Children at a puppet making session during the last edition of Vizag Junior Lit Fest at Hawa Mahal in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The fourth edition of Vizag Junior Lit Fest organized by Lit Lantern Culture and Literature Society is scheduled to take place on November 8 and 9 at Hawa Mahal. Envisioned as a platform where young minds connect over literature and creative expression, this year the festival promises a broader canvas of ideas and participation. With 20 speakers and a theater group, it will host 102 sessions featuring writers, illustrators, cartoonists and life skills trainers who will interact with children and parents through workshops and discussions. Registration for paid sessions will start from October 11, enrollment will open from 10 am onwards at Tanishq, Page Book Store and Book Magic Library on VIP Road. Organizers say they expect strong participation from schools and families across the city, reflecting the growing interest among young readers and teachers in meaningful literary engagement.
Children coming out of a session during the last edition of Vizag Junior Lit Fest in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
This year’s participants include Abhishek Talwar, Asha Nehemiah, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Ajit Narayan, Ameen Haq, Ankit Dwivedi, Devika Cariappa, Vikram Sridhar, Jyoti Pandey and Vaishali Shroff. The focus of the upcoming edition moves beyond reading and writing to personality development, skill enhancement and topics that resonate deeply with children and young adults. Discussions on body positivity, mindfulness, wellness and leadership skills will take center stage, along with sessions inspired by real-life stories of courage and transformation. This year, the festival also introduces an element of storytelling sessions by Dipna Daryanani that incorporate movement into storytelling, designed to help children experience and express stories through performance and rhythm. The organizers have structured the sessions keeping in mind different age groups and levels of participation. For children, there will be interactive workshops with authors and illustrators who will explore how stories are created and how characters come to life on the page. Life skills coaches will conduct sessions that blend literature with self-awareness, encouraging participants to look inward while learning to express themselves confidently.
Children during a session at the Vizag Junior Lit Fest in Visakhapatnam. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The festival also includes sessions for adults who come with their young readers. Workshops on storytelling and games, talks on turning passive social media browsing into active creativity, and discussions on reading habits and pursuing careers in the creative industries are among the highlights. There will be sessions on self-publishing and the emerging landscape of creative work for aspiring writers, teachers and parents who want to nurture an environment of curiosity at home. Anticipated performances this year include The Sound of Music and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, staged by Mumbai’s Helen O’Grady team.
Registrations will start on October 11 at 10 am at Tanishq, Page Book Store and Book Magic Library on VIP Road. For details, contact 9866628484.
published – October 10, 2025 08:54 am IST