Unmesha International Literature Festival 2025 (third edition)was inaugurated by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in Patna on 25 September 2025. The four-day festival brought together more than 550 writers, poets, scholars, translators, publishers and cultural personalities from India and abroad.
Held until 28 September 2025, the festival represented more than 100 languages and dialects, providing a platform for literary discussions, cultural exchange and international dialogue.
Organised by the Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Government of Bihar, Unmesha aimed to celebrate the diversity of literature and promote understanding among different cultures.
During the inaugural address, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan highlighted the role of literature in restoring human dignity and strengthening the values of humanity in an age increasingly influenced by economic competition and digital technology.
Unmesha Literature Festival 2025: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Festival | Unmesha: International Literature Festival |
| Edition | Third |
| Dates | 25–28 September 2025 |
| Venue | Patna, Bihar |
| Inaugurated By | Arif Mohammad Khan |
| Position | Governor of Bihar at the time |
| Organiser | Sahitya Akademi |
| Collaborators | Ministry of Culture and Government of Bihar |
| Participants | More than 550 |
| Languages Represented | More than 100 |
| International Participation | Around 15–16 countries |
What Is Unmesha International Literature Festival?
Unmesha is an international literary festival organised to bring together writers, poets, translators, publishers, scholars and cultural personalities from different parts of the world.
The festival provides a common platform for people working in different languages and literary traditions to exchange ideas and experiences.
It focuses on the importance of literature in connecting societies, preserving cultural heritage and encouraging dialogue across national and linguistic boundaries.
The third edition was held in Patna in September 2025. The festival featured 90 sessions over four days, covering a wide range of literary and cultural subjects.
Its inclusive approach encouraged participation from both established literary personalities and emerging voices.
Inauguration by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan inaugurated the third edition of Unmesha on 25 September 2025.
In his inaugural address, he emphasised the importance of literature in preserving the dignity and purpose of humanity.
He observed that modern society is experiencing rapid changes due to economic competition, technological development and digital dominance. While these changes create new opportunities, they can also contribute to confusion, superficiality and a loss of deeper human values.
The Governor highlighted spirituality as an important element of literature and called upon writers, poets, artists and thinkers to contribute to building a “universal republic of letters.”
His message encouraged the literary community to work towards a global society based on understanding, compassion and shared human values.
More Than 550 Participants from Across the World
One of the most important features of Unmesha 2025 was its international participation.
More than 550 writers, poets, scholars, translators, publishers and other cultural personalities participated in the festival.
The event represented more than 100 languages and dialects, highlighting the diversity of literary traditions.
The festival brought together participants from different countries and provided opportunities for:
- Literary discussions and debates.
- Poetry readings and storytelling.
- Translation and language exchange.
- Cultural presentations.
- Discussions on contemporary literature.
- Interaction between writers and readers.
- Exchange of ideas across different literary traditions.
This international participation helped create a platform where different cultures and languages could be understood through literature.
Organisers of Unmesha 2025
The third edition of Unmesha was organised by the Sahitya Akademi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Government of Bihar.
1. Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi is India’s National Academy of Letters. It was formally inaugurated on 12 March 1954.
Its main objective is to promote Indian literature and encourage literary activities in the country’s recognised languages.
Its major activities include:
- Recognition of outstanding literary works.
- Literary awards and fellowships.
- Seminars and conferences.
- Translation programmes.
- Publication of books and journals.
- Promotion of literary exchange among Indian languages.
2. Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, supports the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage.
Its activities cover literature, art, museums, archives, cultural institutions and other areas of national cultural development.
Through its collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, the Ministry supported the organisation of Unmesha as an international literary event.
3. Government of Bihar
The Government of Bihar collaborated in hosting the festival in Patna.
The event provided an opportunity to highlight Bihar’s literary and cultural heritage while bringing national and international literary personalities to the state.
Previous Editions of Unmesha Festival
The 2025 event was the third edition of the Unmesha International Literature Festival.
The previous two editions were organised in different Indian cities.
| Edition | Year | Location |
| First Edition | 2022 | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh |
| Second Edition | 2023 | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Third Edition | 2025 | Patna, Bihar |
The festival’s movement across different cities reflects its national reach and its aim of promoting literary exchange across regions.
Valedictory Session: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan
The festival concluded on 28 September 2025 with a valedictory session attended by Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan as the Chief Guest.
Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and other dignitaries also attended the closing programme.
In his address, the Vice-President highlighted the importance of understanding literature from different languages and cultures. He connected literary exchange with the idea of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
The closing session reinforced the festival’s objective of encouraging cultural understanding through literature.
Significance of Unmesha International Literature Festival
Unmesha 2025 was significant for India’s literary and cultural landscape for several reasons.
1. Promotion of Multilingual Literature
The participation of representatives from more than 100 languages highlighted India’s linguistic diversity and the importance of protecting literary traditions.
2. International Cultural Exchange
Participation from different countries encouraged interaction among writers, scholars and cultural organisations.
3. Preservation of Literary Heritage
Literary festivals provide opportunities to promote traditional literature, regional writing, poetry and storytelling.
4. Encouragement for Young Writers
Such events create opportunities for emerging writers to interact with established authors, translators and publishers.
5. Strengthening Bihar’s Cultural Identity
Hosting the international festival in Patna brought national and international attention to Bihar’s cultural and literary heritage.
Conclusion
The third edition of Unmesha: International Literature Festival was held in Patna from 25 to 28 September 2025. Inaugurated by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, the event brought together more than 550 literary and cultural personalities representing over 100 languages.
Organized by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Bihar, the festival provided a platform for literary exchange, multilingual participation, and international cultural dialogue.
The participation of Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan in the valedictory session further highlighted the importance of understanding different literary traditions. Unmesha 2025 demonstrated how literature can connect societies and promote shared human values.
