Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters

About this place

The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) is one of India's leading literary and cultural festivals and is widely regarded as South India's largest annual celebration of literature, ideas, art, and intellectual discourse. Organized by the Mathrubhumi media group, one of Kerala's oldest and most respected media institutions founded in 1923, the festival serves as a global platform where writers, poets, journalists, artists, filmmakers, academics, scientists, historians, policymakers, and public intellectuals come together to exchange ideas and engage in meaningful conversations across disciplines. Since its launch in 2018, MBIFL has grown into a landmark event in Kerala's cultural calendar, attracting participants and audiences from around the world while reinforcing Thiruvananthapuram's reputation as a vibrant centre for literature, arts, and public dialogue. Hosted at the historic Kanakakkunnu Palace and its surrounding venues in the heart of the city, the festival transforms the heritage campus into a lively cultural space featuring literary discussions, debates, performances, exhibitions, book launches, interactive sessions, and artistic showcases. The seventh edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters was held from 29 January to 1 February 2026 under the theme "Paradox of Pace," exploring the opportunities and challenges created by an increasingly fast-moving world. Through discussions spanning literature, technology, politics, society, cinema, science, environment, philosophy, travel, history, and contemporary culture, the festival encouraged participants to reflect on how rapid change influences creativity, human relationships, knowledge, and everyday life. According to the organizers, the 2026 edition brought together more than 400 international and Indian speakers representing all five continents, making it one of the most diverse editions of the festival. The programme featured authors, journalists, poets, scholars, diplomats, scientists, filmmakers, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders participating in conversations that crossed linguistic, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries. Alongside literary sessions, MBIFL also included poetry readings, book launches, cultural performances, exhibitions, and interactive engagements that celebrated both established and emerging voices from India and abroad. A distinctive feature of the festival is its multidisciplinary approach, where literature becomes the starting point for broader discussions on democracy, environment, artificial intelligence, economics, social justice, media, culture, innovation, and global affairs, making the event accessible to readers as well as audiences with diverse interests. The festival also encourages youth participation through student-focused initiatives, pre-event engagements, interactive workshops, and opportunities for aspiring writers and creators to interact directly with internationally acclaimed speakers. The scenic setting of Kanakakkunnu Palace, combined with open-air venues and cultural performances, creates a welcoming atmosphere where literature, music, theatre, and visual arts coexist, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience beyond conventional literary festivals. Over the years, MBIFL has hosted Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, internationally acclaimed novelists, historians, filmmakers, journalists, and influential public intellectuals, reflecting its commitment to fostering dialogue across cultures and disciplines. The event has become an important platform for celebrating reading, storytelling, creative expression, and critical thinking while strengthening Kerala's long-standing literary tradition and its global cultural connections. Each edition introduces a new central theme, ensuring that discussions remain relevant to contemporary social, political, technological, and environmental developments while encouraging thoughtful public engagement. As a ticketed cultural festival, MBIFL continues to evolve with expanded programming that includes live performances, cultural showcases, exhibitions, and interactive experiences alongside its core literary sessions. Official schedules, speaker line-ups, delegate registrations, ticket information, cultural programmes, venue details, and visitor guidelines are announced by the organizers for every edition through the official Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters platform, allowing visitors to plan their participation based on the latest programme announcements and event updates.

🚆 Railway: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station / Kochuveli Railway Station

✈️ Airport: Trivandrum International Airport

🚌 Bus: Kanakakkunnu Bus Stop / Vellayambalam Bus Stop / Thampanoor KSRTC Bus Terminal

🏨 Stay: Hotels, heritage stays, and serviced apartments available near Vellayambalam, Kowdiar, and Statue areas

✅ Notes: Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) at Kanakakkunnu, Trivandrum is a…