The sun lingers over the pink walls of Jaipur, painting the city in a warm, golden hue. In its glow, a quiet buzz is beginning to grow. The Jaipur Literature Festival is back, gearing up for its 18th edition in 2025.
The festival promises to deliver on its reputation as “the greatest literary show on Earth.” It’s a title it has rightfully earned through nearly two decades of enriching minds and sparking conversations.
Come January, Jaipur will once again transform into a go-to destination for thinkers and storytellers.
A Stage of Unrivaled Diversity
The 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will feature over 300 speakers across five dynamic venues. Each corner of Hotel Clarks Amer will hum with the rhythm of voices from around the world. There will be no silence, only dialogue. No monotony, only dynamism.
From Nobel laureates to debut authors, scientists to screenwriters, the roster is a stunning blend of perspectives. Each speaker offers their unique perspective on the human condition. They provide the audience a chance to grapple with the known. They also encourage exploration of the unknown.
Who is speaking at Jaipur Literature Festival 2025?
The first speaker list alone reads like a roll call of brilliance. Among them is André Aciman, the master of longing whose Call Me by Your Name still reverberates with echoes of love and loss. There is Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the provocateur whose sharp intellect challenges the comfortable assumptions of modern life.
History and storytelling intertwine in Stephen Greenblatt, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who illuminates the lives of Shakespeare and the Renaissance. Tina Brown, the legendary editor and cultural critic, will offer her unmatched insights into the world of media and power.
Anirudh Kanisetti will sharpen our understanding of South Asia’s medieval past. Claudia De Rham will unweave the mysteries of the universe. David Nicholls crafts stories that leave you laughing, crying, and somewhere in between. Representing India’s rich historical tapestry is Ira Mukhoty, who paints vivid portraits of Indian women and their indomitable spirit.
Anna Funder takes you into the crevices of history, while Jenny Erpenbeck traces the threads of identity. Cauvery Madhavan captures the pulse of Indian diasporic life. Her tales will ensure that this festival remains a keeper of tradition.
The festival also brings sharp political and cultural lenses. Yaroslav Trofimov dissects the complexities of our world, while Kallol Bhattacherjee navigates the labyrinth of diplomacy.
Why This Year Feels Different
The Jaipur Literature Festival is no stranger to superlatives. But this year feels different, larger than life, even by its own lofty standards. There’s an anticipation that the 2025 edition will push boundaries even further.
Perhaps it’s the eclectic mix of voices. Literary luminaries like Jenny Erpenbeck, John Vaillant, and Irenosen Okojie stand alongside thinkers like David Nicholls and Nathan Thrall. This ensures no genre or idea is left unexplored.
Or perhaps it’s the pressing urgency of the times. Discussions are likely to tackle everything from climate change to geopolitics. They will also examine the ever-evolving role of literature in a fractured world.
Whatever the reason, there’s no mistaking the scale or ambition of what’s to come. This isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement.
A Feast for Every Mind
The Jaipur Literature Festival has always been more than just a series of panels and book signings. It is an experience. A place where the boundaries between audience and speaker blur.
Whether you are a lifelong reader or someone who only skims the headlines, this festival belongs to you. Where else could you sip masala chai while you debate Plato with a philosopher? Where else could you discuss the nuances of poetry with an award-winning poet? Jaipur Literary Festival is a place where literature world comes alive.
The Beginning of the Buzz
As the first announcements trickle out, the buzz is undeniable. Whispers of who else might join the lineup swirl in literary circles. Will there be a surprise Nobel laureate? A controversial memoirist? Or perhaps a debut novelist who will capture the world’s imagination?
One thing is certain: the Jaipur Literature Festival – one of the must-attend literary festivals for booklovers – is a celebration of voices. It is a reminder, in an age of fleeting attention spans, of the power of the written and spoken word.
Come January, the world’s eyes will turn to Jaipur. For in the pink city, words are not merely spoken. They are spoken, debated and sung. And you, too, can be a part of that song.
Planning to attend Jaipur Literature Festival 2025? Share your thoughts and favorite authors in the comments below.
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