“The KLF is a festival full of color, literature, and exchange of ideas. I can’t imagine a better place where books and souls converge in the verdant landscape of Kerala.” – Francesc Miralles (author of Ikigai)
The second-largest festival of its kind in Asia, the KLF is a landmark event set along the shores of the Arabian sea. The sixth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival is scheduled for 12 -15 January 2023 on the beaches of Calicut, which is also known as Kozhikode.
The fair is organized by the DC Kizakhemuri Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded in 2001 as a tribute to the late DC Kizhakemur. A freedom fighter, social activist, writer, and publisher, Kizhakemur is considered as the doyen of Indian publishing. Kizhakemur is also known as the father of the paperback revolution in India and was instrumental in the abolition of the sales tax on books.
With an aggregate footfall of more than 3 lakh (300,000), KLF is one of the largest cultural gatherings in the country. The event brings together artists, actors, celebrities, writers, thinkers, and activists closer to people of different backgrounds and interests.
The sessions at KLF aim to map literature through discussions on the aspects of science and technology, art, cinema, politics, writing, and the various facets of culture that shape human consciousness.
The KLF is a platform for people across Kerala and from other parts of India and overseas to witness discussions on cinema, art, culture, dance, music, science, technology, environment, and literature. The event is open to the public, non-exclusive, and non-aligned to offer a democratic and open platform for discussions and idea exchange.
Organized after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the KLF 2023 will be a mega affair with more than 400 speakers from countries across the globe participating.
Nobel laureates, including Orhan Pamuk, Abhijit Banerjee, and Ada Yonath, bestselling authors such as Jeffery Archer, Francesc Miralles, Wendy Doniger, the recent Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree, economists such as Palanivel Thiagarajan, Sanjeev Sanyal, and advertising guru Piyush Pandey are on the initial list of speakers set to participate at KLF 2023.
For up-to-date information on the sessions, speakers, schedule, and registration, please go to www.keralaliteraturefestival.com.