Kochi Literature Festival

About this place

The Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) is one of Kerala's largest and longest-running literary events, serving as a major annual gathering for readers, publishers, authors, educators, students, and literary enthusiasts. Organized by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi, the festival has become an important platform for promoting reading, publishing, and literary exchange while showcasing the rich diversity of Indian and international literature. The 29th Kochi International Book Festival is scheduled to be held from 1 to 10 November 2026 at the Ernakulathappan Ground in Ernakulam, Kochi, with the exhibition open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Throughout the festival, visitors can explore a large collection of book stalls featuring publications in Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tamil, and several other languages, covering genres such as fiction, non-fiction, children's literature, biographies, history, science, philosophy, academic publications, competitive examination books, reference materials, and regional literature. The event provides an opportunity for readers to discover new releases, interact with publishers, and browse an extensive selection of books from leading publishing houses, booksellers, educational institutions, government organizations, and literary societies. Alongside the book exhibition, the festival hosts the Kochi Literature Festival, which traditionally conducts literary sessions during the latter part of the event. These programmes include book launches, literary seminars, author interactions, panel discussions on contemporary social and cultural issues, poetry sessions, and conversations involving writers, historians, scientists, journalists, artists, translators, and scholars from diverse linguistic and professional backgrounds. Evening cultural programmes featuring music and artistic performances further enrich the visitor experience, transforming the event into a comprehensive celebration of literature, culture, and the arts. Over nearly three decades, the Kochi International Book Festival has played a significant role in strengthening Kerala's reading culture by encouraging literary appreciation among people of all age groups while supporting the state's publishing industry. The festival attracts families, students, researchers, teachers, librarians, and book collectors who visit not only to purchase books but also to participate in discussions, discover emerging authors, and engage with leading literary personalities. Educational institutions and cultural organizations actively participate in the event through exhibitions, awareness programmes, and literary initiatives that encourage reading habits and intellectual curiosity. The festival also provides a valuable platform for debut writers and independent publishers to present their work alongside established publishing houses, creating an inclusive environment that supports literary diversity and creative expression. Its central location at Ernakulathappan Ground makes the venue easily accessible for visitors from Kochi and neighbouring districts, contributing to its popularity as one of Kerala's major cultural attractions. Through its combination of an extensive book exhibition, literary programmes, cultural performances, educational activities, and opportunities for interaction between readers and authors, the Kochi International Book Festival continues to be a landmark event in Kerala's cultural calendar. Official schedules, exhibitor information, participating authors, literary session details, visitor guidelines, and other festival announcements are released by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi through the official Book Fest Kochi platform for each edition.

🚆 Nearest Railway: Ernakulam Junction Railway Station / Ernakulam Town Railway Station

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport

🚌 Bus: High Court Junction Bus Stop / Marine Drive Bus Stop / Boat Jetty Bus Stop

🏨 Stay: Waterfront hotels, business hotels, serviced apartments, and budget accommodations available around Marine Drive, MG Road, Shenoys, and Ernakulam city centre

✅ Notes: Kochi Literature Festival is a prominent literary gathering featuring authors, poets, journalists, thinkers, publishers, and cultural personalities from India and abroad. The festival includes author talks, panel discussions, book launches, poetry sessions, workshops, and cultural performances, celebrating literature, ideas, and creative expression in Kochi.