Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 Unveils Stellar Final Speaker Line-Up

The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), a literary carnival cherished by readers around the world has announced its final list of speakers for the 19th edition set to take place from 15–19 January 2026 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. With this announcement, the Festival completes a spectacular constellation of authors, artists, intellectuals, policymakers, and cultural icons from across the world.

Presented by Vedanta, JLF 2026 brings together an extraordinary range of voices—from Nobel laureates and Booker Prize winners to scientists, economists, historians, biographers, philanthropists, and celebrated performers. The line-up embodies the festival’s commitment to diversity, excellence, and global discourse.

A Powerhouse Line-Up of Global Voices

The list includes Festival Co-Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, alongside renowned names such as Amish, Anuradha Roy, Anne Applebaum, Alice Oswald, Daisy Rockwell, Esther Freud, Jeet Thayil, Kiran Desai, Marie Darrieussecq, Megha Majumdar, Neige Sinno, and Richard Flanagan. Literary and cultural experts such as Ruchir Joshi, Sonya Rhie Mace, Sumana Chandrashekar, and poet Tamim Al-Barghouti further elevate this year’s programme.

Prominent economists Arvind Subramanian and Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, along with policymakers Nicholas Stern, Radoslaw Sikorski, and Abhishek Singh, add depth to conversations on global policy, climate change, and development.

An impressive line-up of historians and chroniclers—Alex Von Tunzelmann, Fredrik Logevall, Alka Patel, Ella Al-Shamahi, Janina Ramirez, Jos Gommans, Fara Dabhoiwala, Avi Shlaim, Eric Chopra, and Devesh Kapur—will anchor discussions that explore the past to illuminate the present.

Science, Culture, Ideas & Inspiration

Representing the worlds of science, cultural history, and journalism are Archana Sharma, Luke Coutinho, Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Laura Spinney, Rachel Clarke, Bhawana Somaaya, and internet pioneer Timothy Berners-Lee. Their presence highlights JLF’s expanding footprint beyond literature, into scientific discovery, public health, cultural commentary, and emerging knowledge systems.

Distinguished art curators, academics, and biographers—including Debra Diamond, Andrew Graham-Dixon, Helen Molesworth, Priyambada Jayakumar, Marcia Langton, Herald van der Linde, and Ivo de Figuerido—will headline conversations at the intersection of art, history, and identity. Esteemed voices like Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud will also contribute to the discourse on democracy, justice, and constitutional values.

Icons from Business, Sports, Entertainment & Motivation

Business and lifestyle experts Rujuta Diwekar, Pernia Qureshi, and Ramita Navai bring perspectives on wellness, entrepreneurship, and personal storytelling. Sports legend Viswanathan Anand, global entertainers Vir Das and Stephen Fry, and H.H. Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar-Jodhpur add star power to the Festival’s eclectic mix.

Political thinkers and social commentators such as Leo Varadkar, Karan Singh, Thant Myint-U, and Vandana Vasudevan join celebrated authors and journalists including Sudha Murty, Ian Hislop, Harleen Singh, and Scott Anderson. Spiritual leader Gaur Gopal Das adds a reflective, motivational dimension to the gathering.

A Festival of Ideas, Stories & Global Conversations

Namita Gokhale, Co-Founder and Co-Director, shared,
“JLF 2026 captures the spectrum of human imagination—from the poetic to the political, the personal to the philosophical. Every voice adds richness to our shared celebration of ideas and creativity.”

Co-Director William Dalrymple said,
“This year brings an extraordinary constellation of minds—historians, poets, thinkers, and storytellers. It is a powerful reminder of how ideas can provoke, inspire, and transform.”

Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, added,
“With the final speakers announced, the 2026 edition reaffirms the Festival’s role as a global platform for creativity, dialogue, and cultural exchange.”

More Than a Festival: A Cultural Extravaganza

Beyond its literary sessions, JLF 2026 will host:

• Jaipur Music Stage
• Heritage Evenings showcasing the city’s cultural legacy
• The 13th edition of Jaipur BookMark (JBM), fostering publishing industry exchange and collaboration

The Festival remains committed to being an inclusive, democratic space where readers and writers from diverse backgrounds come together to explore ideas and engage in thought-provoking discussions.