Kalinga Literary Festival 2017: #KLF2017 Goes International; 250 speakers to join this year

Central Theme Kalinga Literary Festival 2017: Literature in Peace and Harmony
KLF added Kalinga International Literary Award and Kalinga International Book Award
Over 250 international and national speakers to join KLF, the Largest Literary Kumbh in East India

Bhubaneswar: The fourth edition of Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) is here. This year during 10, 11 and 12th June the KLF will see renowned national and international writers, poets and literary experts sharing their experience, discussing and deliberating on the role of literature in peace and harmony. Eminent spiritual leaders, peace activists, war veterans, experts in conflict management and global development including international book prize awardees have agreed to join to celebrate the spirit of peace and harmony in the smart city of Bhubaneswar.

In last three editions KLF has made significant progress as a vibrant platform. KLF last year created great buzz about the role of literature and democracy and contributed to the national debate and global interest. This year the KLF platform has received several expressions of interest and appreciation from many leading writers, poets and academics from Asia, Australia, Europe and United States. KLF is going international.

This year KLF is launching Kalinga International Literary Award, Kalinga International Book Awards, Kalinga Adi Kabi Sarala Dash Young writers Award from 30 districts of Odisha, Kalinga Karubaki Sahitya Award (For Women). KLF also this year introducing new session namely Mystic Kalinga. Mystic Kalinga is designed to reveal and relish the mystic side of nature and human inquiry. We will have recitations, readings and performances to see, unveil, enjoy and immerse in the lyrical and musical beauty of mysticism that this world is made of.
From the inner sanctums of hearts to the deep jungles of life, from the adventurous shores of the beaches to the serenity of the caves, we will present you a kaleidoscopic view of the human ingenuity that the ancient Kalinga produced. Its a tribute to the Kalinga Spirit of engagement, peace, non-violence and inquiry. Its our return to Kalinga.

Kalinga International Literary Award is a life time achievement award intended to select a few leading names both at the senior and youth levels who have made inspiring contribution to literature. The priority will be given to authors who are from the Global South. Everyone is encouraged to apply or nominate. Importance would be given to works related to development of peace and harmony.

Kalinga International Book Award will be conferred on Fiction and Non-Fiction writers for their books that have focused on stories and developments that are set in the Global South. The book should have been published in 2015 and 2016. Authors published on themes related to Global South are encouraged to apply. The theme is Peace and Harmony.

Highlighting the need to go international, KLF Founder Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida said “three years of KLF have seen great voices in literature. This year we got several suggestions to expand the festival to reach out to global voices. This certainly will be a great value add for our young writers.” Over 25 books to be launched, Art Exhibition, Cultural Evening, State Partner, KLF Meeting with Ambassadors, KLF meeting with young leaders are intresting feature of this year KLF said Mr. Parida.

Creative Director Prof Kamala Kanta Dash strongly believes that Kalinga International Awards will expand the horizon of the KLF and Odisha literary scenario by translating the maxim of think global and act local. The focus on global south is deliberate so as to encourage writers of English from non-English speaking societies. An advisory body will select the books for awards.

It should be noted the Kalinga Literary Festival is organised by Odisha Diary Foundation and Odisha Media Info Service Pvt Ltd. Both these organisation have started and nurtured platforms like Odisha Diary and India Education Diary and popular initiatives like Odisha Living Legend and Youth Inspiration Awards.

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