The Ankur Children’s Literature Festival is a yearly event held in Odisha, India that aims to promote literature and encourage children to read, write and express themselves creatively. The festival began in 2019, making it the first of its kind in the state.
The festival provides a platform for children from different backgrounds, including those from government, private and international schools, to participate and learn from various experts in the fields of dance, music, theater, art, storytelling, reading, and writing. The festival encourages children aged between 4 to 14 years to express themselves through literature and explore their creative potential.
In the second year, the festival included veterans from different fields to teach children how to write, recite, and read.
Despite the pandemic, in 2021, the festival continued virtually and spread throughout the state. Children from various districts participated, including tribal areas such as Rayagada and Phulbani. The virtual sessions featured renowned laureates and storytellers, resulting in the production of a bilingual book called “Aama Ankur” featuring the children’s writings. The honorable minister of Odia language and literature graced the occasion as the chief guest.
In 2022, the Ankur Children’s Literature Festival continued with more prominent figures in various fields. The festival included shadow puppetry and a state-level program lasting two days, with children from different schools and areas, including tribal areas, participating.
The festival is not only a celebration of children’s literature but also a platform for promoting children’s writings and good articles from children’s writers. Through the Ankur Children’s Literature Festival, children are encouraged to explore their creativity, enhance their literacy skills, and appreciate the beauty of literature in its various forms.
The fifth State Level Ankur Children’s Literature Festival 2023, was also very successful, with many famous storytellers, cartoonists, artists, singers, dancers, and poets joining the children from different parts of the state. The book fair was a great addition.
In 2023, we held another children’s literature festival in Jajpur.
