SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN LITERARY FESTIVAL (SAALF)

Chicago’s first annual South Asian American Lit Fest (SAALF) 2026 is a free, one-day immersive diaspora event celebrating literary traditions and cultural expression. The festival showcases the depth and diversity of South Asian writing and highlights its intersection with Chicago’s vibrant literary landscape.

The festival is hosted by South Asia Institute and supported by generous grants from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), English PEN / South Asian Literature in Translation (SALT) Project at the University of Chicago, the Hundal Foundation, and numerous community sponsors.

— Ignatius Valentine Aloysius, Festival Curator and Director

Fatimah Asghar with dark curly hair wearing colorful earrings, surrounded by pink and purple flowers, with a beige textured background.

Inaugural Keynote Speaker — Fatimah Asghar

Fatimah Asghar is an award-winning poet, screenwriter, educator, and performer whose work explores identity, memory, migration, family, and belonging. They are the author of the acclaimed poetry collection If They Come for Us and the novel When We Were Sisters, and the co-creator of the Emmy-nominated web series Brown Girls. Through poetry, film, and storytelling, Asghar’s work has become a powerful voice in contemporary South Asian American literature and culture.

23 voices. One day.
A festival of literature, ideas, and conversation.

On Saturday, August 22, South Asia Institute welcomes writers, poets, scholars, and readers for the inaugural South Asian American Literary Festival (SAALF) 2026.

Starting at 9:30 AM with opening remarks featuring the City of Chicago’s CPL Commissioner Brown,
Ald. Pat Dowell, South Asia Institute leadership, and guests as we celebrate the vibrant literary voices of the South Asian American and diaspora communities.
At 11:00 AM, join us for our keynote conversation with acclaimed writer and poet Fatimah Asghar, followed by a book signing.
Spend the day with readings, conversations, panels, book signings, and opportunities to connect with some of the most compelling voices working across literature and culture today. And we’ll close out the festival with DJ music, dancing, and drinks from 6:00–7:30 PM!