A celebration of words, cultures, and Kolkata’s timeless love for literature
Kolkata, India’s literary heart, will once again transform into a global stage for poetry as the seventh edition of Chair Poetry Evenings: Kolkata’s International Poetry Festival returns from 28th to 30th November 2025. What began as a quiet gathering of poetry lovers has evolved into one of the world’s most respected literary festivals, bringing together powerful voices from twelve countries, speaking across more than fifteen languages.
For the four year, The Samilton Hotel is honoured to be a key hospitality partner, hosting all international poets at the hotel and offering its dining venues for special evening gatherings, curated dinners, and intimate conversations. It’s where hospitality, dialogue, and the art of poetry meet.
A Global Gathering of Voices: Chair Poetry 8th Edition
Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Arun Dev, Brian Turner, Baabusha Kohli, Carmien Michels, Denisse Español, Eugenijus Ališanka, Jessica Jacobs, Kishor Kadam, Martin Solotruk, Manmohan, Mikeas Sánchez, Priyankar Paliwal, Sasja Janssen, Subhro Bandopadhyay, Sukrita Paul Kumar, Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri, Romalyn Ante, Lorcan Black, and Yuriy Serebriansky.
Over three days, visitors can enjoy poetry sessions at:
- Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Auditorium
- Alliance Française du Bengale
- The Samilton Hotel Kolkata
- And the festival’s iconic closing event-Poetry on the Cruise-set against the serene waters of the river Hooghly
The festival opens with a soulful folk and fusion performance by Sayani Palit, Atif Ali Khan, and Prajna Dutta, offering the perfect prelude to the days ahead.
Celebrating New Works and New Worlds
This year, the festival also marks the launch of two new translations published by Chair Poetry Books:
- “Anger” by Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri
- “Buddha” by Kazakhstan poet Yuriy Serebriansky
These titles will be formally unveiled on 1st December at Alliance Française du Bengale.
Supported by a Global Literary Community
The 2025 festival is supported by a distinguished network of cultural institutions and embassies, including:
The Dutch Foundation for Literature, Flanders Literature, Embassy of Lithuania, Embassy of Mexico, Embassy of the Dominican Republic, Poetry Book Society (UK), Alliance Française, Culture Ireland, Himalayan Writing Retreat, Sovereign Invest Bratislava, Vivada Cruises, and The Samilton Hotel.
Across seven editions, Chair Poetry Evenings has welcomed poets from more than 25 countries, celebrating diversity through the universal language of verse.
The Power of Poetry in a Changing World
Festival director Sonnet Mondal emphasizes that poetry remains essential in a world confronted with conflict, polarization, and shrinking spaces for expression. He believes festivals like this one help reaffirm the value of art by creating spaces where honest voices can be heard and shared. According to him, poetry continues to shape the way societies think and feel, acting as a refuge and a catalyst for human connection.
Co-director Tushar Dhawal Singh echoes a similar sentiment. He views poetry as a gentle yet powerful response to the forces that threaten collective harmony-whether political, ideological, or social. For him, the festival represents the celebration of human imagination: a reminder that creativity, empathy, and diverse perspectives are central to our shared humanity.
The Samilton: Celebrating Art, Culture, and Hospitality
At The Samilton, we consider it a privilege to welcome the global poetry community during this landmark festival. Our hotel’s enduring commitment to culture and meaningful experiences aligns seamlessly with the spirit of Chair Poetry Evenings. As poets from around the world gather under one roof-sharing meals, moments, stories, and ideas-we look forward to making their stay in Kolkata unforgettable.
Here’s to poetry, community, and three vibrant days in the City of Joy.
Welcome to Chair Poetry Evenings 2025. Welcome to The Samilton.
Karan Samtani is the Managing Director of The Samilton Hotel and Roland Hotel, Kolkata. A Certified Public Accountant (USA) with two decades of experience in hospitality and finance, he blends strategic leadership with a passion for service excellence to create lasting guest experiences.
