Representational Image (Thinkstock)
Writers, scholars, artists, academics and historians from all the eight SAARC countries will converge in Agra from tomorrow for the three-day SAARC Literature Festival.
Veteran Odia author Sitakanta Mahapatra will be conferred the lifetime achievement award, organisers of the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) said. The award carries Rs 2 lakh in cash, a citation, a shawl and a memento.
Mr Mahapatra will also deliver the keynote address. Eminent Bangladeshi writer Selina Hossain will be given the prestigious SAARC Literature Festival award in recognition of her literary excellence. The award carries cash of Rs 50,000, a shawl, a citation and a memento.
Writers, scholars, artists, academics and historians from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives will debate the latest literary trends and present their literary pieces for analytical comments during the festival.
There will also be cultural events during the festival.
The FOSWAL launched its vision of cultural bonding among the neighboring SAARC countries in 1987, and emerged as the first NGO working in the specific area of culture.