MochenKitche at 08:59, 2 May 2026

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{{Short description|Annual literary festival held on the beaches of Kozhikode, Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Kerala Literature Festival
| logo = KLF Logo 2026.jpg
| caption = Kerala Literature Festival
| frequency = Annual
| location = [[Kozhikode Beach]], Kerala, India
| country = India
| years_active = 2016–present
| prev = January 22 – January 25, 2026
| next = January 21 – January 24, 2027
| patron = DC Kizhakkemuri Foundation
| dates = 22 to 25 Jan, 2026
| genre = [[Literary festival]]
| website = http://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/
}}
'''Kerala Literature Festival''' (KLF), founded in 2016, is an annual [[literary festival]] held on the beaches of [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], India.
The 9th and the latest edition of KLF was held from January 22–25, 2026. Kerala Literature Festival is organized by the [[DC Kizhakemuri Foundation]], a philanthropic organization founded in 2001 as a tribute to late [[D.C. Kizhakemuri]] , a freedom fighter, social activist, writer, and publisher. He was instrumental in the abolishment of sales tax on books. Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is endorsed and supported by the [[Government of Kerala]], [[Tourism in Kerala|Kerala Tourism]] , and Culture Department.
Renowned poet – critic Prof. [[K. Satchidanandan]] is the Festival Director along with Publisher Ravi Deecee of [[DC Books]] is the Chief Facilitator. The editorial team of DC Books works closely with KLF on the content.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-literature-festival-to-be-held-in-kozhikode-from-january-12-2023/article65721709.ece | title=Kerala Literature Festival to be held in Kozhikode from January 12, 2023 | newspaper=The Hindu | date=3 August 2022 }}</ref>

== History, timeline ==
'''KLF 2026'''

The 9th edition of KLF took place from January 22nd to 25th, with [[Sunita Williams]] inaugurating the event. The speakers for the year included [[Jimmy Wales]], [[Abdulrazak Gurnah]], [[Abhijit Banerjee]], [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Manu S. Pillai]], [[Prakash Raj]], [[Kiran Desai]], [[Romila Thapar]] among others. [[Salman Rushdie]] joined for an online speaker session.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Varughese |first=Julie Merin |date=2026-01-22 |title=Astronaut Sunita Williams inaugurates Kerala Literature Festival |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/astronaut-sunita-williams-kozhikode-kerala-literature-festival-2026/article70536814.ece |access-date=2026-01-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=KLF 2026 KLF {{!}} Kerala Lit Fest {{!}} Literature Festival {{!}} Literary Festival 2026 |url=https://keralaliteraturefestival.com/speakers |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=keralaliteraturefestival.com}}</ref>

=== KLF 2025 ===
The 8th edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) took place from January 23–26, 2025, across four days of with 520 speakers, an audience of 500000, 330 insightful sessions, and seven venues, KLF 2025 brought literature, ideas, and culture to life like never before.

=== KLF 2024 ===
The 7th edition of KLF was held from January 11–15, 2024. More than 500 writers around the globe took part in the event.

=== KLF 2023 ===
The sixth edition of KLF was scheduled from 12- 15 January 2023. The festival returned to the beaches of Calicut after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was a grand celebration. KLF hosted Nobel Laureates, Oscar winners, Booker Prize recipients and other literary luminaries and celebrities from across the world. More than 400 speakers including bestselling writer [[Jeffrey Archer]], Nobel laureates [[Abhijit Banerjee]] and [[Ada Yonath]], [[Piyush Pandey]], [[Francesc Miralles]], [[Geetanjali Shree|Geethanjali Shree]], [[Wendy Doniger]], [[Ramachandra Guha]], [[Palanivel Thiagarajan]], [[Sanjeev Sanyal]], [[Anand Neelakantan]], [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Manu S. Pillai]], [[Prakash Raj]], and [[Shobhaa De]] took part in KLF 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/travel/kerala-literature-festival-to-be-held-from-january-12-to-15-news-213960 | title=Kerala Literature Festival to be Held from January 12 to 15 | date=3 August 2022 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.travelandleisureindia.in/insight/what-you-need-to-know/sixth-edition-of-kerala-literature-festival-to-be-held-in-2023/ | title=The Sixth Edition of Kerala Literature Festival to be Held in January 2023 | date=4 August 2022 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/kerala-literature-festival-is-set-to-return-in-january-2023/ | title=Kerala Literature Festival is set to return in January 2023 | date=4 August 2022 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/things-to-do/kerala-literature-festival-to-be-back-in-january-2023/articleshow/93361399.cms | title=Kerala Literature Festival to be back in January 2023 | newspaper=TimesOfIndia |date=4 August 2022 }}</ref>

