Ghazipur Literature Festival

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Ghazipur Literature Festival 2025

Ghazipur

07 November 2025

12 PM

Ghazipur Literature Festival (GLF) is a bold celebration of Ghazipur’s literary, historical, and cultural legacy, uniting authors, scholars, poets, filmmakers, and artists to revive and amplify regional narratives. By preserving history, bridging local and national discourse, and honoring Bhojpuri’s global footprint, GLF puts Ghazipur on the national map. Its Girmitiya connection makes it international, bringing Bhojpuri voices from Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Fiji, Norway, and other countries, creating a global dialogue on shared heritage and identity.

Ghazipur Literature Festival (GLF) is a bold and visionary celebration of Ghazipur’s rich literary, historical, and cultural legacy. Situated on the banks of the Ganga and often overshadowed in mainstream discourse, Ghazipur has birthed some of the greatest thinkers, poets, revolutionaries, and storytellers of India. GLF brings together a powerful confluence of authors, scholars, poets, journalists, historians, filmmakers, musicians, and performing artists to honor and amplify the region’s invaluable contributions to India’s civilizational narrative.

More than a festival, GLF is a movement to revive regional pride, by putting Ghazipur on the national map of literature, culture, and intellectual dialogue. It aims to bridge the long-standing gap between local voices and national platforms, creating space for Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and Hindi narratives that have long remained underrepresented. The event will include keynotes, panel discussions, book launches, poetry readings, film screenings, craft exhibits, and folk performances—all curated to spotlight the district’s glorious past and dynamic present.

One of GLF’s most powerful dimensions is its Girmitiya connection. Ghazipur and surrounding regions were among the major sources of indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) during colonial times, who were sent to countries like Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Fiji, and even Norway. Their descendants still speak Bhojpuri and carry emotional ties to their ancestral land. GLF seeks to reconnect this global diaspora with their roots, making it an international celebration of language, identity, and shared heritage.

By preserving history, honoring local heroes, and promoting cultural exchange, GLF is poised to become the largest and most impactful literary festival ever held in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, marking Ghazipur not only as a centre of heritage but also as a vibrant voice in global literary and cultural conversations.

Objectives

Celebrate Ghazipur’s Legacy: To honour the region’s rich literary, cultural, and historical contributions through a vibrant and inclusive festival.

Bridge Local & National Narratives: To bring regional voices, especially in Hindi and Bhojpuri, into mainstream literary and intellectual discourse.

Revive and Promote Bhojpuri Identity: To preserve and showcase Bhojpuri language, folklore, theatre, and music as powerful tools of storytelling.

Reconnect Girmitiya Diaspora: To create a cultural homecoming by inviting Bhojpuri-speaking communities from Mauritius, Trinidad, Fiji, and beyond.

Place Ghazipur on the Global Map: To establish Ghazipur as a key destination for cultural dialogue, literary excellence, and heritage tourism.

Special Guests for GLF 2025

Confirmed Speakers

Festival Highlights & Agenda

📍 Curtain Raiser in Varanasi, Main Event in Ghazipur

📅 Dates: 7th–9th November 2025

🔹 Literary Showcases

Keynotes, panel discussions, and debates featuring renowned authors, poets, and scholars such as Dr Kuber Nath rai, Dr Viveki Rai, Rahi Masoom Raza
Sessions in Hindi, Bhojpuri, and English on literature, society, heritage, folk, art, music, cinema, language, contemporary politics and the development

🔹 Cultural & Historical Dialogues

Heritage panels on Pawhari Baba, Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, Baba Keenaram etc
Discussions on Ghazipur’s pre & post-Independence political and social legacy remembering Dr. Shiv Pujan Rai, Dr. Mukhtar Ansari, Sarjoo Pandey, Vishwanath Singh Gahmari

🔹 Global Girmitiya Connect

Special sessions with delegates from Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad & Suriname
Diaspora dialogues on identity, migration, and Bhojpuri language’s global journey

🔹 Bhojpuri & Cinema Excellence

Tributes to Nazir Hussain, father of Bhojpuri cinema
Film screenings, conversations with filmmakers, and theatre performances

🔹 Shree Lal Shukla Centenary Track (IFFCO Special)

Panel: Raag Darbari – Aaj, Kal aur Kal
Book Exhibition, AV presentation, and an award in his name

🔹 Art, Music, & Performance

Kavi Sammelan, Mushayara, folk music, and cultural performances
Handicrafts & local art exhibitions celebrating Ghazipur’s creative traditions

🔹 Interactive Experiences

Book launches, open mics, heritage walks, and food festivals
Sightseeing trails connecting history with modern narratives

🔹 Media & Broadcast

Live telecast on Bharat Express News, reaching over 30 million viewers