The ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), to held from 22 to 25 January 2026, at Kozhikode Beach, was announced at a pre- festival showcase in Bengaluru — launching a campaign titled ‘An Event Beyond Words’ to engage marketing professionals, advertisers, business leaders, and brand owners.
Since its inception in 2016, KLF has grown into Asia’s largest and the world’s most attended literary conclave, welcoming over 650,000 visitors and 600 speakers in its previous edition. The festival has become one of India’s most anticipated cultural gatherings, blending literature, ideas, art, music, cinema, and performance in an open, inclusive setting.
The 2026 edition promises to be even more dynamic, featuring more than 400 speakers and 250 sessions across seven parallel tracks, with 10 sessions per track each day and participation from 15 countries. Evenings will host musical and cultural performances along the Kozhikode beachfront. Over four days, the festival will turn the city into a vibrant arena for literature, dialogue, and creativity.
KLF 2026 will a lineup that includes Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee; olympian Ben Johnson; business leader Indra Nooyi; artist Cheyenne Olivier; authors Gabriela Ybarra, Peggy Mohan, and Shobhaa De; economist Arvind Subramanian; writer-diplomat Amish Tripathi; actor and singer Piyush Mishra; curator Helen Molesworth; writer-activist Banu Mushtaq; and journalist Deepa Bhasthi, among others.
“KLF has evolved into a platform where literature and art coexist with science, cinema, and social thought. Every year, it becomes a meeting point for some of the most creative and courageous minds from around the world. The 2026 edition will continue this journey by deepening the exchange of ideas and celebrating cultural diversity,” said Ravi Deecee, chief facilitator of KLF.
Germany has been announced as the guest nation for KLF 2026, bringing a rich program of literary and artistic initiatives. “Germany shares a close cultural relationship with Kerala, and we are excited to reaffirm this relationship through our participation in KLF,” said Michael Heinst, director of Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bangalore.
As Guest Nation, Germany will host a dedicated pavilion, a writing residency in Vagamon for German writers, and a Creative Writing Workshop for Malayalam-speaking young creatives. Supported by the German Consulate in Bangalore and the Goethe-Zentrum in Trivandrum, the initiative will bring German authors and artists to Kozhikode Beach. A striking light installation will serve as a visual centrepiece, symbolizing collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
The German pavilion will spotlight contemporary literature, art, and creative industries, encouraging dialogue on translation, storytelling, and shared cultural values. This collaboration continues KLF’s evolution into a truly global cultural platform—one that celebrates diversity, connection, and the movement of ideas across borders.
Germany’s participation follows France’s successful presence in the previous edition, further underscoring the festival’s growing international stature.
Reflecting KLF’s commitment to immersive experiences, the 2026 edition will feature a vibrant blend of literature and live performance. Each evening, fusion concerts, traditional and contemporary art showcases, and theatre performances will highlight Kerala’s artistic richness. The beachfront setting will offer a welcoming space where audiences can read, listen, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.
“KLF has always stood for accessibility and openness. It enables conversations that connect people across languages, disciplines, and borders, reinforcing Kerala’s place on the global cultural map,” added Deecee.
As anticipation builds, Kozhikode— India’s first UNESCO City of Literature—prepares to welcome voices, stories, and audiences from around the world for four days of inspired dialogue and celebration of human creativity.
