Vision & Concept

Unifying the World.

a Platform for Dialogue through Literature

In an increasingly interconnected yet complex world, literature offers a powerful means of understanding societies and human experiences. The Words beyond Borders Literature Festival seeks to build a space where diplomacy and literature intersect—encouraging dialogue, reflection, and mutual understanding across cultures and nations.

By bringing together diplomats who write, scholars, students, and readers, the festival aspires to celebrate the power of words in shaping ideas, fostering empathy, and strengthening the bonds between nations.

Festival Experience

Diplomats occupy a unique vantage point in the world. Through their work they observe societies, cultures, conflicts, and cooperation across nations. Many diplomats translate these experiences into literature—producing memoirs, novels, poems, essays, and reflections on international relations and human society.

The WBBILF seeks to celebrate and showcase this important intellectual and creative contribution. By bringing together diplomats who write, the festival aims to create conversations that transcend official discourse and engage with the deeper human dimensions of global affairs.

Why attend

Over three days, the festival will feature:

Conversations with diplomat–authors.
Panel discussions on diplomacy, literature, and global issues.
Poetry readings and literary presentations.
Book discussions, book launches and author interactions.
Student engagement sessions.
Cultural and cross-cultural dialogues.

25 - 27, Oct 2026

Organizers

The festival is being organized by the Foundation for Culture, Arts & Literature (FOCAL), a Guwahati-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literature and cultural dialogue, in partnership with the Dr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay Foundation (DMF), a non-profit organization working with young people across India to promote literature, culture, and skill development. FOCAL has also been organizing the Dibrugarh University International Literature Festival (DUILF) since 2024 in Assam.