Grand Inauguration Of Gomti Book Festival-2026, A Mahakumbh Of Literature And Culture In Lucknow

Lucknow witnessed the grand inauguration of the fifth edition of the Gomti Book Festival-2026 at the campus of Lucknow University on Saturday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the event. The 9-day festival, organized by the National Book Trust, India, will take place from September 12 to 20. With around 250 book stalls and participation from 121 publishers, the festival will offer a vast collection of books in multiple Indian languages.

The festival aims to promote book culture, education, literature, and knowledge dissemination across the state, aligning with the Yogi government's efforts. Notable personalities such as Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, folk singer Malini Awasthi, author Shantanu Gupta, and Padma Shri awardee Dr Vidya Vindu Singh will participate in dialogue sessions.

The Children's Pavilion, curated by the National Center for Children’s Literature, will host various activities, including puppet shows, storytelling, Vedic mathematics, and creative writing workshops.

In addition to literary events, the festival will showcase Uttar Pradesh's rich traditions and cultural heritage through evening programs like performances by Paras Band, Kathak dance-dramas, and light music sessions. The National e-Library, featuring over 7,000 e-books in 22 languages, will also be available, emphasizing the importance of digital resources in promoting literacy and access to knowledge.