more sustained culture of reading among the younger generation.