The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) is one of India’s most prominent literary and cultural festivals, conceived as a forum where literature intersects with ideas, society, politics, art and contemporary global discourse. Since its inception, the festival has positioned itself not merely as a celebration of books, but as a festival of conversations, bringing together writers, thinkers, artists, translators, journalists and readers from across India and the world.

Organisers and Vision

MBIFL is organised by the Mathrubhumi Group, one of India’s oldest and most respected media and publishing houses, with a legacy rooted deeply in Kerala’s literary and socio-political history. Founded in 1923, Mathrubhumi has played a formative role in shaping public discourse in India through journalism, publishing and cultural initiatives.

The festival is curated and managed by Mathrubhumi Books and Mathrubhumi Event Division, with the objective of creating a global intellectual space rooted in Indian linguistic and cultural traditions. The organisers have consistently emphasised inclusivity, multilingualism and critical dialogue as the core pillars of the festival.

By hosting MBIFL annually in Kozhikode — a city historically known for its openness, trade links and literary heritage — the organisers aim to position Kerala as a global destination for literary exchange and cultural thought.

What the Festival Represents

Unlike conventional literature festivals focused primarily on book launches or author readings, MBIFL is designed as an idea-driven platform. The festival foregrounds:

• Literature as a tool for social and political reflection
• Dialogue between Indian languages and global literatures
• Translation as cultural mediation rather than mere linguistic conversion
• Intersections between literature, history, science, cinema, philosophy, environment and democracy

The festival actively brings together voices from diverse backgrounds, ensuring representation across geographies, languages, disciplines and generations.

MBIFL 2026: 7th Edition — Dates, Venue and Structure

The 7th edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL 2026) was held from January 29 to February 1, 2026, in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala.

Spanning four days, the festival featured an extensive programme of discussions, author interactions, panel sessions, workshops and performances hosted across multiple venues in the city. These included auditoriums, cultural centres, academic institutions and public spaces, enabling broad public access.

Key Highlights of MBIFL 2026

Global Participation:
The 2026 edition featured a strong international presence, with writers, scholars and cultural commentators from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas participating alongside leading Indian authors and intellectuals.

Multilingual Focus:
A defining highlight of MBIFL 2026 was its continued emphasis on Indian languages, particularly Malayalam, alongside English and other global languages. Several sessions focused on translation, linguistic identity and the future of regional literatures in a globalised world.

Thematic Conversations:

The festival curated discussions around themes such as:

• Literature and democracy
• Memory, history and identity
• Climate change and ecological narratives
• Migration, borders and belonging
• The evolving role of storytelling in the digital age

These sessions brought together novelists, poets, historians, journalists and activists, encouraging cross-disciplinary dialogue.

Translation and Cultural Exchange:
Special sessions were dedicated to translation as both a creative and political act, examining how stories move across languages and cultures and how translation shapes global literary circulation.

Youth and Student Engagement:
MBIFL 2026 placed strong emphasis on engaging young readers and writers through interactive workshops, campus-linked programmes and student-focused discussions, strengthening the festival’s outreach beyond elite literary circles.

Performative and Artistic Elements:
In addition to discussions, the festival featured poetry readings, literary performances and cultural presentations that blended literature with music, theatre and oral storytelling traditions.

Public Access and Media Engagement

Many sessions at MBIFL 2026 were open to the public, reinforcing the festival’s democratic ethos. Select discussions were also livestreamed, allowing national and international audiences to engage with the festival remotely.

The event attracted significant attention from national and regional media, literary publications and cultural platforms, underlining its growing importance in India’s cultural calendar.

Cultural Significance and Impact

Over the years, MBIFL has emerged as a key cultural institution that bridges regional and global literary ecosystems. Its impact extends beyond the festival days, influencing reading cultures, translation initiatives and intellectual debates within and beyond Kerala.

For Kozhikode, the festival has become a defining annual event, boosting cultural tourism and reinforcing the city’s identity as a centre of ideas, literature and dialogue.

Why MBIFL Matters

The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters stands out because it treats literature not as an isolated art form, but as a living, questioning practice deeply connected to society. In an era marked by polarisation and information overload, MBIFL’s insistence on dialogue, nuance and critical engagement gives it renewed relevance.

The 7th edition in 2026 reaffirmed the festival’s role as a space where stories, ideas and languages meet — not to compete, but to converse.