The second edition of the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival (SALF) 2026 will be held from April 26 to 28 at Ridge Park in Gangtok, bringing together leading writers, thinkers, and artists from India and abroad. The festival, an initiative of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, is presented by the Students’ Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Teamwork Arts, producers of the Jaipur Literature Festival. The festival will feature noted names including Mamang Dai, Namita Gokhale, Ranjit Hoskote, Robin S. Ngangom, and William Dalrymple, alongside a diverse line-up of authors, poets, and cultural voices. Key sessions include “The Golden Road”, “The Wild Pulse”, and “Echoes of Verse”, covering themes such as literature, ecology, identity, and mental health.
MLA Aditya Golay said the festival reflects Sikkim’s commitment to cultural exchange, while Students’ Welfare Board Chairman Sonam Chopel Sherpa highlighted its role in inspiring youth. Sanjoy K. Roy and Syed Shams Jawaid emphasised its global relevance and inclusive platform.
Travel operators and hospitality stakeholders in Siliguri expect increased tourist movement during the festival period, with Gangtok-bound bookings likely to rise. The event is anticipated to boost regional tourism-linked trade, benefiting transport, hotels, and local businesses connected to the Sikkim route.
