KATHMANDU: As literature festivals continue to expand across Nepal, organizers and experts say financial constraints, audience engagement, and sustainability remain key challenges threatening their long-term continuity.

A panel discussion titled “Challenges of Festivals” held during the fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival highlighted the growing popularity of such events alongside the difficulties in sustaining them.

Mahesh Bikram Shah, director of the Tikapur Literature Festival, said funding remains the biggest hurdle. He noted that literature festivals have yet to develop into self-sustaining brands, making resource mobilization difficult. He also pointed out that organizing events outside Kathmandu, particularly in remote regions like Sudurpashchim, significantly increases costs.

Comparing different types of festivals, Shah said literary events struggle to attract large audiences despite heavy investment, unlike entertainment or industrial festivals that draw thousands with minimal effort.

However, Karnali Utsav director Dinesh Gautam offered a contrasting experience, saying consistent programming can naturally build audience interest over time. He said the Karnali Utsav, launched in 2020 as a policy-focused platform, initially spent heavily on promotion but no longer requires advertising due to growing recognition. Gautam also stressed that festivals must constantly introduce new themes and formats to retain public interest.

Writer and journalist Yogesh Dhakal, meanwhile, emphasized the need for stronger involvement from the state and private sector, describing literary festivals as a form of “soft power” that helps connect communities and shape broader social and geopolitical discourse.