This is the most challenging time for writers - Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: The curtains fell on the four-day Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2025 on Sunday, as a vibrant confluence of creative minds bid farewell to the Kanakakunnu Palace. 

M V Shreyams Kumar, Managing Director of Mathrubhumi, in his presidential address thanked the people for their overwhelming love and support in making the literary festival a grand success. He also highlighted the urgent issue of climate change, warning of its growing threat. He wanted everyone to take the matter seriously and consider steps that can be taken at the micro level to combat its effects.

During the concluding session, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted two major challenges facing the state—waste disposal and climate change. "These are critical issues that require cooperation from all sectors. By 2050, we must strive to develop the state with a strong focus on addressing these challenges," he stated. He also praised Mathrubhumi’s deep-rooted connection with Malayalam literature and hailed the energy of today’s youth in participating in the literary festival.

The festival successfully introduced faces from different fields, he said. There is no death for reading and the festival serves as a stream of knowledge, the CM said.

"Writers today are going through a difficult phase. Even during times of emergency, writers were not killed as they are now. This is an era where artists must also be activists; otherwise, circumstances may arise where writing itself becomes impossible," the CM said.
Mathrubhumi Chairman and Managing Editor P V Chandran announced the MBIFL 25 Book of the Year Award which was bagged by Sandhya Mary for her book Maria, Just Maria, which is a translation of her Malayalam book by Jayasree Kalathil. The award was presented to Sandhya Mary by renowned writer M Mukundan. The award carries a purse of Rs 2 lakh and a momento.

Film actor and director Amol Palekar was the Guest of Honour at the event. He fondly recalled his first connection with Kerala through singer KJ Yesudas who had lent voice to his beautiful songs. His second association was through the film Olangal, an experience he described as enriching. Amol Palekar also cherished his brief connection with the renowned theatre doyen of Kerala Kavalam Panickar.

M S Devika, Director, Operations welcomed the gathering and Manoj K Das, Editor, Daily gave the vote of thanks.