Kerala Lit Festival '25 to be held from Jan 23-26; unveil first list of speakers

The Kerala Literature Festival KLF 2025 one of the countrys most prestigious literary festivals is set to make history with an exciting lineup of speakers and an impressive guest country for this edition Scheduled to take place in Kozhikode in Kerala from January 23 to 26 2025 KLF 2025 promises to be a celebration of culture literature and global exchangeThis year the festival will welcome France as its guest country a partnership that will shine a spotlight on French literary traditions culture and intellectual thought Francersquos involvement promises to bring a fresh dimension to the festival with various sessions dedicated to exploring the rich artistic heritage of the country from its literary classics to contemporary thought leadersFrancersquos Ambassador to India HE Mr Thierry Mathou expressed his excitement about the collaboration emphasizing the importance of fostering crosscultural dialogue and celebrating French creativity on such a significant platformKLF 2025 has already garnered immense attention with its diverse lineup of over 500 speakers from 15 different countries making it one of the most anticipated cultural gatherings of the year The festival will feature a host of distinguished figures including Booker Prize winners Nobel laureates and renowned intellectualsSome of the biggest names in the literary and intellectual circles such as Shashi Tharoor member of parliament Ramachandra Guha historian Dr Venki Ramakrishnan Nobel Prize winner and Jeet Thayil poet and novelist will grace the event with their presence The festival will also welcome artists and thought leaders from various fields including cinema science and business providing a dynamic platform for dialogue and exchange Notable speakers include historian William Dalrymple journalist and author S Hussain Zaidi and Booker Prize winner Jenny ErpenbeckIn addition to these luminaries a wide range of personalities from various professions will contribute to the festivals rich diversity Some of the notable figures include flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam journalist Sunitha Krishnan and author Manu S Pillai who will explore different aspects of literature politics and culture Participants such as Francesc Miralles novelist Defne Suman author and Abraham Verghese writer and physician will bring unique perspectives from fields as varied as travel music and environmentalismThe festival will also feature eminent figures like Nobel Prize winner Esther Duflo economist Cheyenne Olivier French thinker and T Sumathy Dr scholar and poet whose thoughtprovoking work has inspired audiences worldwide From storytellers like Durjoy Dutta and Johanna Gustawson to intellectuals like Angela Saini the lineup ensures a rich and diverse experience for attendeesThe event will also highlight international thought leaders with speakers such as Georgi Gospodinov Bulgarian novelist Philippe Claudel French author Michael Hoffman German poet and Dan Morrison journalist and author These individuals will bring global perspectives on a variety of topics including history politics and the environment KLF 2025 is not only a celebration of literature but also a gathering of minds from all walks of life including public figures like Naseeruddin Shah Indian actor Ratna Pathak Indian actress and director and leading media personalities like Jerry Pinto Indian author and journalist The festivalrsquos sessions will be further enriched by the presence of literary voices like poet Arundhathi Subramaniam and novelists Paul Lynch Irish novelist and Booker Prize winner Mariko Shinju Japanese illustrator and Sophie Mackintosh British novelistAdding a melodious touch to the festival performances by Ustad Mukhtyar Ali Ustad Waseem Ahmed Khan and Priya Purushothaman will captivate the audience providing a harmonious blend of literature and music These performances promise to be an unforgettable experience celebrating the unity of artistic expressionsWith this diverse and illustrious list of speakers KLF 2025 is shaping up to be an unparalleled event for lovers of literature culture and intellectual exchange The addition of France as the guest country alongside the participation of such distinguished figures underscores the global significance of the Kerala Literature Festival and its growing influence on the international cultural and literary landscape As the festival draws nearer the excitement continues to build promising an unforgettable celebration of ideas creativity and cultural diversityRavi Deecee chief facilitator of the Kerala Literature Festival said We are truly excited to welcome France as the guest country for the Kerala Literature Festival 2025 This collaboration brings an incredible opportunity to celebrate the rich literary and cultural traditions of France while fostering a dynamic global dialogue 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