Ahmedabad International Literature Festival

The Ahmedabad International Literature Festival, commonly known as AILF, is an annual literary festival held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It is an initiative of the Ikon Education Foundation and provides a platform for conversations around literature, ideas, culture and society.

The programme brings together authors, poets, journalists, educators, artists and readers through panel discussions, workshops, book launches, poetry, music and cultural performances.

• Late October — The festival is generally presented as a two-day literary programme.
• Exact dates — These are announced for each edition and can vary from year to year.

Literary dialogue — AILF creates space for writers and readers to discuss books, ideas, language, society and creative practice.

Learning and exchange — Talks and workshops encourage young readers, emerging writers and wider audiences to engage with literature and storytelling.

Cultural connection — The festival also connects literary discussion with Gujarat's wider cultural life through performances, art and conversations across creative fields.

AILF was established in the mid-2010s by Umashanker Yadav as an initiative of the Ikon Education Foundation. It developed into a recurring literary platform in Ahmedabad, with programmes involving speakers from literature, cinema, journalism, governance and the arts.

Across successive editions, the festival has expanded its mix of panel discussions, workshops, book launches, competitions and cultural performances while retaining its focus on literature and public dialogue.

At the festival — Visitors attend author conversations, panel discussions, readings, workshops, book launches and cultural performances.

For students and emerging writers — Young participants can take part in writing-oriented activities, competitions, discussions and learning sessions.

For readers — Audiences can listen to authors and speakers, exchange ideas, discover books and participate in conversations about literature and society.

The programme generally moves between opening sessions, panel discussions, author interactions, workshops and literary presentations, with book launches, readings and cultural performances forming part of the wider schedule. Sessions may cover fiction, poetry, journalism, cinema, education, social issues, language and other subjects connected with storytelling and public life.

Ahmedabad — The festival is rooted in Ahmedabad and draws on the city's literary, educational and cultural communities.

Gujarat — Gujarati language and culture form an important part of the festival's local setting, while the programme also welcomes speakers and subjects from beyond the state.

Wider India — Participants can come from different parts of India and represent multiple literary languages, professional backgrounds and creative disciplines.

• Author and speaker panel discussions
• Literary readings and conversations
• Writing workshops and masterclasses
• Book launches and presentations
• Poetry sessions
• Literary competitions
• Music and cultural performances

Books — Represent reading, knowledge and the written word at the centre of the festival.

Open stage — Represents public conversation between writers, speakers and audiences.

Microphone and lectern — Common visual elements of author talks, readings and panel discussions.

Literary programme — Reflects the festival's combination of writing, dialogue, learning and cultural expression.

• AILF is an initiative of the Ikon Education Foundation.
• The festival was founded by Umashanker Yadav.
• Its programme has included speakers from literature, cinema, governance and the arts.
• Sessions can include panel discussions, writing workshops, book launches, competitions and cultural performances.
• The festival has a particular focus on encouraging interest in literature among young people.
• Gujarati language and culture form part of the festival's Ahmedabad setting while its programme reaches beyond a single literary tradition.