Valley of Words to celebrate 25 yrs of Uttarakhand as it balances between tradition & modernity

The Valley of Words Festival in Dehradun will take place from 25-26 October, celebrating the silver jubilee of the Himalayan state with historian Shekhar Pathak delivering the keynote address.

Dehradun: The Doon Valley will welcome thinkers, writers, artists, readers and dreamers from across the country for the 9th edition of the Valley of Words | Shabdavali (VoW) Art and Literature Festival, to be held from October 25 to 26, 2025, at Hotel Madhuban, Dehradun. The event will be inaugurated by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh PVSM, UYSM, AVSL, VSM (Retd).

This year’s edition will continue to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, from the written word and visual art to dance, theatre, music and workshops. Sessions will explore themes ranging from contemporary fiction and non-fiction to poetry, translation, sustainability, youth engagement, military history, Ann, Jal, media, social discourse among others.

The festival will hold handicraft and handloom showcases to celebrate the regional artistry in India through local crafts, handmade jewellery, and artisanal products. The festival will also feature exclusive VoW memorabilia corner, each piece telling its own story of craftsmanship and community, said a press statement issued by the organisers.

Workshop sessions will aim to nurture expression and inclusivity, inviting participants to explore new forms of creativity. The sessions are designed around empathy, communication, and cultural understanding.

The VoW Book Awards (VBA) will honour excellence in English and Hindi literature, translations, writing for young adults and children’s literature.

A key feature of this year’s Valley of Words festival is its focus on youth participation. School students from across the Doon Valley will present declamations on Uttarakhand@2047 in nine regional languages. The 2025 edition will also highlight themes of sustainability and community engagement.

Evenings at the Valley of Words festival will feature performances of music, dance, and theatre, including recitals by ITC artists. The festival venue will also host pop-up exhibitions, bookstalls, and installations highlighting India’s artistic range. Visitors will have the opportunity to browse books, meet authors, and attend signing sessions.