Mohatta Palace to host ninth Sindh Literature Festival

The 9th edition of the festival will be held on November 21 and 22

The ninth edition of the Sindh Literature Festival (SLF) will take place at the historic Mohatta Palace in Karachi on November 21 and 22, 2026, bringing together literature, culture, history and the stories that connect communities across Sindh.

The dates and venue were announced on the festival’s official Instagram account, which invited audiences to join the two-day gathering celebrating the province’s literary and cultural heritage. The announcement marks the return of the festival for its ninth edition, continuing an initiative that has provided a platform for writers, poets, scholars, artists and readers to engage with Sindh’s diverse cultural traditions.

 

 

 

 

 

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Established in 2016, the Sindh Literature Festival has become a recurring cultural gathering focused on promoting Sindhi literature, indigenous languages, music, history, and the arts. According to the festival’s official website, it aims to create opportunities for established and emerging writers to interact with readers while encouraging conversations about the region’s social, cultural, and intellectual life.

Previous editions have featured panel discussions, book launches, poetry recitals, theatre, musical performances and conversations on subjects ranging from language and education to history, politics, heritage and environmental concerns. The festival has also provided space for discussions about the Indus River, the preservation of cultural identity and the role of literature in responding to contemporary challenges.

The event has been organised by the Sindh Literary Foundation, with journalist Naseer Gopang identified on the festival’s official website as its founder and producer.

The festival’s earlier editions have addressed a range of themes reflecting Sindh’s history and contemporary concerns. The fifth edition, held at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi in March 2022, marked the centenary of the discovery of Mohenjo-daro, bringing archaeological heritage and the Indus Valley Civilisation into focus.

The sixth edition, held in March 2023, highlighted climate change and global warming under the theme “Aalam Sabh Abaad Kareen”. Its programme included literary and cultural activities intended to encourage public engagement with environmental issues.

In December 2024, the seventh edition took place at Liaquat Memorial Library in Karachi under the theme “Save Indus, Save Life” and the eighth edition was held at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi on November 15 and 16, 2025, under the theme “Celebrate the Power of the World”.

These editions demonstrated the festival’s continuing interest in connecting literary expression with the wider social, historical and cultural experiences of Sindh.

The choice of Mohatta Palace as the venue adds a historical dimension to the upcoming festival. Located in Karachi’s Clifton area, the palace was built in the late 1920s for businessman Rai Bahadur Seth Shivratan Mohatta. It is now a recognised historic monument under the Government of Sindh and operates as a museum.

The palace’s architectural heritage and role as a cultural venue provide a fitting setting for an event centred on literature, history and artistic expression. Hosting the festival at the site also brings together two aspects of the city’s cultural landscape: its historic built heritage and the continuing traditions of storytelling, writing and debate.

As the festival prepares for its ninth edition, it continues to underline the importance of preserving literary traditions while making space for new ideas, voices and cultural conversations. Its return offers readers and culture enthusiasts another opportunity to engage with the stories, histories and creative expressions that shape Sindh’s identity.