Apeejay Bangla
11 years, countless stories! Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob returns with a bang
The 11th edition of India's premier Bengali literary festival, Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU), curated by Oxford Bookstores, is set to take place from November 7 to 9 at the iconic century-old Oxford Bookstore, Park Street, a cherished cultural landmark that has long been the cradle of literary thought and conversation.
This three-day literary celebration promises to bring together luminaries from the world of Bengali literature, art and culture to explore the soul of Bangaliaana.
Announcing the Utsob, Swagat Sengupta, Festival Director and CEO of Oxford Bookstores, said, “As the Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob steps into its 11th edition after completing a decade, we are humbled to witness how a long-cherished vision has grown into a much-loved celebration of Bangla literature and culture. This journey has been made possible by the unswerving support of literary luminaries, authors, publishers, partners and most importantly by our patrons and audience who continue to inspire us every year. This year’s edition thoughtfully weaves together diverse themes, including centenary tributes to iconic Bengali stalwarts, explorations of cinema, publishing, education and poetry. To make the festival more accessible, we will also be sharing all recorded sessions on our YouTube channel after the event, ensuring that the spirit of Bangla literature reaches global audiences.”
Conceptualized in 2015, ABSU has evolved into a vibrant platform that embraces the past, present and future of Bangla literature through thought provoking dialogues, poetry readings, performances and debates.
The 2025 edition will feature a diverse and dynamic line-up of speakers- celebrated authors, poets, filmmakers, actors, journalists, researchers, academicians, musicians and cultural icons, alongside emerging voices redefining the contours of contemporary Bangla writing.
Eminent Speakers and Partners of ABSU 2025
This year’s Utsob will welcome an illustrious line-up of speakers and cultural figures, including Anindya Chatterjee, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Anjan Dutt, Aparajita Dasgupta, Aveek Majumder, Bratya Basu, Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee, Mir Afsar Ali, Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Samik Bandyopadhyay, Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay, Shankar Chakraborty, Sharmila Maiti, Shiladitya Sen, Shyamali Acharya, Srijato, Subarna Basu, Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey and Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri among others who continue to shape the intellectual and creative landscape of Bengal.
Adding to the literary celebration, Cha Bar joins as the Refreshment Partner, bringing the aroma of freshly brewed conversations to life. Shabdabaaji, Surojit-O-Bondhura Kobita Club and Human & Emotion Learning are the Session Partners at ABSU 2025, supporting the festival’s objective to bridge creativity, community and culture.
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