7th Edition of Kitab Jatra on December 11–12 at Nepal Police Club

Kathmandu — Organized by the Kitab Yatra Foundation, the Kitab Jatra  festival has been promoting literature, language, art and culture. In continuation of that tradition, this year’s 7th edition of Kitab Jatra is scheduled to take place on 25 and 26 Mangsir at the Nepal Police Club on Exhibition Road, Kathmandu.

According to the festival’s director Rishiram Adhikari, the event will feature deep debates and critiques by experts from various fields on topics such as social depth, analysis of traditional values, political context and directions for a golden future — along with a musical atmosphere.

“Letters or words of a book never tire. But people do. Stories, on the other hand, keep walking. Kitab Jatra is a representation of such stories,” he said. He expressed that the festival aims to raise the level of education and awareness in society by sustaining the culture of reading.

Adhikari added that preparations for session rooms and stalls have reached their final stage. The festival will include more than two dozen discussion sessions, interactive programs, music performances, and other creative events.

The event will see the participation of national and international writers, politicians, authors, artists, editors and journalists. Through the festival, serious deliberations will take place on a variety of topics linked with literature — including social, political, economic issues, new technologies, cinema, and more.

According to Adhikari, they aim to use Kitab Jatra to expand the market for Nepali literature as well as to strengthen cultural and touristic aspects. He believes that after the upheaval caused by the “GEN-Z movement”, Kitab Jatra can contribute something, however small, in bringing society back into rhythm.

At the festival there will be a book exhibition, live Mithila art painting, food stalls, musical performance by “Jadau Hajur”, traditional “Chhaliya” dance from the Far-West, “Jhijhiya” dance from Terai-Madhes, and “Maruni” dance from the East.

The festival’s opening will begin with a “Swasti” reading, elaborate procession featuring lakhē (traditional) dance, a poetry recital by actor Nazir Hussain, and a demonstration of AI-based literature. In addition, there will be stand-up comedy by Rishabh Kafle and Prabhat Lama.

During the peak atmosphere at the Nepal Police Club, the organizers believe that a session involving cricketers will add extra interest. There will also be a film-dialogue, an open-mic session featuring 50 poets, and inauguration of a portable library.

Prominent figures such as authors, poets, journalists, bankers and artists — including Neelam Karki Niharika, Mohan Mainali, Subin Bhattarai, and many others — will be speakers in various sessions.

Moreover, on this occasion, the festival will release separate books by Simyon Sukita Rai — winner of “Poet Idol” — and Mahesh Babu Tinlsina. On the second day, musical performance by Jhuma Limbu and a traditional “Kawali” musical show will also take place.

The Kitab Yatra Foundation will also confer — in the spirit of the festival — a “Prem Sahitya Samman” and a “Best-Seller Award” to two distinguished personalities.