JLF London 2025: A Star-Studded Literary Festival Returns to the British Library

Posted on May 31, 2025

JLF London 2025: A Star-Studded Literary Festival Returns to the British Library

New Delhi: The iconic Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is set to return to London with its 12th edition at the British Library from June 13–15, 2025, promising three days of thought-provoking dialogue, literary magic, and cultural exchange. A curtain-raiser preview was hosted at the British Council in New Delhi on May 27, spotlighting the global power of literature, food, feminism, history, and identity.

Presented by Teamwork Arts in collaboration with the British Council, the preview highlighted the vibrant sessions that await audiences in London, celebrating voices from across the globe and bridging South Asia’s literary heritage with international storytelling.

The event featured acclaimed author Ira Mukhoty, who delved into her latest historical work The Lion and the Lily, in conversation with festival producer Sanjoy K. Roy.

Among the notable dignitaries present was Ms. Lindy Cameron CB OBE, British High Commissioner to India, who emphasized the growing global resonance of the JLF platform.

Highlights from JLF London 2025

This year’s line-up is packed with powerhouses from literature, politics, cinema, and cuisine:

Wordplay: Indian, English, and Indian English
Dive into linguistic quirks with Shashi Tharoor, Vikram Doraiswami, and Shrabani Basu, as they dissect the charm and chaos of Indian English.
Heart Lamp
International Booker Prize 2025 winner Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi join Lucy Popescu to explore powerful Muslim women narratives from South India.
Shattered
Renowned author Hanif Kureishi shares his intimate story of healing and creativity after a life-altering injury, in conversation with Monisha Rajesh.
Monsoon: Flavours of India
Culinary star Asma Khan cooks up memories, traditions, and spice-laden stories with Chitra Ramaswamy.
Blame it on Bollywood
Javed Akhtar and Anu Singh Choudhary reflect on Bollywood’s evolution, creativity, and cultural clout.
Paro: Rescripting the Narrative
Festival Director Namita Gokhale revisits her pathbreaking novel Paro, joined by Anu Singh Choudhary and Georgina Godwin to discuss gender and storytelling.
David Hare: A Life in Theatre and Film
Legendary playwright David Hare recounts his artistic journey in conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy.
Politically Incorrect: The Irrepressible Shobhaa De
Iconic columnist Shobhaa De gets candid with Yasser Usman on her inspirations and fearless voice.
Crisis in the Age of Chaos
Global minds like Tharoor, Bruno Maçães, David Rhodes, Steve Tsang, and Mukulika Banerjee tackle today’s geopolitical storms.
Networks of Power
Bruno Maçães and Samanth Subramanian examine digital disruption and data’s role in shaping modern empires.
Missionaries, Mercenaries, and Empire
Manu S. Pillai and Mukulika Banerjee dissect India’s colonial past and the interplay between religion and rule.
Brave New Novels
Debut writers Reeta Chakrabarti and Yasmin Zaher, with Keshava Guha, explore themes of identity and emotional dislocation.
Broadcasts from Kabul: Narratives of Hope
Batool Haidari, Saad Mohseni, and Lucy Hannah, led by Georgina Godwin, highlight Afghan voices, resistance, and storytelling.