Jaipur Literature Festival London 2026 Unveiled at British Council Delhi

Ideas Across Continents

At the British Council in New Delhi, Teamwork Arts hosted an exclusive preview of , offering audiences, media, and members of the literary community an early look at the upcoming edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival London, scheduled to take place from 5–7 June 2026 at the British Library. Marking its 13th edition, JLF London continues to bring South Asian literary voices and global cultural conversations to one of the world’s most significant literary institutions.

Present at the evening in Delhi, what emerged most clearly was the festival’s continuing role as a meeting ground for writers, historians, journalists, poets, diplomats, and readers from across the world. Over the years, and its international editions have built a space where literature and public discourse intersect through conversations that travel across borders and disciplines.

Produced by Teamwork Arts, the preview opened with a film by the British Council, followed by a welcome address from Alison Barrett, who reflected on the longstanding collaboration between the British Council and JLF London in strengthening cultural exchange between India and the UK through literature, ideas, and the arts.

The festival is supported by several partners including AU Small Finance Bank as the Official Banking Partner, Aga Khan Foundation as the Session Series Partner, alongside the British Council. Additional partners include University of York as a session partner, KIIT University as university partner, and Cobra Beer as Beer Partner. The festival is also supported by the British Library and The Teamwork Fine Arts Society.

The Delhi curtain raiser offered a preview of the themes and discussions that will shape JLF London at the British Library 2026. This year’s edition will feature an international line-up including Lyse Doucet, Nikita Gill, Tash Aw, Lucy Foley, Alexander McCall Smith, Marina Warner, William Dalrymple, Anita Anand, Tahmima Anam, Jeet Thayil, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Sarah Churchwell, and Bruno Maçães, among others.

Over the years, JLF London at the British Library has established itself as a significant global platform for literary and cultural dialogue, bringing together readers, academics, artists, students, diplomats, and members of the South Asian diaspora. The 2026 edition will explore subjects including literature, politics, migration, identity, artificial intelligence, food, cinema, history, global geopolitics, and the changing energy landscape through readings, debates, performances, and panel discussions.

One of the most engaging sessions during the Delhi preview was The Partition: Remembering and Healing, featuring Navtej Sarna, Kishwar Desai, and Arunava Sinha. The conversation revisited the lasting impact of Partition through literature, archives, memory, and lived experiences from Punjab and Bengal. Navtej Sarna discussed his Sahitya Akademi Award-winning novel Crimson Spring, while Kishwar Desai reflected on preservation and remembrance through her work with the Partition Museum. Arunava Sinha brought additional perspective through his extensive translations and writings documenting modern Bangla history. The discussion examined both the historical realities of 1947 and the continuing role of storytelling in preserving personal and collective memory.

Speaking about the upcoming edition, Sanjoy K. Roy described JLF London at the British Library 2026 as a celebration of stories, ideas, and conversations that connect cultures and communities across the world.

The evening also highlighted the enduring collaboration between JLF London and the British Library, a partnership that continues to support international cultural dialogue through literature and the arts. The 2026 edition additionally sets the stage for the landmark 20th anniversary of the Jaipur Literature Festival next year, marking two decades of conversations, creativity, and global cultural exchange.

For the full programme, visit JLF London 2026.