The second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 opened at The Ridge Park, Gangtok, with a welcome address by Aditya Golay, Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Soreng-Chakung, and a keynote address by Raju Basnet, Education Minister, Government of Sikkim.
Presented by the Students’ Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and produced by Teamwork Arts, the three-day festival brought together writers, thinkers, artists, and musicians to celebrate literature, the arts, and the rich cultural traditions of Sikkim and the wider Himalayan region.
In his keynote address, Raju Basnet highlighted Sikkim’s diverse communities and traditions as a source of strength. He emphasised the importance of reading, imagination and creative expression among young people, and underlined the need to encourage writing in every mother tongue so that no child feels their language is too small for creative expression.
The opening day featured literary conversations and musical performances that explored history, culture and the creative process.
In ‘A Life in History’, celebrated historian and author William Dalrymple was in conversation with Tashi Chophel. The session explored the intersections of history and storytelling and the ways in which historical narratives shape our understanding of the world.
The evening continued with ‘Celebrating the Legends of Ghazal’, a musical tribute by Aagaaz to the long tradition of ghazal music and its celebrated voices. The performance brought the poetry and emotional depth of the form to the festival stage.
Audiences also engaged with ‘Indian Ocean Unplugged’, a conversation featuring members of the iconic Indian Ocean band and Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts. The discussion explored the band’s musical journey, its influences and the distinctive sound that has shaped its place in contemporary Indian music.
Speaking about the festival, Aditya Golay, Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Soreng-Chakung, said, “Sikkim has long been a meeting point of cultures, traditions and ideas, shaped by centuries of exchange across the Himalayas. The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival is an opportunity to celebrate this rich heritage and open up new conversations around literature, art and creativity. We want to nurture a reading culture, inspire our young people to explore creative pursuits and create opportunities for Sikkim’s voices and stories to reach wider audiences. With every edition, we hope to strengthen Sikkim’s place as a home for literature, art and ideas.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, said, “Sikkim has a rich cultural and literary tradition, and its stories deserve a wider audience. Through the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival, in association with the Students’ Welfare Board and the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, we hope to create opportunities for young people to engage with literature, the arts and creativity, which are at the heart of the future creative economy and innovation sector. The festival aims to provide a much-needed platform for local voices, writers, musicians and artists, fostering cross-cultural dialogue within India and with the wider world.
The festival continues until 30 October, with further literary conversations, discussions, poetry and musical performances planned over the next two days. The programme offers audiences the opportunity to engage with writers and artists from Sikkim and beyond.
The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 takes place from 28 to 30 October at The Ridge Park, Gangtok. Presented by the Students’ Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and produced by Teamwork Arts, the festival is an initiative of the Government of Sikkim to encourage literary engagement, creative expression and cultural exchange.
