Saji Cheriyan hoists flag at MBIFL 2023 / Photo: Special Arrangement
Thiruvananthapuram: The flag hoisting of the fourth edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) was held at Kanakakunnu Palace here on Wednesday.
Kerala Cultural Minister Saji Cheriyan hoisted the flag at 6 pm marking the beginning of the four-day-long festival.
Speaking at the event, Saji Cheriyan said, "I hope that this year's Festival of Letters turns out to be an event that strengthens art, literature and culture."
Mathrubhumi Managing Director and Festival Chairman MV Shreyams Kumar delivered the introductory speech at the event, which was marked by a vibrant performance by Pung Cholom ( classical drum dance) artistes from Manipur.
The festival book was unveiled by Revenue Minister K Rajan, who lauded the festival and expressed gratitude to be part of the event.
The ceremony was also attended by Mathrubhumi Managing Editor PV Chandran, VK Prashant MLA, director Madhupal, Booker Prize International winner Jokha Alharthi and writer Madhusoodanan Nair among others.
As a part of the Festival of Letters, verses from the classics namely, TS Eliot's 'The Waste Land', Kumaran Asan's 'Chandalabhikshuki' and Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet' were recited at the event.
Jnanpith awardees Damodar Mauzo, M T Vasudevan Nair and Amitav Ghosh are the other prominent figures at the fest.
The theme of the fourth edition of the event is "Shadows of History, Lights of the Future". The fest is packed with engrossing and enriching sessions of solos, dialogues, discussions and readings of poetry and prose.
Started in 2018, MBIFL is a festival that aims to conduct, celebrate and facilitate constructive conversations by the people, for the people, of the people.
With PTI inputs
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