Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad International Book Festival (AIBF) 2024 will take place from 30th November to 8th December at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in the city. The nine-day-long festival promises an engaging literary experience.

The event will feature over 100 literary sessions across five stages: Pragya Shivir (Children’s Pavilion), Shabd Samsara (Authors’ Corner), Gyaan Ganga (Creative Workshops), International Literary Stage, Culinary Literature Stage (Rasoi aur Kitaab), Rangmanch (Cultural Stage), and Abhiklap (Design+).

The list of speakers includes participants from Spain, Sri Lanka, Poland, Denmark, Scotland, Singapore, UAE, and celebrated Gujarati authors. Notable speakers include Padma Shri Raghuveer Chaudhary, Padma Shri Kumar Pal Desai, Padma Shri Jagdish Trivedi, Padma Shri Shahbuddin Rathod, Monika Halan, Ram Mori, E.V. Ramakrishnan, Saurabh Bajaj, William Dalrymple, Guillermo Rodriguez Martin, Monica Kowaleczko-Szumowska, and Mette Johansson.

Here is a list of speakers at some sessions during the book festival:

INTERNATIONAL STAGE

November 30th, 2024 (Saturday):

• 7:15 – 7:45 PM: In Search of Soma: From the Vedas to the Poetry of A.K. Ramanujan

Speaker: Guillermo Rodriguez Martin.

This session will explore the ancient Vedic concept of Soma and its influence on the poetry of A.K. Ramanujan.

December 2nd, 2024 (Monday):

• 7:15 – 7:45 PM: The Maharaja’s Refuge: A Story of Hope During WWII

Speaker: Shania Sarup and Monica Kowaleczko-Szumowska

Sarup and Kowaleczko-Szumowska will discuss the story of a Maharaja who provided refuge to refugees during World War II.

December 3rd, 2024 (Tuesday):

• 7:15 – 7:45 PM: Bridging Borders, Bonding Through Books: Celebrating Indo-Sri Lankan Literary Ties

Speaker: V.V. Pathmaseeli.

This session will explore the literary connections between India and Sri Lanka.

December 5th, 2024 (Thursday):

• 7:15 – 7:45 PM: Narratives: The Stories that Hold Women Back at Work

Speaker: Mette Johansson.

At the AIBF, Johansson will lead a discussion debunking the persistent misconceptions about gender and leadership.

December 7th, 2024 (Saturday):

• 7:15 – 7:45 PM: The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World

Speaker: William Dalrymple.

The speaker will explore the historical and cultural impact of ancient India on the world.

LITERARY SESSIONS

December 1st, 2024 (Sunday):

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: Gazal Samelan

Speakers: Rajesh Vyash Miskin, Bharat Bhatt, Dina Shah, Sanju Vala, Rajendr Shukla.

Renowned poets join forces to bring to AIBF an evening of gazals

Renowned poets gather for an evening of gazals and poetic reflection at AIBF.

• 5:45 – 6:15 PM: Cultural Narratives in Indian Cinema

Speakers: Kulpreet Yadav, Charudutt Acharya, and Utpal Borpujari.

This session will unfold the diverse cultural narratives and inspirations shaping Indian cinema today.

December 2nd, 2024 (Monday):

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: Panel Discussion Varta ni Varta on Gujarat Sahitya – વાતાની વાતા

Speakers: Raghavji Madhad & Ram Mori.

This session will feature a panel discussion on Gujarati literature.

• 5:45 – 6:15 PM: Let’s Talk Money

Speaker: Monika Halan.

Author of the bestselling Let’s Talk Money will discuss financial literacy and money management.

December 4th, 2024 (Wednesday):

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: Panel Discussion Hasya Gujarat – ‘હાયતરંગ‘

Speakers: Ratilal Borisagar, Padma Shri Jagdish Trivedi, and Padma Shri Shahbuddin Rathod.

This session will feature a panel discussion on the wit and wisdom Gujarati humor.

• 5:45 – 6:15 PM: Session “Undercover Heroines: Reimagining the Role of Women”

Speakers: Savie Karnel and Kiran Manral.

The panel deconstructs the roles of women in shaping historical and literary narratives.

• 6:30 – 7:00 PM: Bhasha Literatures in a Globalized World: The Way Ahead

Speaker: EV Ramakrishnan.

This session will discuss the future of regional languages in a globalized world.

December 5th, 2024 (Thursday):

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: Dastan Goi – ‘કથાકથન‘

Speaker: Hiten Anandpara and Team.

A storytelling session in Gujarati.

• 5:45 – 6:15 PM: Gods Dancing Among Men

Speaker: Pushpa Kurup.

This session will explore the mythological tales of gods and their interactions with humans.

• 6:30 – 7:00 PM: Melody and Emotion: The Heart of Hindi Film Songs

Speakers: Amitabh Verma and Rajiv Vijayakar.

This session will delve into the world of Hindi film music and its emotional impact on audiences.

December 7th, 2024 (Saturday):

• 5:00 – 5:30 PM: New Face of Gujarati Cinema

Speaker: Manish Saini.

The director of National Film Award winning film Dhh will talk about the present state of Gujarati cinema and its evolution over the years.