Odyssey International 2026: Expert-led Insightful Sessions

The third day of Odyssey International 2026 opened a thoughtful dialogue between young minds and accomplished voices from the worlds of literature, education, animation and theatre, offering participants a glimpse into the many possibilities that lie beyond the written page.

The panel brought together Children’s Book Authors Ms Reena Puri and Ms Varsha Seshan; Ms Vaishali Shroff, Award-winning Author, Scriptwriter and Columnist; Ms Tehzeeb Khurana, a pioneer in Children’s Animation Education; Ms Shyamlu Shanmugasundaram, Children’s Author and Freelance Writer; and Ms Apeksha Harsh, Creative Writer, Facilitator and Storyteller. 

Moderated by educationist Ms Shipra Upadhyay, the conversation explored the craft of storytelling, literary writing as a career, and the evolving relationship between creativity and technology in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

For the aspiring writers in the audience, the interaction offered more than professional insight. It opened a window into writing as a living, evolving art — one shaped by observation, imagination, curiosity and the ability to find meaning in the world around us. 

From the Page to the Stage

The literary conversations found a natural extension in theatre as Mr Chris Walter, Drama Teacher, Theatre Director and Playwright, conducted a practical session on the fundamentals of theatre.

Across the four-day Olympiad, he selected and trained one participant from each participating team, bringing together young performers from different backgrounds to create a shared theatrical experience.

Their collaboration culminated in a vibrant ensemble performance at the closing ceremony, where the young actors took the stage together to present a spectacular drama that drew warm applause from the audience.

In many ways, the day captured the essence of Odyssey itself: stories may begin with words, but they truly come alive when people come together to tell them.