In the first ever Maldives edition of Jaipur Literature Festival, authors and thought leaders like Elif Shafak, André Aciman, Mira Nair, Shashi Tharoor, and Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi will grace the panels at the luxurious island resort of Soneva Fushi. By Sumeet Keswani
The pandemic has changed the way we travel. It has also changed the way the hospitality industry approaches guest experience. Just hosting a comfortable stay isn’t enough; many hotels are now curating a journey of experiences to make travel more meaningful for their patrons.
In one of the biggest moves of this kind, the pioneer of barefoot luxury hospitality in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi, has partnered with Teamwork Arts to host the first-ever Maldives edition of Jaipur Literature Festival. This unique marriage means that literature enthusiasts can meet their favourite authors on the surreal archipelago that is known for its pristine turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.
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The Programme for Jaipur Literature Festival
Spread over 10 days (May 13-22), the festival at Soneva Fushi will celebrate the theme of Slow Life. The unique edition of Jaipur Literature Festival will host a global line-up of critically acclaimed authors, thinkers, and cultural leaders. This will feature luminaries like Academy Award-nominated director Mira Nair, poets Ranjit Hoskote and Arundhati Subramaniam, authors André Aciman, Elif Shafak, Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi, Vikas Swarup, Shashi Tharoor, Patrick Redden Keefe, David Wallace Wells, William Dalrymple, Namita Gokhale, and Shobhaa De. The topics will range from travel to fiction, food, art, wellness, history, environment, and climate change.
Apart from the stimulating panels now synonymous with Jaipur Literature Festival, JLF Soneva Fushi will also host morning yoga sessions, workshops, and live performances. The property boasts many stunning locations on the island of Kunfunadhoo in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
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Speaking about the event, Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva, says, “We are so proud to host the first edition of JLF Soneva Fushi, which is also the first-ever Maldives iteration of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival. The festival’s remarkable programme is an opportunity to finally reconnect with the pure joy of literature and the arts, and I cannot wait to welcome the line-up of outstanding international authors to our shores.”
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Booking & Packages
Rates for a minimum four-night stay start from USD 6,800 (INR 5,16,450) for two guests in a one-bedroom pool villa. The package includes full access to the JLF Soneva Fushi programme, including events, sessions, and workshops; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Related: Maldives’ Soneva Fushi Celebrates 25 Years Of Sustainable Luxury
