The Symbiosis Literary Festival (SLF) is an annual celebration of literature, ideas, and culture hosted by Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA) under Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune. Rooted in the university’s ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the world is one family, the festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, playwrights, journalists, policymakers, artists, students, and readers for two days of meaningful conversations and creative exchange. Since its inception in 2018, SLF has grown into a signature public event of the university, welcoming participants from within and beyond Pune.

​​The festival offers a rich, carefully curated programme that spans author sessions, panel discussions, in-conversation events, book readings, theatre and lecture-demonstrations, poetry performances, workshops, and interactive youth-focused activities. Over two immersive days, attendees can listen to leading thinkers unpack the politics of language, the craft of storytelling, the future of publishing, cinema and society, history and memory, as well as emerging forms of digital and experimental writing.

​At its heart, the Symbiosis Literary Festival is powered by students and faculty. Conceptualised and organised by SSLA with support from Symbiosis International (Deemed University), the festival offers students hands-on experience in curation, production, research, outreach, design, media, and event management. This student-driven model infuses the festival with energy, openness, and experimentation, while also transforming the campus into a living classroom where learning extends beyond the walls of traditional lecture halls. For authors and speakers, SLF provides a vibrant academic environment; for students and visitors, it is an inviting space to question, reflect, and discover new reading journeys.

Each edition of the Symbiosis Literary Festival is built around a strong thematic core that responds to contemporary realities and the changing world of stories, media, and expression.