=== e KLF 2021 ===
Asia's first e literature festival<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-27 |title=Poetry meet to kick off e-Kerala literature fest on Friday |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/poetry-meet-to-kick-off-e-kerala-literature-fest-on-friday-7332940/ |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>, E-KLF 2021 virtual festival was a step towards building international relations during the devastating pandemic. The digital edition also witnessed an International Poetry Festival with over 50 poets from more than 10 countries including Palestine, Israel, South Africa, Italy, United States of America, Ireland. The sessions were premiered on [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]] pages.
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://keralaliteraturefestival.com/news_more.aspx?id=MjIyNw==&year=2021 | title=E KLF 2021, Malayalam sessions to begin on Saturday at 7.30 pm|KLF-2021 }}</ref>

=== KLF 2020 ===
The fifth edition was held from 16 to 19 January 2020, at [[Kozhikode Beach]], with the presence of artists, actors, celebrities, writers, thinkers, and activists, discussing literature, art, cinema, culture, dance, music, environment, science, and technology. Cultural nights include fireside chats by acts and performing artists from around the world. Speakers at the previous editions include [[Arundhati Roy]], [[Richard Stallman]], [[Noam Chomsky]] (Video), [[Yuval Noah Harari]] (Video), [[Jaggi Vasudev|Sadhguru]], [[Romila Thapar]], [[Ramachandra Guha]], [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Rakesh Sharma]], [[Rishi Kapoor]], [[Chetan Bhagat]]h, [[Karan Thapar]], [[Rajdeep Sardesai]], [[Shobhaa De|Sobhaa De]] and [[Sagarika Ghose]]. In addition to literature, topics include environment and climate change. Spain was the guest nation, and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] literature was featured. The festival is open to the public and is non-exclusive and an open platform for discussions and idea exchanges.
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dcbooks.com/kerala-literature-festival-2020-begins-today.html/klf-2020-3 | title=KLF-2020- | DC Books | date=16 January 2020 }}</ref>

=== KLF 2019 ===
The fourth edition of the festival was held from 10 to 13 January 2019, at [[Kozhikode Beach]] with 500 + renowned authors, discussions, poetry festival, music, dance, movie screenings and photo exhibitions. Wales was chosen as the guest nation.
Set in five tracks- ''Ezhuthola'', ''Aksharam'', ''Thulika'', ''Vaaku'', ''Vellithira''. Kijote Kathakali by Ignacio Garcia, Sufi Rock Outfit Alif featuring [[Ulrike Almut Sandig]], Russian Music & Dance, Concert by [[L. Subramaniam|L Subramaniam]], Steffan Donnely performed a bilingual piece of contemporary theater, Qawwali night by Mystic Sufiana Mehfil were some of the defining moments of KLF 2019. [[Richard Stallman]], [[Yuval Noah Harari|Yuval Noah Harrari]], [[Shashi Tharoor]], [[Satish Alekar|Satish Aalekar]], [[Keki N. Daruwalla|Keki Daruwala]], [[Chetan Bhagat]], [[Caryl Lewis]], [[Ravinder Singh (author)|Ravinder Singh]] [[Jeet Thayil]] attended the festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/curtain-down-on-literature-fete/article22724685.ece|title=Curtain down on literature fete|newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 February 2018|publisher=|accessdate=27 February 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

