The much-anticipated Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is set to return with its 2026 edition, promising an extraordinary confluence of diverse global voices. Scheduled to run for five days from January 15, 2026, the festival has unveiled a remarkable list of first-time speakers, blending icons from comedy, chess, science, sports, and global politics.
A Galaxy of Debutants Across Fields
The festival's stage will witness the maiden appearances of several luminaries. Comedy superstar Vir Das and chess legend Viswanathan Anand are poised to bring their unique perspectives to the literary gathering. They will be joined by Archana Sharma, a senior physicist at CERN renowned for her groundbreaking work in particle physics.
From the world of sports and digital culture, cricketer Shikhar Dhawan and influential content creator Anurag Minus Verma will make their debuts, adding contemporary socio-cultural commentary to the mix. Adding significant political weight, former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will also appear for the first time, expected to lead conversations on geopolitics, identity, and the challenges facing modern democracies.
Returning Icons and Fresh Literary Voices
The arts and criticism segment will be enriched by the return of historian Debra Diamond after her 2013 appearance and broadcaster Andrew Graham-Dixon who last attended in 2014. They will be joined by debutant curator Helen Molesworth.
The literary roster of first-time attendees is equally impressive, featuring Canadian Anishinaabe journalist Tanya Talaga and Bhutanese writer Kunzang Choden Roder. They will share the platform with celebrated returning voices like nature poet Alice Oswald (last at JLF in 2023) and feminist icon Volga (last seen in 2017).
This diverse group joins an already confirmed list of global speakers including:
- Daisy Rockwell
- Kiran Desai
- Deepa Bhasthi
- Esther Freud
- Jeet Thayil
- Richard Flanagan
- Ruchir Joshi
- Sonya Rhie Mace
- Nobel laureate economist Esther Duflo
- Former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian
A Global Platform for Discourse and Storytelling
The organisers, Teamwork Arts, have curated a group encompassing Nobel and Booker Prize winners, Sahitya Akademi awardees, historians, scientists, poets, and philanthropists. Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, stated that with the final speakers confirmed, the 2026 edition solidifies JLF's position as a premier global platform.
"This year's festival offers a unique opportunity to engage, inspire, and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling," Roy said, highlighting the convergence of creativity, discourse, and cultural exchange that defines the event.
The Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental edition, bridging seemingly disparate worlds—from the cricket pitch and chessboard to particle accelerators and political corridors—all under the banner of literature and ideas.
