Kerala Legislature International Book Festival

The Kerala Legislature International Book Festival is an annual public literary festival organised by the Kerala Legislative Assembly at its complex in Thiruvananthapuram. It combines a large book exhibition with conversations about literature, society, culture, education, and public life.

The festival welcomes readers of different ages and backgrounds, with publishers, writers, journalists, scholars, students, and cultural practitioners taking part in its programme. Visitors can also experience selected public-facing spaces and activities connected with the Legislature.

• Early January — The main festival period is generally held at the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex.
• Opening day — The programme begins with an inaugural session followed by literary and cultural activities.
• Throughout the festival — Book launches, discussions, author interactions, student activities, competitions, and cultural programmes take place across the venue.

Reading and knowledge — The festival promotes reading and wider access to books while encouraging curiosity and independent thought.

Dialogue — Conversations among writers, readers, students, and public figures create space for discussion of literary, social, cultural, and civic subjects.

Public participation — By holding the event at the Legislature, the festival connects a major cultural gathering with an important public institution and encourages citizens to engage with it.

The festival was established as a cultural initiative of the Kerala Legislative Assembly in connection with the centenary celebrations of its legislative library. The library has roots in the former Travancore administration and developed into the Kerala Legislative Assembly Library after the formation of the state.

The book festival subsequently developed into an annual literary event, expanding from its library-centenary setting into a broader programme of book exhibitions, literary conversations, student activities, cultural performances, and public engagement.

Readers and visitors — Visitors browse publisher stalls, attend literary sessions, meet authors, explore books, and take part in public programmes.

Students — Student-focused activities include quizzes, storytelling, book-related competitions, model-assembly experiences, and other educational programmes.

Writers and publishers — Authors participate in talks, interviews, discussions, readings, and book launches, while publishers present a wide range of titles.

Performers and cultural groups — Cultural presentations, traditional arts, music, and other public programmes complement the literary schedule.

The festival opens with an inaugural programme before visitors move through book stalls and scheduled literary sessions. During the following days, talks, panel discussions, author interactions, book launches, readings, competitions, and student programmes run across different venues in the complex. Cultural performances and food-related activities add a broader Kerala cultural dimension. The festival concludes after the final programme and public activities.

Thiruvananthapuram — The festival is centred on the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex, where book exhibitions and most literary and cultural activities are held.

Kerala-wide participation — Malayalam publishers, writers, readers, schools, colleges, and cultural organisations form an important part of the festival, while participation also extends to writers and publishers from elsewhere in India and abroad.

• Browsing publisher book stalls
• Author interactions and book discussions
• Book launches and literary readings
• Student quizzes and competitions
• Model assembly activities
• Cultural and traditional art performances
• Exploring the Legislative Assembly and museum during public access periods

Books — Represent reading, learning, imagination, and the exchange of ideas.

Legislative Assembly complex — Connects literary and cultural participation with a public democratic institution.

Library — Represents the preservation and sharing of knowledge and the historical foundation of the festival.

Malayalam literature — Reflects Kerala's strong literary traditions while the festival also welcomes writing from other languages and regions.

• The festival is organised by the Kerala Legislative Assembly and is held at its complex in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Its origins are connected with the history and public opening of the Kerala Legislative Assembly Library.
• The programme combines a book exhibition with literary discussions, author interactions, competitions, and cultural events.
• Student-focused programming includes activities such as quizzes, storytelling, book-related competitions, and model assembly sessions.
• The festival has included opportunities for visitors to see the Legislative Assembly Hall and Legislative Museum.
• Food and traditional cultural performances have been included alongside the literary programme, giving the event a wider cultural character.