Darjeeling to Host First Arts and Literature Festival; Over 60 Authors to Participate

Amitava Banerjee, MP, Nov 13, 2026, Darjeeling: Darjeeling is set to host its first major arts and literature festival, with over 60 authors, filmmakers, actors, publishers and creative professionals gathering at Chowrasta for the inaugural Darjeeling Arts and Literature Festival (DALF) 2026 from November 14 to 18.

The five-day festival, to be held daily from 10 am to 6 pm, will feature more than eight panel discussions each day, besides book launches, author interactions, signing sessions and film screenings followed by question-and-answer sessions.

A major highlight will be an initiative connecting over 40 aspiring and established authors with leading publishing houses. The initiative aims to provide writers from the region with an opportunity to interact directly with the publishing industry and explore avenues for getting their works published.

With students at the centre of its vision, the festival has invited schools and colleges across the hills to encourage young people to participate in the event.

A medical camp, career guidance and initiatives related to child rights and the rescue and rehabilitation of women and children will also be showcased by NGOs.

Speaking about the initiative, Festival Director Sujit Kumar Singh said the festival was his way of giving back to the town where he grew up.

"Darjeeling is where I grew up, went to school and made many of my earliest memories. DALF is my way of giving back to the town and its people. I believe that receiving something from a place also brings the responsibility to give something back," he said.

"This festival belongs to Darjeeling, and I want its young people to be at the heart of it," Singh added.

An initiative of Sujit K Singh Films, the festival will be open to visitors at Chowrasta from November 14 to 18.

Courtesy and Source: Millennium Post