MBIFL 2026 announced: Literary festival to run from January 29 to February 1

Kozhikode: The 2026 edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) will take place in Thiruvananthapuram from January 29 to February 1, the organisers have announced. The dates were revealed by Mathrubhumi Managing Director M V Shreyams Kumar at the ceremony held to present the Mathrubhumi Literary Award to writer Sarah Joseph.

Regarded as South India’s largest literary festival, MBIFL is celebrated as a platform where letters, hopes, dialogues, and conversations meet. The upcoming seventh edition is expected to be a vibrant confluence of literature, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiring narratives, with sessions led by notable figures from diverse fields. The festival will foster meaningful discourse on themes including society, politics, and culture, making it a richly stimulating experience for literature enthusiasts and the broader public alike.

The sixth edition (MBIFL 2025), held last year, carried the theme ‘Currents of Change’, which resonated across sessions and reflected the collective consciousness of participants. Discussions extended across literature, economics, science, sports, social issues, politics, and cinema, with an inclusive approach to contemporary topics such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The 2025 edition also featured book launches and cultural programmes, further enriching the literary atmosphere of the festival.