The eighth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) is set to bring together six Booker Prize winners and shortlisted nominees from the past two years. The festival will begin on January 23 and is expected to attract over half a million attendees over four days in Kozhikode.
Recognised as Asia’s largest literary gathering, the festival will feature some of the most prominent figures in the literary and intellectual worlds. Among them are MP Shashi Tharoor, historian Ramachandra Guha, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr Venki Ramakrishnan, and poet and novelist Jeet Thayil.
This year, France will be the guest country—over 15 authors and eight publishers from France will participate in KLF 2025, including novelist and filmmaker Philippe Claudel, historian Pierre Singaravélou, and celebrated French authors and artists such as Julie Stephen Chheng, Chowra Makaremi, Timothée de Fombelle, and Alfred Lionel Papagalli. In addition, crime writer Johanna Gustawsson, graphic novelist Zeina Abirached, illustrator Cheyenne Olivier, and artist Fred Nevché will showcase the diversity of French literature and art.
In addition to France, 15 other countries will be represented at KLF 2025, including the UK, Spain, Germany, Sri Lanka, the USA, Singapore, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Latvia, and Sweden.
“With over 500 distinguished speakers from around the world, KLF 2025 will be an unparalleled platform for intellectual exchange, creativity, and collaboration. As we continue to grow, our aim is to make this festival a global meeting point for diverse voices, inspiring new ideas and a deeper understanding of the world around us,” says Ravi Deecee, chief facilitator of the Kerala Literature Festival.
The festival will host a wide range of figures from various disciplines, including flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia, violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam, journalist Sunitha Krishnan, and author Manu S Pillai, who will delve into literature, politics, and culture. Writers Francesc Miralles, Defne Suman, and Abraham Verghese will offer unique insights into travel, music, and environmentalism.
The festival will also feature luminaries such as Nobel laureate economist Esther Duflo, French intellectual Cheyenne Olivier, and scholar-poet Dr T Sumathy, whose work has inspired audiences worldwide. With contributions from storytellers like Durjoy Dutta and Johanna Gustawsson to thought leaders like Angela Saini, KLF 2025 promises a diverse and intellectually enriching experience for all attendees.
