'Festival of Letters' opens in capital

NEW DELHI, Feb 15 (UNI): This year's Festival of Letters of the Sahitya Akademi began with an exhibition in honour of India's regional writers here this morning.

Award-winning Oriya author Pratibha Ray inaugurated the 'Akademi 2004 Exhibition' displaying the achievements of writers and activities of the Akademi in the past year during which it celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

The exhibition mounted at the Rabindra Sadan, the Akademi's headquarters, has photographs of last year's awardees and images from literary events.

"Literary events inspire people to be more creative," said Ray.

Akademi president and Urdu writer Gopichand Narang, secretary K Satchidanandan and several writers and bookworms were present at the opening of the six-day 'Festival of Letters', which will witness a writers' meet, lectures and presentation of awards to last year's winners.

Eminent Malayalam litterateur K Ayyapa Paniker will deliver the 'Samvatsar Lecture'.

The title of the lecture is 'Like a River Fed by Many a Stream:Reflections on the Confluence of Cultures'.