The festival is held annually in early spring, coinciding with the blossoming of orange trees in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province. Rooted in the region’s profound connection to nature and poetry, the event serves as a focal point for poets, writers, and intellectuals from across Afghanistan and the Pashtun-populated regions of Pakistan.
During the event, poets recite verses centered on themes of peace, nature, love, and patriotism. More than just a poetry gathering, Naranj Gul is a cultural assembly dedicated to strengthening national solidarity and preserving language and literature. The festival is registered in Afghanistan’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and is recognized regionally as a symbol of the cultural identity of the country’s eastern provinces.