Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor officially launched the countdown to the much-anticipated ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) with a vibrant curtain-raising event at his Delhi residence. The evening set the stage for KLF 2026, which will be held from January 21 to 25 on the scenic Kozhikode Beach.
A Warm Welcome Amidst Delhi's Chill
Braving the capital's cold winter night and poor air quality, Tharoor greeted guests with handshakes and hugs, wrapped in a traditional Kani shawl and wearing a portable air purifier. The intimate gathering marked the beginning of the festival's promotional activities, highlighting this year's significant international partnership.
Germany Honoured as Guest Nation
In a major announcement, Tharoor revealed that Germany will be the guest nation for KLF 2026. He framed this collaboration as a profound meeting of minds between two rich literary traditions. "The arrival of Germany on Kozhikode Beach symbolises a confluence," Tharoor stated, emphasising a shared commitment to exploring the human condition through words.
He reflected on the enduring relevance of German literature in India, recalling his own university days acting in a production of Bertolt Brecht's Saint Joan of the Stockyards. In today's divisive world, Tharoor asserted, "such cultural collaborations are also acts of quiet resistance."
Ambassador's Praise for 'God's Own Country'
German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, was a keynote speaker at the event. Expressing his delight, he contrasted Delhi's cold with the warmth of Kerala, declaring, "Kerala is the place for literature in India."
Ackermann elaborated on the festival's significance, calling it "more than just a festival" but a celebration of literature's democratic spirit. He highlighted Germany's desire to showcase its modern, diverse, and reflective literary scene at KLF. The Ambassador also paid homage to historical ties, noting that it was the German scholar and linguist Hermann Gundert, a great admirer of Malayalam and Kerala, who first called the state 'God's Own Country'.
Festival of Light and Ideas
Ambassador Ackermann also revealed plans for a spectacular light installation on Kozhikode Beach during the festival. He poetically connected the theme of light to literature's role, saying it offers "clarity amid confusion, warmth in isolation, and guidance when we are lost—particularly we politicians," he added with a laugh.
The Kerala Literature Festival 2026 promises to be a significant cultural bridge, strengthening Indo-German literary connections while celebrating the power of stories and ideas on the shores of Kozhikode.
