Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 28: Often hailed as a “spring of words,” the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) returns for its seventh edition on January 29, reaffirming its place as South India’s foremost literary and cultural festival.
The four-day-long festival at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Kanakakkunnu, will be inaugurated at 10 am by legendary Malayalam actor Mohanlal, marking the opening of one of the country’s most anticipated forums for literary dialogue and cultural exchange.
Over the last six years, MBIFL has emerged as a major platform for literary dialogue and cultural exchange, attracting writers, thinkers, artists, and audiences from across India and overseas.
Often described as a “spring of words,” the festival offers four days of sustained engagement with literature, arts, and ideas, providing space for reflection, debate, and creative expression in a setting that has become synonymous with the event.
Mohanlal, an iconic presence in Indian cinema whose career spans generations, will light the ceremonial lamp at the inaugural ceremony. Responding to the invitation, the actor said he considered it a special privilege and added that he was keenly looking forward to being part of the festival.
The opening ceremony will be attended by M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group and widely regarded as a global ambassador of the Malayali diaspora, who will participate as the chief guest. The festival director and curator, former Kerala Chief Secretary Dr V. Venu, will deliver the opening address, setting the tone for the four-day intellectual and cultural gathering.
Keynote addresses on the inaugural day will be delivered by distinguished writers from India and abroad. Celebrated Malayalam author K. R. Meera, known for acclaimed works such as Aarachaar, Qabar, Nethronmeelanam, Ave Mariya, and Kalachi, will share the stage with Swiss-German novelist Jonas Lüscher, the author of Kraft: A Novel and Barbarian Spring.
While literature remains the festival’s central focus, MBIFL is noted for its wide-ranging thematic scope. Eminent speakers from diverse fields, including science, anthropology, diplomacy, politics, visual and performing arts, culinary studies, environment, sports, travel, cinema, music, archaeology, history, business, media, social issues, spirituality, religion, philosophy, language, and artificial intelligence, will lead lectures, panel discussions, and debates across the four days.
The programme also includes evening cultural performances, artistic presentations, and interactive sessions, offering audiences a blend of intellectual discourse and creative celebration. The festival will conclude on February 1, with participation open to the public through prior registration.