The Dibrugarh University International Literature Festival (DUILF) 2026 will unfold from February 18 to 21 at Dibrugarh University, Assam, bringing together writers, poets, scholars, and cultural practitioners from across the globe for four days of literary dialogue and cultural exchange.
In a key collaboration that expands the festival’s national outreach, IndiGlobal Media Network has been onboarded as the Strategic Media Partner for South India, tasked with amplifying the festival’s conversations and connecting southern academic, literary, and policy ecosystems with the Northeast’s vibrant cultural platform.
A Global Literary Confluence in Northeast India
Jointly organised by Dibrugarh University in association with the Foundation for Culture, Arts and Literature (FOCAL), the festival is conceived as a celebration of literature and dialogue among writers and thinkers from around the world.
The 2026 edition is expected to host over 150 speakers representing nearly 25 countries, reinforcing its position as an emerging international literary destination.
Curators envision the festival as a space where “global literary voices meet the unique cultural imagination of North East India,” encouraging meaningful engagement between international authors and young readers.
“Where Words Weave Worlds”
The festival’s theme highlights storytelling as a bridge between cultures, disciplines, and generations, aligning literature with contemporary debates on identity, society, and global change.
Across four days, attendees will experience:
- Author conversations and panel discussions
- Readings, workshops, and literary interactions
- Dialogues spanning poetry, fiction, international affairs, cinema, and social thought
- Community-led cultural experiences reflecting the artistic ethos of the Northeast
Participation of 10,000-12,000 visitors, including students and literary enthusiasts, is anticipated.
Notable Speakers and Literary Voices
The festival brings together an eclectic mix of acclaimed international and Indian authors, translators, editors, diplomats, and cultural commentators.
Internationally Acclaimed Authors Expected
- Ann Morgan (UK), author of A Year of Reading the World
- Abdourahman Waberi (Djibouti), award-winning novelist
- Kyung-sook Shin (South Korea), globally recognised literary voice
- Gideon Haigh (Australia), noted author and journalist
- Mai Khaled (Egypt), celebrated contemporary novelist
Prominent Indian and Regional Voices
- Yesse Dorei Thongchi, eminent Indian writer from Arunachal Pradesh
- Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, publisher and literary commentator
- Arupa Patangia Kalita, noted Assamese author
- Meeran Chadha Borwankar, former IPS officer and author
- Kallol Bhattacherjee, senior journalist and commentator
- Dhruba Hazarika, novelist and academic
Additional Participants from India and Abroad
The speaker roster further includes writers and thinkers such as Maryna Akram, Neena Verma, Mujtaba Khan, Rakhee Kalita Moral, Rohini Rana (Nepal), Yuliya Musakovska (Ukraine), Waiel Awwad, and Abdelaziz Errachidi (Morocco), among many others.
This diverse lineup reflects the festival’s effort to create dialogue across continents and literary traditions.
IndiGlobal Media Network’s Strategic Role
As Strategic Media Partner (South India), IndiGlobal Media Network will:
- Extend festival engagement to universities, writers’ forums, and cultural institutions across southern states
- Produce curated conversations, interviews, and knowledge content
- Build cross-regional literary bridges linking the Northeast with South India’s academic and publishing ecosystems
- Ensure sustained documentation so that discussions evolve into long-term intellectual exchange
The collaboration aligns with the festival’s broader goal of positioning Dibrugarh as a hub for literary and cultural exchange within India and globally.
Beyond a Festival: Building Cultural Connectivity
DUILF is designed not merely as a literary gathering but as a platform where storytelling, scholarship, and cultural diplomacy intersect. By bringing together global authors, regional voices, and young readers, the festival seeks to strengthen India’s presence on the international literary map while nurturing the next generation of thinkers.