Billabong High International School, Amanora hosts 3rd edition of Litfest 2026, celebrating literature, creativity and cultural expression in Pune

Pune, February 3, 2026: Billabong High International School, Amanora, powered by Lighthouse Learning Group, one of India’s most progressive K–12 school networks, hosted the third edition of Litfest, its annual celebration of literature, arts, and creative expression. The festival brought together learners, parents, educators, authors, artists, and cultural practitioners for a full-day immersive experience, reinforcing the school’s commitment to nurturing imagination, creativity, and intellectual curiosity among young learners.
Litfest 2026 offered a multi-sensory, learner-led experience, transforming the campus into a vibrant cultural common where stories came alive through panel discussions, poetry, music, theatre, filmmaking, fashion showcases, quizzes, workshops, and interactive installations. The festival aimed to foster a deep love for reading, writing, and creative inquiry while encouraging learners to explore ideas across disciplines.
The festival was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Baliram Gaikwad, noted literary scholar, along with Guest of Honour and Panellist Yashodhan Bal, Indian actor; Savio Mascarenhas, Group Art Director at Amar Chitra Katha; Vidya Nesari, children’s author and storyteller; and Dr. Saumya Misra, academic leader, researcher, and educator. Their conversations explored the evolving role of storytelling, literature, and creative arts in shaping young minds in a rapidly changing world.
The highlight of Litfest 2026 was The Writers’ Roundtable, a literary panel bringing together distinguished voices from literature, education, and popular culture. The festival also featured an engaging session by Rutuja Deshmukh on the history of Indian cinema, lively poetry and music performances, and high-energy showcases by Billabongers and Team Dhunn. A major attraction was the ‘Pages Alive Pavilion’, an experiential zone with themed stalls, workshops, and creative activities that encouraged learners and parents to explore, collaborate, and celebrate storytelling beyond the written word.
A unique pre-festival highlight was the ‘Books on Wheels’ initiative, where a specially curated school bus was transformed into a mobile library and taken across different parts of the city. The initiative promoted Litfest 2026 beyond the campus while encouraging children to rediscover the joy of reading, making literature accessible, engaging, and community-driven
Speaking on the occasion, Aditi Mukherjee, Principal of Pune Billabong High International School said, “At Billabong High, we believe literature is not confined to books, it lives in conversations, performances, questions, and creativity. Litfest 2026 was a reflection of our philosophy of innovative learning, where learners don’t just consume stories but become storytellers themselves. Through platforms like Litfest, we aim to nurture confident voices, critical thinking, and empathy, skills that are essential for learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The festival embodies our commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond classrooms and textbooks.”
This year’s edition witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 400+ learners and 500+ parents, along with parents, educators, and cultural practitioners, reflecting the festival’s growing reputation as one of Pune’s most anticipated celebrations of literature, arts, and creative expression.
With enthusiastic participation from the school community and strong engagement across age groups, Litfest 2026 reaffirmed Billabong High International School, Amanora’s commitment to creating meaningful platforms that nurture critical thinking, creativity, and confidence, preparing learners to articulate their voices thoughtfully in an interconnected world.