India's First Sailing Lit Fest which will kick off in Mumbai tomorrow, January 29, 2019

Acclaimed filmmaker, actress and activist Nandita Das joined for a special session with Former First Lady of Britain Cherie Blair opened the fest and bat for India's widows on behalf of the Loomba Foundation. The revenue generated at this festival was donated to the widows of the country.

The Irrawaddy Literary Festival takes place in a Buddhist Stupa that houses the world’s largest book written in gold.

The Shanghai International Literary Festival uses one of the world’s most photographed backdrops – its sky scrapers. 

The Mountain Echoes Lit Fest is held in one of the world’s cleanest landscapes of Bhutan.

The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival takes place in the 14 ethereal villages immersed among lush green paddy fields.

And now Mumbai is all set to have a Lit Fest that uses its most famous citizen as its venue – The Arabian Sea. 

India’s Maximum City hosted India’s first ever Lit Fest on the sea – The Queensline Lit Fest - three days of incredible dialogue and debate by some of the world’s greatest minds – with the spectacular views of Mumbai’s imposing skyline at a distance and sunsets to die for.

Queensline Lit Fest, India’s first literary festival on the sea, took place from 29-31 January 2019 in Mumbai.

It was inaugurated by world-renowned barrister and former first lady of the UK, Cherie Blair, on 29 Jan at 12.30 pm.

The festival takes place on board Mumbai’s brand new addresses on the sea — Queensline Neverland and Queensline Sea YAH — ships that can each accommodate 400 people.

Queensline owner and founder of the QLF Shripriya Dalmia Thirani said, "Space is vital for any sort of intellectual discourse. India is a place for debates and literature. Queensline isn't a cruise ship or just a floating restaurant. It is Mumbai's  brand new address on the sea - its deck the venerable new spot for everything creative. This is the first of out large creative events - the first ever Lit Fest on the sea. We have some of India's greatest minds talking about the issues of the present - from faith and religion to women and widows. It will be a massive draw and we already have a major interest in the festival."

Originally from Turkey, these ships have been visited by Queen Elizabeth, too. They have now been converted into Mumbai’s largest dining rooms on the sea.

This unique Lit Fest will feature some of the best minds from the literary world. The participants and guests will be able to listen to the stalwarts from the world of books and also witness Mumbai’s sensational views.

On 30 January, India’s most renowned photographer Raghu Rai will be in a conversation with festival director Kounteya Sinha, from 4 pm to 6 pm. On 31st January, 5 pm Manisha Koirala is in conversation with veteran writer and critic Uma Nair. Boats will carry VIPs and passengers from Gateway of India to the ship all the three days.

Quotes: 

"CEREBRAL DISCOURSES have become common in India - it definitely shows how debate and discussions are intrinsic to the DNA of a common Indian. Mumbai is a Mecca for such incredible festivals. Queensline which is now Mumbai's largest dining room on the sea is clear of its intention - it wants its deck to be Mumbai's latest cultural hub - a place people can engage, talk about arts and culture, watch performances under an open sky glistening with stars and come up with brilliant solutions to our urban and rural needs through debate and dialogue. QLF 2019 will open Mumbai's greatest asset - the Arabian Sea as a place where great minds meet and engage says, Kounteya Sinha - internationally renowned curator and QLF festival director."