KOZHIKODE: The ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF 2026), one of Asia’s largest literary gatherings, kicked off at the iconic Kozhikode Beach on January 22. This year’s festival marks the first major cultural celebration since Kozhikode was designated as India’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
The four-day event was jointly inaugurated by NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas. Williams, who recently announced her retirement after a 27-year career, was a star attraction on the opening day, participating in an interactive session titled “Once Upon a Time In Space.”
Key Highlights of KLF 2026:
Guest Nation: Germany is the featured country this year. A dedicated German pavilion and various literary workshops curated in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut showcase German heritage and contemporary literature.
Star-Studded Lineup: The festival hosts over 400 speakers from 17 countries, including Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah and Abhijit Banerjee, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Olympian Ben Johnson, and literary stalwarts like Shashi Tharoor, Kiran Desai, and Shobhaa De.
150 Years of Vande Mataram: Special cultural performances and discussions are being held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, Vande Mataram.
Extensive Programming: With 250 sessions spread across seven parallel beachside venues, the festival covers diverse topics ranging from post-colonial fiction and identity politics to environmentalism and the impact of AI.
Organized by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation and DC Books, KLF 2026 continues its legacy as an egalitarian cultural platform. With free entry for all, the festival is expected to draw over six lakh visitors by the time it concludes on January 25, firmly establishing Kerala on the global cultural map. (TIM) https://keralaliteraturefestival.com/
For more details: Navamalayalam.com