Gangtok, March 6 (IPR): A coordination meeting on the upcoming second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival was held at Manan Bhawan today. The meeting was graced by Area MLA-cum-Advisor,Urban Development and Food and Civil Supplies Department, Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, as the Chief Guest, and MLA Mr Aditya Golay as the Guest of Honour. The meeting was also attended by the resource person and Vice President, Festivals and Special Projects, Teamwork Arts, Mr Syed Shams Jawaid, along with senior officials from various departments and stakeholders associated with the festival.
In his address, the Chief Guest, Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, appreciated the coordinated efforts of various departments in preparing for the upcoming festival. He stated that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, the State Government continues to encourage initiatives that strengthen the creative economy while providing platforms that celebrate art, literature and cultural expression. He observed that the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival presents an important opportunity to showcase the State’s rich cultural heritage, literary traditions and vibrant artistic community before a wider audience. Emphasising the importance of collaboration, he called for sustained coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the festival.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice President, Festivals and Special Projects, Teamwork Arts, Mr Syed Shams Jawaid informed that the festival will be inaugurated on the evening of April 26, 2026, at Ridge Park, Gangtok. He stated that the three-day festival will feature around 22 curated sessions and five to six interactive workshops across multiple venues during the day, accompanied by a musical evening programme celebrating diverse cultural expressions.
Referring to the first edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival held at Yuksom in 2023, he highlighted the encouraging response received from participants and audiences. He expressed appreciation to the State Government for supporting an initiative that has emerged as a vibrant platform for artists, writers, scholars and cultural practitioners to engage in meaningful dialogue and creative exchange. He further informed that foreign ambassadors and renowned authors are expected to participate in the upcoming edition.
Highlighting the thematic focus of the festival, he stated that the sessions and workshops will encourage literary discourse and artistic engagement across a wide range of themes including wellbeing through art, climate and environment, illustration and visual storytelling, performing arts, science communication, wildlife conservation, storytelling across genres, art and translation, technology and creativity, poetry, and literary discourse on various genres of regional expressions including Nepali literature.
He further emphasised that the festival will also contribute towards strengthening Sikkim’s profile as a cultural and literary destination, thereby complementing the State’s tourism sector. He also informed that a dedicated website will be developed to facilitate registration and provide comprehensive information about the festival programme.
The second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival is scheduled to be held from April 26 to 28, 2026.
The meeting began with an overview of the objectives of the festival, followed by an interactive review of updates from the concerned line departments regarding planning, coordination and logistical arrangements.
The welcome address was delivered by Director, Katalytic Charter Foundation, Ms Kunzang Choeki, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Chairman, Students' Welfare Board, Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa.
The meeting was also attended by Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Yougan Tamang; Additional Political Secretary, Gangtok, to the Chief Minister, Mr Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha; OSD, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, to the Chief Minister, Mr Rewaj Chettri; Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Ms Annapurna Alley; Secretary, Excise Department, Ms Yishey Doma Yongda; Secretary, Education Department (School Education), Mr Tashi Chophel Lepcha; Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Ms Hondala Gyaltsen; DC, Gangtok, Mr Tushar Nikhare; Member, ITS, Dr Neeraj Adhikari; Commissioner, GMC, Mr Gayden Chopel; Chief Engineer, Culture Department, Mr Rimp Dorjee Lepcha; members of the Katalytic Charter Foundation; and senior officers from line departments and other stakeholders.