=== KLF 2018 ===
The third edition of the festival was held from 8–11 February 2018, at Kozhikode Beach. KLF 2018 was inaugurated by [[Arundhati Roy]], MT Vasudevan Nair and Prakash Raj. The event was supported by the Kerala State Government and the Kerala Tourism Department, and by the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation and the district administration. The [http://kochimuzirisbiennale.org/ Kochi Muziris Biennale] was an integral part of the festival. Guest nation for the year was Ireland (represented by [[Gabriel Rosenstock]], Paddy Bushe, Liam Carson, [[Alan Titley]], Amanda Bell, and [[Conor Kostick]]).
[[Romila Thapar]], [[Ashis Nandy]], [[Sagarika Ghose]], [[Rajdeep Sardesai]], [[Noam Chomsky]], [[Rishi Kapoor]] participated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/060217/second-edition-of-kerala-literature-festival-concludes.html|title=Second edition of Kerala Literature Festival concludes- Deccan Chronicle|date=6 February 2017 |publisher=}}</ref>

=== KLF 2017 ===
The second edition of Kerala Literature Festival was held from 2–5 February 2017, at Kozhikode Beach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-literature-festival-klf-2017-there-something-everyone-set-begin-february-2-711048/|title=Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) 2017 set to begin on February 2; there is something for everyone-International Business Times|website=[[International Business Times]] |date=5 January 2017 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/art-and-culture/kerala-literature-festival-to-begin-on-feb-2-to-5-kozhikode.html/|title=Kozhikode beckons lovers of letters – manorama online|publisher=}}</ref>

Noted [[Malayalam]] short story writer and novelist [[Paul Zacharia]] inaugurated KLF 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-significance-of-2nd-ker-lit-fest-exemplarybeyond-explanation-2308795/|title=Significance of 2nd Ker Lit Fest exemplary, beyond explanation- Daily News and Analysis|publisher=}}</ref> Highlight of KLF 2017 was the interaction between [[Sadguru jaggi vasudev]], [[Sashi Kumar]] and [[Manju Warrier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/030217/kerala-literature-fest-begins-in-kozhikode-today.html|title=Kerala Literature Fest begins in Kozhikode today- Deccan Chronicle|date=3 February 2017 |publisher=}}</ref> [[Cartoon]]s of [[O. V. Vijayan]] were also exhibited in 2017 Kerala Literature Festival.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/kerala-literature-festival-a-window-to-ov-vijayans-cartoons/articleshow/56983118.cms|title=Kerala Literature Festival: A window to OV Vijayan's cartoons- Times Of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=5 February 2017 |publisher=}}</ref> Over 300 writers from across the world took part in KLF 2017.The writers from abroad include South African writer [[Ari Sitas]], and British-Pakistani writer [[Qaisra Shahraz]], Slovene writer [[Evald Flisar]], translator and editor of numerous publications Alexandra Büchler of [http://www.lit-across-frontiers.org Literature Across Frontiers], Portuguese translator Bruno Viera Amaral and poet and literary curator Nia Davies from [[Wales]], United Kingdom.The sessions held in four venues titled Ezhuthola, Aksharam, Thulika, and Vellithira.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20170129/3044821.html|title=Writers, activists from India, abroad to take part in Kerala Literature Festival- Web India|publisher=}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com%7ctodays-paper%7ctp-national%7ctp-kerala%7cKerala-literature-fete-from-Thursday%7carticle17115527.ece |title=Kerala literature fete from Thursday- The Hindu |publisher= |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923150541/http://www.cmc.dk/ |archivedate=23 September 2010 }}</ref>

