Kochi: The Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL), one of India’s largest literary festivals, has announced a series of pre-festival activations aimed at building momentum and engaging writers, thinkers, and cultural enthusiasts ahead of its 2026 edition.
The pre-festival programme begins with Double Strong “Kaduppathiloru Charcha”, a series of thought-provoking discussions designed to spark literary and cultural conversations across Kerala. The initiative will span seven districts, with curated themes hosted at popular coffee shops to create informal yet engaging spaces for dialogue. Kosamattam Finance Ltd is the partner for this initiative.
Each district will explore a distinct theme reflecting contemporary social and cultural concerns. Kannur will examine “Political Awareness vs. Political Fatigue,” while Calicut will host discussions on “Gulf Dream vs. Startup Dream – Youth Perspectives.” Thrissur will explore urban culture through “Samskaarathinte Nagaravum, Nagarathinte Samskaaravum,” while Kochi will focus on the theme of Urban Loneliness. Alleppey will host “Vakkinte Nellarayil Vayarinte Paattu – Ezhuthu, Paattu, Viplavam,” celebrating folk expression and social commentary. Kollam will explore labour and literature through “Thozhilinteyum Vakkinteyum Thuramukham,” while Trivandrum will examine societal pressures through “Middle-Class Pressure Cooker – Success, Marriage, EMI.”
Adding a strong youth-centric element, MBIFL will also host The Tharoor Sabha, inviting participants aged 18–30 to submit short video entries of under one minute on the topic “Should social media be restricted?” via WhatsApp before January 20. Fourteen participants—one from each district—will be selected to share the stage with author, politician, and diplomat Shashi Tharoor during a special festival session titled Tharoor Sabha. Fortune IAS Academy is the powered-by sponsor for this initiative.
Commenting on the pre-festival activations, M V Shreyams Kumar, Managing Director, Mathrubhumi Group, said, “The MBIFL 26, pre activations are a powerful prelude to what the festival promises and sets the stage for a festival that celebrates literature, and critical thoughts like no other, through activations like Kaduppathiloru Charcha and Tharoor Sabha, MBIFL 26, brings literature into the heart of communities and celebrate Kerala’s rich cultural and literary heritage while fostering dialogue, creativity, and reflection across generations”.
Mayura Shreyams Kumar, Director Digital Operations, Mathrubhumi Group, added, “The Tharoor Sabha and other pre activations are designed to bring literature and dialogue in everyday spaces, from coffee shops to digital platforms, give young minds and local communities to express ideas, question norms, engage and explore creativity, with some of the most inspiring voices in literature and public life. MBIFL is committed to nurturing the voices of the next generation”.
The 7th edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026 is scheduled to be held from January 29 to February 1, 2026, at Kanakakkunnu Palace, Trivandrum.
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