Nine-day literary and cultural extravaganza at Lucknow University to feature 250 book stalls, literary dialogues, children’s activities and cultural performances
Lucknow: The fifth edition of the Gomti Book Festival, a major celebration of literature, culture and knowledge, will be held from September 12 to 20 at Lucknow University. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the nine-day festival, which is being organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government and Lucknow University.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the AP Sen Auditorium of Lucknow University on Friday. NBT India Director Yuvraj Malik and Professor Roli Mishra, Head of the Department of Economics and Chief Librarian at Lucknow University, outlined the festival’s programme and objectives.
Professor Roli Mishra described the event as an important opportunity for the university to promote reading and strengthen its association with the National Book Trust. She said the initiative advances the vision of “Padhe Lucknow, Badhe Lucknow” and “Padhe Vishwavidyalaya, Badhe Vishwavidyalaya” under the guidance of the Governor.
Yuvraj Malik said the fifth edition reflects the festival’s growing popularity and status as an established annual event. He emphasised that books play an important role in nation-building and nurturing responsible citizens. The festival will go beyond book sales by providing a platform for young writers, intellectuals, speakers, multilingual creators and performing artists.
Around 250 book stalls will be set up at the festival, with 121 publishers showcasing and selling thousands of books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Awadhi and other Indian languages. Entry to the festival will be free for all visitors.
Literary Dialogues and Cultural Programmes
The festival will feature discussions with eminent writers, experts and artists on a wide range of subjects, including women’s identity, youth literature, sustainable development, translation, heritage and folklore, space and science, spirituality and contemporary journalism.
Among the prominent participants are Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, renowned folk singer Malini Awasthi, author Shantanu Gupta and Padma Shri awardee Dr Vidya Bindu Singh.
The event will also host book discussions and sessions focusing on India’s literary heritage, adolescent literature, translation and contemporary social concerns.
For young readers, the National Centre for Children’s Literature, the children’s literature division of NBT India, has prepared a special ‘Bal Mandap’ for all nine days. Children will be able to participate in storytelling, puppet theatre, Kamishibai, Vedic mathematics, mindfulness workshops, clay art, poster-making, calligraphy, caricature creation, poetry recitation, mandala art and creative writing.
Painting and quiz competitions, along with a special interaction between children and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, will also be organised.
Evenings at the festival will feature cultural performances celebrating Uttar Pradesh’s rich traditions. The programme includes a performance by Paras Band, Kathak presentations, the Kathak dance-drama ‘Raghuvansham’ by the Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan, an evening of light music, a mushaira featuring Shambhu Shikhar and other poets, folk performances, a theatre presentation by the Bharatendu Natya Akademi and a special dastangoi session dedicated to Begum Akhtar.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inaugural ceremony on September 12 will be attended by Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jai Prakash Saini, NBT India Chairman Professor Milind Sudhakar Marathe, Basic Education Minister of State Sandeep Singh, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Secondary Education Minister of State Gulab Devi, Chief Minister’s Advisor Avanish Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education Parth Sen Sharma and NBT India Director Yuvraj Malik.
Organisers said the festival is being held in line with the vision of building a knowledge-based society and promoting the ‘Make India Read’ campaign. The event seeks to bring together books, literary dialogue, cultural heritage and contemporary knowledge, offering Lucknow residents an opportunity to engage with authors, ideas and the arts.
Senior organising committee coordinator Chandra Prakash said books remain essential for accessing reliable knowledge in an age of artificial intelligence and unverified online information. He appealed to people across Lucknow to participate in the festival in large numbers.
With its blend of literature, culture, technology and children’s learning activities, the Gomti Book Festival 2026 is set to create a vibrant meeting ground for readers, writers, artists, students and knowledge enthusiasts.
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