Srinagar, July 26: The third edition of the Chinar Book Festival 2026 concluded at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, after a nine-day celebration of books, literature, culture and creativity, attracting thousands of visitors from across Kashmir.

Organised by the National Book Trust, India in collaboration with the District Administration Srinagar and other partners, the festival witnessed participation from over 200 publishers, 800 authors and artists, along with students, families and book lovers.
The festival recorded daily footfall of nearly 57,000–73,000 on weekdays, crossing one lakh on weekends, making it one of Kashmir’s biggest literary events.
Themed “Together We Read, Together We Lead”, the event featured literary discussions, cultural programmes, book launches, children’s activities, innovation showcases and interactions with prominent personalities, including astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, actor Rakesh Bedi and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali.
A major highlight was the 5K Reading Marathon, where over 4,644 students participated along Dal Lake, earning recognition from the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for promoting reading and environmental awareness.
The festival also showcased Kashmir’s rich heritage through sessions on literature, cinema, theatre, crafts, languages and women’s leadership, while the Children’s Corner engaged young visitors through storytelling, workshops and creative activities.
On the concluding day, a special play “Markar Jeena” was staged to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers.
National Book Trust Chairman Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe and Director Shri Yuvraj Malik highlighted the festival’s role in promoting reading culture and literary tourism in Kashmir. Chief Convenor Dr. Amit Wanchoo said the overwhelming response reflected the growing interest of youth and families in literature and creative expression.
With its successful third edition, the Chinar Book Festival has further strengthened Srinagar’s position as a hub for literary and cultural engagement.