New Delhi: The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is set to return to the scenic Kozhikode beachfront from January 22 to 25, 2026, bringing together over 400 speakers from diverse fields, ranging from literature and arts to science, sports, and social thought. Now in its ninth edition, KLF has grown into one of India’s premier cultural events, offering a platform for global exchange of ideas and celebration of creativity.

Among the confirmed speakers for KLF 2026 are Nobel laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee, Booker Prize-winning writer-activist Banu Mushtaq, Olympian Ben Johnson, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, and artist Cheyenne Olivier. Prominent economists, including Arvind Subramanian, and noted Indian authors such as Shobhaa De, Amish Tripathi, Gabriela Ybarra, and Peggy Mohan will also participate.

The four-day festival will feature 250 sessions across seven parallel tracks, alongside evening performances, concerts, and artistic showcases along the beachfront, allowing visitors to engage with a wide spectrum of ideas and cultural expressions.

“KLF has evolved into a platform where literature and art coexist with science, cinema, and social thought. Every year, it becomes a meeting point for some of the most creative and courageous minds from around the world. The 2026 edition will continue this journey by deepening the exchange of ideas and celebrating cultural diversity,” said Ravi Deecee, chief facilitator of KLF.

Germany has been named the guest nation for KLF 2026, marking a special focus on cultural exchange between Kerala and Germany. The country’s participation will include a dedicated pavilion, a writing residency for German authors in Vagamon, and a creative writing workshop for emerging Malayalam writers.

“Germany shares a close cultural relationship with Kerala, and we are excited to reaffirm this relationship through our programming for the Kerala Literature Festival. Together with our partners, the German Consulate in Bengaluru and the Goethe-Zentrum in Trivandrum, we will bring German authors and artists to the warm sands of Kozhikode beach,” said Michael Heinst, director of Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Bengaluru.

The German pavilion will showcase contemporary literature, art, and creative industries, complemented by a large-scale light installation on Kozhikode Beach, serving as a visual centerpiece symbolising collaboration and cross-cultural engagement. This follows the successful participation of France as the guest nation in the previous edition, which drew over 6,50,000 visitors and 600 speakers.

In addition to panel discussions and literary talks, KLF 2026 will continue to emphasise immersive cultural experiences, featuring fusion nights, concerts, theatre, and both traditional and contemporary art performances. The festival promises to offer attendees an enriched environment for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exploration.

With the combination of internationally acclaimed speakers, diverse sessions, and a vibrant festival atmosphere, KLF 2026 is poised to reaffirm its status as a global platform for literature, arts, and ideas.

The festival will conclude on January 25, marking four days of intellectual exchange, artistic showcase, and celebration of literary culture on the shores of Kozhikode.