Shillong Literary Festival Concludes On A High Note
Shillong Literary Festival concluded its third edition with a closing ceremony at Ward's Lake. Dignitaries like Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma and Tourism Minister Bah Paul Lyngdoh attended the event.
The festival, started on 14 November, included literary discussions, book launches, and cultural celebrations. As a youth outreach activity, a Capacity Building workshop on Literary Critique was organised at the North Eastern Hill University, (NEHU) Shillong on 17 November 2023.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma underscored the government’s commitment to nurturing literary talent, stating, “Our government aims to encourage the youth to delve into writing, research, and become successful authors. I’m pleased to announce a special fund and program to financially support researchers, writers, and authors in our local language.”
Reflecting on the festival’s success, the minister shared his experience, stating, “Attended the closing ceremony of the third Shillong Literary Festival, hosted as part of the #CherryBlossomFestival at beautiful Wards Lake. It’s so nice to learn about the array of events including interactive sessions, book launches, open mic for city poets, and creativity contests.”
Curated by Mary Therese Kurkalang, the festival had a lineup of more than 70 authors, speakers, book experts, and storytellers who engaged in enriching conversations. The event featured captivating book launches, musical and poetic performances, interactive open mic sessions, and intellectual quizzes, providing a multifaceted experience for attendees.
Additionally, the festival also had food stalls with menus from across the state.
Renowned authors such as Janice Pariat, Rohan Chakravarty, Sam Miller, Swati Daftuar Jeyamohan, Ankush Saikia, Sanjoy Mukherjee, and others graced the festival.
The Shillong Literary Festival, with its successful third edition, fosterered a vibrant literary community in the heart of Shillong.
