The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), Asia’s largest literature festival, is preparing for its ninth edition with Germany as the guest nation. Set to take place from 22 to 25 January 2026, the festival will host an extraordinary line-up of global thinkers, writers, performers, and artists from all over the world.
From Goethe to Daniel Kehlmann, Germany is globally recognized for its profound literary heritage. At KLF 2026, leading German authors, poets, translators, and thinkers will engage in conversations that span literature in translation, post-colonial and post-war narratives, identity, memory, and the role of literature in shaping public consciousness. These discussions are initiated to bridge linguistic and cultural borders, bringing German and Indian literary traditions into meaningful conversation.
Germany’s participation will add a dynamic cultural dimension to the festival, offering far more than literary discussions. The audience can expect a rich array of installations, theatre performances, musical concerts, film screenings, culinary workshops, etc., led by German artists. Designed to encourage cultural discourse, these events will highlight the exchange between Germany and India in culture, literature and social themes.
With thousands of visitors on the shores of Calicut (Kozhikode), Germany will be at the heart of the celebration, offering a unique window into its culture, literature, and ideas, while creating a memorable connection with India’s literary and artistic community.
The 2026 edition promises to deepen its commitment to dialogue on various genres and disciplines, bringing together voices from across the world who are shaping contemporary thought and cultural expression.
This year, KLF will host discussions on literature as well as pressing global issues, including environmentalism, sustainability, feminism, human rights violations, cyber security, and more. The line-up of guests includes Abhijit Banerjee, Pico Iyer, Shobha De, Banu Mushtaq, Deepa Bashti, etc.
A specially curated platform for younger audiences, the Children’s Kerala Literature Festival (CKLF), has been an exciting addition to the festival in recent years and continues to grow in scale and ambition. Tailored specifically for children and young adults, CKLF is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for reading and learning. Last year, CKLF collaborated with Karadi Tales, Pratham Books, Tulika Books, and others to bring celebrated authors and stories to readers across Kerala.
KLF is organized by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation, a philanthropic organization formed as a tribute to the founder of DC Books, the late D C Kizhakemuri, a freedom fighter, social activist, writer, and publisher, and recipient of Padma Bhushan.
Total recall
The previous editions of KLF featured global speakers, including Nobel Laureates, Booker Prize winners and noted celebrities. The last edition was particularly special as it featured six Booker prize-listed authors, including Jenny Erpenbeck, Georgi Gospodinov, Paul Lynch and others. Additionally, it hosted Nobel laureates Venki Ramakrishnan and Esther Duflo among many other celebrated guests.
Then there were other well-known writers, including Dr. Abraham Verghese, Angela Saini, GauZ, Sophie Mackintosh, Christian Kracht, to name a few.
France was the guest nation in the last edition, bringing forth French experiences through cultural programs, experience centre, special activities for children, etc.
Kerala Literature Festival has been recognized in multiple international publications, including The New York Times.
With a footfall of half a million, KLF has grown to become a household name and one of India’s major cultural events, with global speakers and delegations flocking to the city to witness the event in its glory.
Incidentally, UNESCO had declared Kozhikode as India’s first City of Literature in 2023, and KLF was the key catalyst for getting this honour. The festival hosted 330 sessions across seven distinct tracks, celebrating literature, art, and culture.
