Specialty Literary / Storytelling Festival-Kochi

About this place

FESTA (Festival of Storytelling at Ala) is a distinctive cultural event that celebrates the timeless tradition of storytelling by bringing together storytellers, artists, educators, musicians, and audiences in an immersive festival dedicated to oral narratives and shared human experiences. Hosted at the Ala Centre for Culture and Alternative Education in Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam, the festival is organized in collaboration with the Mulanthuruthy Grama Panchayat and the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), reflecting a partnership between cultural organizations and local public institutions to promote storytelling as a meaningful form of artistic expression and community engagement. The 2026 edition of FESTA was held on 11 and 12 April 2026, marking one of Kerala's first dedicated live storytelling festivals and presenting a diverse programme designed to appeal to children, families, students, educators, artists, and literature enthusiasts. The festival featured 43 live storytelling sessions presented by regional, national, and international storytellers, creating opportunities for audiences to experience stories rooted in folklore, personal memories, social realities, history, mythology, and contemporary life. In addition to storytelling performances, FESTA included interactive workshops, music performances, and a giant puppet parade, encouraging visitors to actively participate in creative and cultural activities rather than simply observe them. The 2026 festival was inaugurated by noted Malayalam writer Paul Zacharia, whose presence highlighted the close relationship between storytelling and Kerala's rich literary tradition. A unique feature of FESTA is its emphasis on preserving oral narratives through the digital documentation of storytelling sessions, workshops, performances, and interactions between storytellers and audiences, creating a lasting cultural archive that can serve as a valuable educational resource beyond the festival itself. The event also encourages storytellers from different backgrounds to share personal experiences and narratives, fostering dialogue across generations and communities while demonstrating storytelling's enduring role in preserving cultural heritage and strengthening human connections. By combining traditional oral storytelling with contemporary performance practices, music, and participatory learning experiences, FESTA creates an environment where both children and adults can appreciate the power of stories as tools for education, creativity, empathy, and cultural exchange. Unlike conventional literary festivals that primarily focus on books and author discussions, FESTA places spoken storytelling at its centre, highlighting the living tradition of oral narratives that has shaped communities for centuries. The festival also contributes to cultural tourism in Ernakulam by introducing visitors to Mulanthuruthy's creative landscape while supporting local artists, volunteers, and cultural practitioners. Official registration and delegate passes were made available for the 2026 edition, with participation options for both single-day and full-festival attendance, while children below a specified age were admitted without a delegate pass according to the organizers' published guidelines. Through its combination of live performances, workshops, music, community participation, and cultural documentation, FESTA has established itself as an innovative addition to Kerala's cultural calendar and demonstrates how storytelling continues to remain relevant in the modern world. As an evolving cultural initiative, the festival aims to strengthen appreciation for oral traditions while providing a platform for artists and audiences to exchange ideas, experiences, and narratives in an inclusive and engaging environment. Official festival schedules, programme details, participating storytellers, delegate registration, venue information, and visitor guidelines are announced by the Ala Centre for Culture and Alternative Education and its organizing partners for each edition.

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

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport

🚌 Bus: Mulanthuruthy Bus Stand / Karavatte Kurish Bus Stop / Chottanikkara Bus Stand

🏨 Stay: Budget hotels, homestays, serviced apartments, and heritage accommodations available around Mulanthuruthy, Chottanikkara, Tripunithura, and nearby Kochi suburbs

✅ Notes: Usually organized at cultural halls, auditoriums, libraries, heritage venues, or community centres in and around Mulanthuruthy. The event promotes literature, arts, cultural heritage, and community participation through exhibitions, performances, discussions, and related cultural activities.