Four days, 13 stages, 763 voices: Kerala gears up for 7th edition of MBIFL 2026

Thiruvananthapuram is preparing to host one of its most expansive cultural gatherings as 763 eminent writers, thinkers and public figures from around the world converge for the seventh edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL). The four-day event, running from 29 January to 1 February, will turn the historic Kanakakkunnu grounds into a sprawling arena of ideas, debate and artistic exchange.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Declan Walsh will be among the headline participants, joining a roster that spans continents and disciplines. The festival is expected to be one of the most ambitious in its history, with organisers highlighting its scale, diversity and global reach.

Opening ceremony and key speakers

Malayalam film icon Mohanlal will formally open the festival at 10 am on 29 January, while prominent businessman MA Yusuff Ali will be the chief guest.

The keynote sessions will feature acclaimed Malayalam author KR Meera – known for titles such as ‘Aarachaar’, ‘Qabar’, ‘Nethronmeelanam’, ‘Ave Mariya’ and ‘Kalachi’ – and Swiss-German writer Jonas Lüscher, celebrated for ‘Kraft: A Novel and Barbarian Spring’. Both speakers are expected to set the tone for the festival’s discussions on literature, society and contemporary thought.

Registration and access

Entry to MBIFL will be through prior registration, with passes available either for all four days or for single-day access. Children will be eligible for discounted tickets, and persons with disabilities will be admitted free of charge.

Each evening, the neighbouring Nishagandhi venue will host cultural programmes featuring musical performances by Naresh Iyer, Sreekanth Hariharan, Aparna Harikumar and Neha Nair, adding a celebratory ambience to the literary proceedings.

13 stages

This year’s edition will be staged across 13 venues set up throughout the Kanakakkunnu lawns, offering an extensive array of conversations and sessions. The programming will stretch across literature, art, science, anthropology, diplomacy, cuisine, travel, sport, cinema, history, industry, media, religion, philosophy, spirituality and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.

A dedicated “Ka Corner” will explore the world of colours, while the “Alphaverse” space will cater to younger visitors with interactive activities and child-centred sessions.