The fourteenth edition of the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) will take place from February 6-8, 2026 at the iconic Alhamra Arts Center, bringing together leading writers, historians, scholars and thinkers from Pakistan and across the world for three days of dialogue, debate and celebration of the literary arts.
Continuing its tradition as one of South Asia’s foremost literary gatherings, LLF 2026 will feature a diverse lineup of international and national figures, with sessions spanning literature, history, archaeology, geopolitics, poetry, regional languages and the arts. “The festival remains free and open to the public, reaffirming its commitment to accessibility and cultural exchange,” remarked festival director Nusrat Jamil.
Among the notable speakers attending this year’s event is Salima Ikram, the distinguished Pakistani Egyptologist and Professor at the American University in Cairo, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on ancient Egyptian history and archaeology. Also in attendance is Robin Lane Fox, Emeritus Fellow of New College, Oxford, the acclaimed author of Alexander the Great, The Classical World, Travelling Heroes, and Augustine: Conversions to Confessions, winner of the prestigious Wolfson Prize for History.
Among the international speakers participating is Michael Pembroke, an Australian geopolitical expert and author of Silk, Silver, Opium: The Trade with China that Changed History, reflecting LLF’s broader engagement with global political and historical narratives.
Leading Pakistani writers Mohsin Hamid and Kamila Shamsie are also scheduled to participate in sessions alongside emerging voices from the country’s literary scene. New Pakistani writers, such as When the Fireflies Dance author Aisha Hassan, as well as young poets and critics will feature in an eclectic program designed to reflect both contemporary concerns and enduring literary traditions.
In keeping with its longstanding commitment to linguistic diversity, LLF 2026 will feature several sessions in regional languages, including Punjabi and Seraiki.
Since its founding in 2012, the Lahore Literary Festival has established itself as a major cultural institution, playing a significant role in promoting Lahore’s literary heritage and contributing to its recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature. Over the years, LLF has hosted two Nobel Prize laureates in literature—Orhan Pamuk and Abdulrazak Gurnah—as well as Booker Prize winners such as Ben Okri, Damon Galgut, and Shehan Karunatilaka, drawing large audiences.
Apart from its annual Lahore event, LLF has expanded its global footprint with annual editions in New York, in partnership with the Asia Society, and in London, in collaboration with the Wimbledon Book Festival, strengthening cultural links between Pakistan and the wider world. Writers like Elif Shafak, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Kiran Desai, Romesh Gunesekera and others have participated in the overseas editions of LLF.
“LLF continues to serve as a vibrant platform for ideas, encouraging dialogue across borders, disciplines and generations,” noted Razi Ahmed, director of the LLF, “reaffirming Lahore’s historic role as a center of learning, creativity and intellectual exchange.”
Event Program
The complete three-day program is available below and can be downloaded here. As always, LLF is free and open to all.
You must be logged in to post a comment.