The neighbouring hills will come alive with the sound of literature, as the eighth edition of Mountain Echoes, the Bhutan festival of literature, turns a page this month.

To be held in various venues across the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu from August 25 to 27, the festival, which enjoys royal patronage, will host around 70 speakers, in sessions on fiction, non-fiction, international and environmental issues, art and culture.

The top draws this year include Australian writer Markus Zusak of The Book Thief fame, Indian bestselling writers Ashwin Sanghi and Devdutt Pattanaik, writer-MP Shashi Tharoor, kitchen goddess Padma Lakshmi and Bollywood filmmaker Imtiaz Ali. There will also be a host of Bhutanese speakers, including editor-writer Tenzing Lamsang, author Phuntsho Namgyel, educationist Lopen Sonam Bumden and Buddhist monk Khedrup Rinpoche, participating in the festival.

“As we gear up for yet another exciting edition of Mountain Echoes, our goal remains the same — to open up an exchange of creativity, of ideas and thoughts on issues that are most relevant to global audiences. The 2017 edition will see over 70 literary figures come together to discuss issues such as environmental conservation, natural history, spirituality, leadership essentials, and the global evolution of textiles and design traditions. We hope the festival will inspire visitors and help them gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural traditions that permeate throughout the Himalayas,” said festival producer Mita Kapur, CEO of Jaipur-based literary agency Siyahi.

For details: www.mountainechoes.org