The second edition of the festival introduced a programme for students, 'Student KLF', promoting [[knowledge]], literature, art and culture. The event included open [[discussions]] with authors on contemporary topics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/Kerala-Litearture-Festival-draws-huge-crowds/article17145543.ece/|title=Kerala Litearture{{sic|hide=y}} Festival draws huge crowds- The Hindu|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 February 2017 |publisher=}}</ref>

=== KLF 2016 ===
[[DC Kizhakemuri Foundation]] first thought of a cultural space for people to interact and come together which was later conceptualized in 2016 as Kerala Literature Festival. At Calicut is a converging place of history, culture and trade. [[Vasco da Gama]], the great Portuguese [[explorer]] touched down the Indian subcontinent on the shores of the city. The Freedom Square, permanent venue of KLF was constructed by former [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] M Pradeep Kumar constructed the square. The architect's team, ''De- Earth'' led by P.P Vivek and Vinod Cyriac envisioned and designed the Square. The Freedom Square today ranks among the six world's must-see museums and was featured in ''Architecture Plus Design''.
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dcbooks.com/klf-venue-the-freedom-square-ranks-among-six-worlds-must-see-museums.html | title=KLF Venue – the Freedom Square Ranks Among Six World's Must-See Museums | date=19 January 2022 }}</ref>

The festival aims to provide a non-aligned platform for cultural exchange and promotes free speech and dialogue. It brings writers, thinkers, and activists closer, to people of varied backgrounds and interests and empowers writers and thinkers to take the liberty to exercise freedom of thought and expression.
The first edition witnessed writers and speakers including [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair|M T Vasudevan Nair]], [[Adoor Gopalakrishnan]], Anand, [[Taslima Nasrin]], Ashok Vajpeyi, [[Khadeeja Mumtaz]], [[M. Mukundan|M.Mukundan]], [[Sarah Joseph (author)|Sarah Joseph]], Githa Hariharan, [[Meena Kandasamy]], Pratibha Ray, [[T. D. Ramakrishnan|TD Ramakrishnan]], T Padmanabhan, Subhash Chandran, [[Leena Manimekalai]] , and Girish Kasaravalli, to name a few.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://keralaeditor.com/kerala-literature-festival-2016/|title=Kozhikode All Set For Kerala Literature Festival– Kerala Editor|publisher=}}</ref>

== Children’s Kerala Literature Festival ( CKLF ) ==
The '''Children’s Kerala Literature Festival (CKLF)''', organised in parallel with the Kerala Literature Festival, is a dynamic platform dedicated to nurturing a love for books and creativity among young minds. Hosted along the scenic coastline of Kozhikode, CKLF transforms literature into an immersive experience through thoughtfully curated storytelling sessions, interactive workshops, illustrator engagements, and masterclasses led by celebrated authors and artists from India and across the globe.

By bringing together voices from diverse literary traditions and international delegations, CKLF offers children meaningful exposure to global narratives and creative practices. The festival venue is carefully designed to be welcoming and child-centric, encouraging curiosity, imagination, and joyful exploration—making literature accessible, exciting, and memorable for young readers.

Access to selected sessions of the Children’s Kerala Literature Festival has been managed through structured ticketing and pre-registration systems to regulate attendance and ensure controlled entry.<ref>https://www.keralaliteraturefestival.com/</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="nolines">
File:KLF 2026 speakers-1.jpg|alt=KLF 2026 speakers
File:KLF 2026 speakers-2.jpg|alt=KLF 2026 speakers
File:KLF 2025-1.jpg|klf 2025 session crowd
File:Keralaliteraturefestival 08697.JPG|M T Vasudevan Nair at KLF 2016
File:KLF-2016 09315.JPG|Anita Nair and K R Meera at KLF 2016
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Kerala Literature Festival}}

[[Category:Literary festivals in India]]
[[Category:Culture of Kozhikode]]
[[Category:2016 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language literature]]

Kerala Literature Festival - Revision history

MochenKitche at 08:59, 2 May 2026