AIZWAL, 18 Oct: LEI, Mizoram’s first-ever literary festival, celebrated the power of words in Aizawl with a glittering array of participants and authors from Mizoram and various parts of the country from 17-18 October at the Aijal Club.
Subjects covered included Mizo modern writing, particularly by established writers as well as young authors and poets. There were discussions on military history, translations, and standalone talks, including ‘Walking the Land/Listening to the Land’ by writer Sanjoy Hazarika and ‘Being Mizo’ by academic Prof Joy Pachuau of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The panels featured established poets and writers such as Jerry Pinto, Shiny Anthony, co-director of the Bangalore Literary Festival, and David Puig, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic.
Puig made an arresting comparison between the ‘Blue Archipelago of the Caribbean’, where his country is located, and the ‘Green Land Archipelago of the Northeast’.
Minister of State for Sports Lalnghinglova Hmar, addressing the packed audience, spoke of the festival as “proof that we have talented writers who are ready to share their stories with the world.” He urged all writers to “keep writing fearlessly,” as they can create bridges in areas where there are tensions and troubles.
Hmar added that the festival demonstrated “that Mizoram is not just a small place in the hills – it is a vibrant community with stories that matter.”
Encouraged by the public response, festival organising committee chairman Vanlalruata Ralte announced plans to sustain the LEI over the coming years. “The next LEI will be bigger, with better participation and support. This is just the beginning, and the first time for us, so it is a huge learning experience,” Ralte said.
Earlier in the day, Dr Vanlalthlana, the education minister, who also addressed the gathering, revealed that he is a cartoonist and caricaturist with over 100 drawings.
Chief Secretary Renu Sharma said that the previous day that she was encouraged by the presence of young Mizo writers. Sharma emphasised the need for greater translation of Mizo writing to reach wider readerships.
An advisory council member of the Sahitya Akademi from Mizoram was the keynote speaker at the opening session on the first day.
The lit fest, Mizoram’s first-ever, drew about 150 participants to a packed hall at the Aijal Club, including writers, students, faculty members, government officials, and translators.
It was supported by The Book Cafe, Aizawl, the Sahitya Akademi, the LESDE, and small businesses in Mizoram, while partners included the the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-nes) and Majha House, Amritsar.