Day 2 – 16 January 2026
Sport, Travel, and Cultural Horizons
Day 2 of JLF 2026 opened with Bhanwari Devi of the Bhopa community, whose soulful folk music traced Rajasthan’s living traditions. The day expanded into global perspectives with Lightning Kid, where chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand reflected on his career, discipline, and the philosophy behind his book. Anand encouraged young enthusiasts to embrace passion-driven pursuits beyond reward or recognition.
Travel writing and cultural exploration were celebrated in The Travel Session, featuring Geoff Dyer, Lyse Doucet, Noa Avishag Schnall, and Pallavi Aiyar, moderated by Monisha Rajesh. The session highlighted how travel writing extends beyond memoir, engaging with environment, culture, and social observation. Stephen Fry, in A Bit of Fry, explored the joy of language, humour, and creative curiosity, sharing insights into how literature and wit shape identity.
Glimpses from the Press conferences
Islands of Ireland
Shobhaa De
Vishwanathan Anand
Historical narratives came alive in The Lost Heer: Women in Colonial Punjab, while science captured imaginations in God Particle: The Story of Everything with Archana Sharma and Geraint Lewis. The day also included the announcement of JLF Island of Ireland 2026 and Sleepwell Presents The Sacred Amritsar Festival 2026. Ojas Art: Ascending Roots celebrated contemporary Indian art and cultural storytelling.
