Over the three years since its inception, the Chinar Book Festival is proof of the increasing emphasis placed on education, literature, and cultural growth in Kashmir. Each festival has seen more participants and an increased belief that through knowledge, creativity, and dialogue, societies prosper. The readers of today may be teachers, scientists, authors, artists, and leaders of tomorrow. Every read page gets us closer to a better-educated and more understanding society. Investment in books means investment in people and in Kashmir’s future.”
Shoiab Mohmmad Bhat
Between 18 and 26 July 2026, the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar hosted thousands of readers, authors, teachers, students and publishers at the 3rd Chinar Book Festival. In the last three years, this festival has become one of the biggest literary events of Jammu and Kashmir, representing the growing love of books and knowledge of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The book fair saw the presence of people from all walks of life with an equal passion for reading and learning.
People browsing the aisles came across books on literature, history, science, technology, philosophy, religion, children’s books and competitive examinations, among others. Students looked for books on topics they were interested in, teachers recommended good books, parents acquainted children with the pleasures of reading, and the passionate reader discovered new authors.
A Festival That Inspires Every Generation
Books continue to link the generations together. Be it a kid with a storybook, a college student with research material, or an old man reading his favourite classic, they all enjoy the same experience of discovering some meaning. The Chinar Book Festival made use of such an opportunity and created an environment in which learning was made enjoyable and accessible to all.
This festival also provided opportunities for discussions that otherwise cannot be seen in a regular classroom environment. The authors interacted with their readers, the publishers presented their new editions, and the literary lovers exchanged ideas about the books that formed their ideology.
“Together We Read, Together We Live” A Shared Vision
With the third year of the festival approaching, a slogan resonated throughout the entire venue, saying, “Together We Read, Together We Live.” This slogan reflected the true spirit of the celebration since it highlighted the potential of reading in bringing people together through wisdom, empathy, and understanding.
Reading starts as an individual process but eventually turns into a social process as well. Every single book helps in broadening the horizons, every story promotes empathy, and each reader is a part of building a wiser society.
Learning Beyond Classrooms
The Chinar Book Festival breathed life into learning itself. Discussions, debates, launches, poetry reading and interaction helped people learn about various issues which were not even part of their academic curriculum. Youngsters sat with eagerness to listen, pose relevant questions, and learn that there is much more to education than just exams.
Such moments make students realise that learning never stops in life. Books are still the best friends long after formal education is over.
When Literature Meets Cinema
One of the most interesting discussions at the festival was with the celebrated filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and Dr Amit Wanchoo. Talking about storytelling, spirituality and films, he mentioned how the idea of the famous song “Kun Faya Kun” took shape. He shared how the holy book of the Quran, the Rig Veda, and spiritual knowledge have shaped him as a creator.
This discussion highlighted the point that good storytelling happens by reading, contemplating and being open to various traditions. This encouraged young aspirants to derive energy from literature and write stories.
From Classrooms To Space
Another important guest who was there was Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is an Indian Air Force officer as well as an astronaut, whose interaction with students turned out to be one of the most memorable aspects of the festival. Through his experiences in his recent journey into space, he spoke about science, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
His motivational speech instilled curiosity in the minds of students and motivated them to develop a love for reading and belief in the strength of education. Any scientific discovery always starts with a question, and every such discovery keeps evolving only through learning.
Celebrating Kashmir’s Literary Heritage
The event became an excellent platform for local authors and publishers to promote their books that had elements of Kashmiri history, culture, language, and traditions. They were able to interact with the audience through books about the literary history of the Valley.
Moreover, upcoming authors could feel encouraged by discussing their work with established authors and devoted readers. It is a great way of developing the literary scene in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
A Global Exchange Of Ideas
The inclusion of guest speakers from India and other parts of the world made the festival experience more enriching still. These included Dutch environmentalist Ellis Hubertina Spaanderman, who went around visiting book stalls and engaging in conversation with students and other readers. She was impressed with the lively literary culture of Kashmir and termed the festival an inspirational place wherein books act as bridges of communication between people from different backgrounds and generations. She felt reading creates dialogues with a feeling of social and environmental responsibility.
Building A Reading Culture Beyond The Festival
But the success of Chinar Book Festival is not confined to the nine-day festival itself. The real success lies in the reading culture which is developed by it even after the last book stall is closed. Reading clubs, literary discussions, interaction with authors and book distribution programmes can be organised in schools, colleges, universities, libraries and other community organisations for continuing the enthusiasm created by the book festival.
Parents have a very significant role in developing a reading habit among their children. If a child spends his or her childhood in an atmosphere where books are respected, he or she develops curiosity, imagination and confidence.
Books: Our Silent Teachers And Lifelong Companions
Teachers will always be our first mentors and guides who lay the foundations of knowledge, principles and character. With each phase of life, classrooms change, and the journey of teachers progresses along with them, but not the company of books. The teachings of the teachers will not wear out with time. Each page carries something new to think about.
Books are a source of all the wisdom that is collected by various scholars, scientists, philosophers, poets and other great minds who have made this world what it is today. They give us access to different histories, cultures and concepts that define our world. In times of doubt, books give us strength, a perspective and support because we can think freely on the pages of books.
The 3rd Chinar Book Festival was an elegant celebration of the unique bond between the reader and the book. Each book present on the shelves carried the potential to educate.
The Timeless Voice Of Books
The atmosphere of the festival finds a beautiful reflection in these timeless Urdu verses:
Kitaabein Karti Hai Baatein Guzre Huwe Waqtu Ki
Sunein To Dil Me Utarti Hai Ruttein Pichhle Barsu Ki
“The books remind us of the past; if we listen carefully enough, they bring the seasons of the past to life in our hearts.”
This quote represents the beautiful essence of reading. The books hold the memories of generations, transfer the experience from one period of time to another and keep history alive through each of their pages. Books allow readers to be linked to people from other eras to learn about the past and prepare for the future.
A Promising Future For Kashmir
Over the three years since its inception, the Chinar Book Festival is proof of the increasing emphasis placed on education, literature and cultural growth in Kashmir. Each festival has seen more participants, as well as an increased belief that it is through knowledge, creativity and dialogue that societies prosper.
In the future of Jammu and Kashmir, which promises to be one built around innovations and learning, efforts such as the Chinar Book Festival are bound to produce opportunities that will open the eyes of young minds to their own potential. The readers of today may be teachers, scientists, authors, artists, businessmen and leaders of tomorrow.
It is a way to remind people that literature is for everyone. The festival opens its doors for children who find their first literary piece of work, students preparing for competitive exams, researchers looking for answers and people with a thirst for more knowledge. Everyone here makes up a culture where books are an integral part of people’s lives.
Through simple reading, the 3rd Chinar Book Festival showcased the power of imagination and connections between people amazingly. This is what the beautiful slogan of the event states, “Together We Read, Together We Live.” Every read page gets us closer to a better-educated and more understanding society. The festival will always leave with us the legacy that investment in books means investment in people and in Kashmir’s future.
The writer is a social educator and researcher, holding a master’s in Gender Studies and a BEd
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