Thiruvananthapuram witnessed the grand opening of a major literary celebration on Wednesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan officially inaugurated the fourth edition of the Kerala Legislative Assembly International Book Festival (KLIBF 2026). The ceremony was held at the R Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall within the state assembly complex, marking the start of a seven-day cultural extravaganza.
A Gathering of Literary Luminaries
The inauguration event was presided over by Speaker A N Shamseer. A key highlight was the presentation of the prestigious Legislative Assembly Award. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan conferred this honour upon renowned author N S Madhavan, recognising his unparalleled contributions to modern Malayalam literature.
The event attracted international attention with a keynote address delivered by Dr. Christopher K Kalila, the chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association from Zambia. Adding to the global literary presence, the chief guest for the ceremony was the 2025 International Booker Prize winner, Banu Mushtaq.
Festival Highlights and First-Day Engagements
Following the inaugural function, Speaker Shamseer and Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar formally opened the book stalls for the public. In a parallel event, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar launched the KSRTC city ride service at 12 pm.
The first day of KLIBF 2026 was packed with intellectual discourse. The 'KLIBF Talk' featured a lecture by activist and vocalist T M Krishna. A significant discussion on the topic ‘When Leaders Read Literature’ saw Minister for Law and Industries P Rajeeve engaging with the Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan.
Another panel discussion, titled ‘A Quarter Century in the Assembly’, was led by Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. Senior legislators, including Ministers Roshi Augustine and A K Saseendran, shared their extensive experiences from their long tenures.
Focus on Young Minds and Cultural Showcases
The festival has a dedicated focus on nurturing young readers. A special students' corner and a model assembly have been set up specifically for children. Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar inaugurated the students' corner on the opening day.
Beyond the UNICEF programme scheduled for children, a special meeting has been organised with Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A, who are celebrated for their remarkable maritime expedition.
The coming days promise to enrich the festival with vibrant cultural programmes. Attendees can look forward to traditional performances like Theyyam and Kalaripayattu, along with musical evenings. A series of book launches will further add to the literary fervour of KLIBF 2026, solidifying its position as a premier event on Kerala's cultural calendar.
