Final speaker list for Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 announced

19th edition from January 15-19, 2026

The final list for speakers at the 19th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival from January 15th to 19th, 2026, has been announced. The list comprises names of thought leaders, Sahitya Akademi awardees and several other personalities. 

Jaipur Literature Festival has released its final list of speakers for the 19th edition taking place at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, from January 15 to 19, 2026. The final list comprises names of thought leaders, writers, Sahitya Akademi awardees, historians, scientists among others. 

In a press statement, JLF says that the list released includes festival Co-Directors Namita Gokhale, William Dalrymple and other personalities including Amish, Anuradha Roy, Anne Applebaum, Alice Oswald, Daisy Rockwell, Deepa Bhasthi, Esther Freud, Jeet Thayil, Kiran Desai, Marie Darrieussecq, Megha Majumdar, Neige Sinno, Richard Flanagan, Ruchir Joshi, Sonya Rhie Mace, Sumana Chandrashekar and Tamim Al-Barghouti. 

The statement also said that the personalities from journalism, non-fiction and fiction writers including Sudha Murthy, Harleen Singh, Scott Anderson, Ian Hislop will also be present at the event. 

Also read A wrap up of the 13th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival

“Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 captures the spectrum of human imagination – from the poetic to the intellectual, the political to the personal. Each voice in this gathering adds a texture to our shared celebration of ideas, creativity, and the written word. The festival remains a convergence of stories that connect us across languages, histories, and continents,” says Gokhale, Co-Founder and Co-Director, JLF.

“This year’s Jaipur Literature Festival brings together an extraordinary constellation of minds, historians, poets, thinkers, and storytellers from across the world. It’s an astonishing reminder of the power of ideas to inspire, provoke, and transform. I can’t wait for Jaipur to once again become the vibrant crossroads of global thought and conversation,” says Dalrymple, Co-Director.

“With the final speakers confirmed, the 2026 edition reaffirms its place as a global platform where creativity, discourse, and cultural exchange converge. This year’s Festival offers a unique opportunity to engage, inspire, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling,” said Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts. 

The statement also said that JLF, 2026 will present the Jaipur Music stage, Heritage Evenings and the 13th edition of the Jaipur BookMark which will offer opportunities for performance, cultural celebration and industry collaboration.