Gomti Book Festival 2026 Inaugurated in Lucknow

The fifth edition of the Gomti Book Festival-2026 was inaugurated at the Lucknow University campus on Saturday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festival, which is organized by the National Book Trust, India. The 9-day festival will run from September 12 to 20 and will feature a book exhibition, literary dialogues, cultural programs, children’s activities, workshops, and technology-related events.

The festival is significant amid the Yogi government's efforts to promote book culture, education, literature, and the dissemination of knowledge across the state. Around 250 book stalls have been set up at the festival, with 121 publishers participating. Thousands of books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Awadhi and various other Indian languages are available for readers.

A wide collection of books on literature, history, culture, biographies, art, education, spirituality, and contemporary subjects is available. National Book Trust Program Officer Narendra Singh said NBT publishes books in around 70 languages and has a collection of approximately 10,000 books.

The Gomti Book Festival is organizing dialogue sessions with renowned writers, experts, and personalities from various fields. These sessions will feature 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 Vindu Singh, along with distinguished artists, writers and experts from various fields.

Keeping young book lovers in mind, a special Children’s Pavilion has been prepared by the National Center for Children’s Literature for all nine days. It will feature activities such as puppet shows, storytelling, Vedic mathematics, mindfulness workshops, clay art, poster making, calligraphy, a caricature studio, poetry recitation, mandala art and creative writing for children of different age groups.

Every evening at the festival will feature programs showcasing Uttar Pradesh's rich traditions and cultural heritage. These will include a performance by Paras Band, a Kathak program, the Kathak dance-drama Raghuvansham by Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan, an evening of light music, a mushaira, folk performances and a theatrical presentation by Bharatendu Natya Akademi.

The festival is expected to promote book culture and education in the state, and provide a platform for authors, publishers, and readers to come together. The event is also expected to boost the local economy, with thousands of visitors expected to attend the festival.

In terms of significance, the Gomti Book Festival-2026 is a major event in the literary calendar of India, and is expected to have a positive impact on the promotion of book culture and education in the state. The festival is also expected to provide a platform for local authors and publishers to showcase their work, and to promote the rich cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh.

Overall, the Gomti Book Festival-2026 is a significant event that is expected to have a positive impact on the literary scene in India, and to promote book culture and education in the state. The festival is a must-visit for book lovers, authors, and publishers, and is expected to be a major success.

The festival's impact on the state's literary scene is expected to be significant, with thousands of books available for readers, and a wide range of activities and events planned. The festival is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy, with thousands of visitors expected to attend the festival.

In conclusion, the Gomti Book Festival-2026 is a major literary event that is expected to have a positive impact on the promotion of book culture and education in the state. The festival is a must-visit for book lovers, authors, and publishers, and is expected to be a major success.