What is 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