Symbiosis Literary Festival
The Symbiosis Literary Festival (SLF) is an annual celebration of literature, ideas, and culture hosted by Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA) under Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune. Rooted in the university’s ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family, the festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, playwrights, journalists, policymakers, artists, students, and readers for two days of meaningful conversations and creative exchange. Since its inception in 2018, SLF has grown into a signature public event of the university, welcoming participants from within and beyond Pune.
The festival offers a rich, carefully curated programme that spans author sessions, panel discussions, in-conversation events, book readings, theatre and lecture-demonstrations, poetry performances, workshops, and interactive youth-focused activities. Over two immersive days, attendees can listen to leading thinkers unpack the politics of language, the craft of storytelling, the future of publishing, cinema and society, history and memory, as well as emerging forms of digital and experimental writing.
At its heart, the Symbiosis Literary Festival is powered by students and faculty. Conceptualised and organised by SSLA with support from Symbiosis International (Deemed University), the festival offers students hands-on experience in curation, production, research, outreach, design, media, and event management. This student-driven model infuses the festival with energy, openness, and experimentation, while also transforming the campus into a living classroom where learning extends beyond the walls of traditional lecture halls. For authors and speakers, SLF provides a vibrant academic environment; for students and visitors, it is an inviting space to question, reflect, and discover new reading journeys.
Each edition of the Symbiosis Literary Festival is built around a strong thematic core that responds to contemporary realities and the changing world of stories, media, and expression.
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SLF – 2025
The SLF-2025 sixth edition is themed “Ink, Ideas, and Inspiration”, inviting audiences to explore how stories take shape, travel, and transform society at a time when new technologies are reshaping authorship, authenticity, and creativity. SLF 2025 features an impressive line-up including Dr. Shashi Tharoor as Chief Guest at the inaugural, along with cultural icons and celebrated voices such as Javed Akhtar, Pavan K. Varma, and Sushama Deshpande, among many others, who together reflect the festival’s bridge between literature, cinema, art, and public life.
SLF – 2024
The SLF-2024 fifth edition has carried the tagline “Conversations that Matter”, foregrounding SLF’s commitment to literature as a space for critical thought and public dialogue on issues such as democracy, identity, gender, mental health, sustainability, and the environment.
SLF – 2023
The SLF-2023 fourth edition spans two days of keynotes, panels, and book discussions featuring leading scholars, writers, journalists, and cultural figures. Sessions address traditional knowledge and heritage diplomacy, AI and the future of language, culinary tourism, watchdog journalism, and regional media’s role in shaping public opinion with Usha Uthup, Saumya Roy, Javed Akhtar, Girish Kuber, Prof. R. A. Mashelkar and prominent media professionals. – We can provide the direct YouTube link to watch
SLF – 2022