Book Fairs and Literary Events in Kochi: Recent Editions

Ashraf Gents Hostel

Key facts

The Kochi International Book Festival has been held by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi since 1997; its first edition marked 50 years of Indian independence, according to Indian Printer and Publisher.
The 2009 (13th) edition ran from 27 November to 6 December 2009 at the Ernakulathappan Ground with more than 250 exhibitors expected, according to Organiser.
After a two-year break for Covid-19, the 24th edition was held from 24 February to 6 March 2022 at the Ernakulathappan Grounds.
On 6 November 2025, Onmanorama listed Adoor Gopalakrishnan inaugurating the Kochi Literature Festival at the Ernakulathappan Ground.
The Kerala Literature Festival, organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation at Kozhikode, held its 9th edition from 22 to 25 January 2026, according to Wikipedia.

Boats lit up at night at Marine Drive, Kochi. Photo: Ganesh Mohan T / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

A fair that began in 1997

The Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) began in 1997, timed to the 50th anniversary of independence, and has been run since then by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi, a voluntary organisation. Its usual home is the Ernakulathappan Ground beside the Ernakulam Shiva temple, in the middle of the city. For most of its history it was a winter event, typically about ten days around late November and early December, combining publishers’ stalls with talks, book launches and cultural programmes.

Its scale has been reported in different ways over the years: Organiser wrote in 2009 that the previous edition drew about 100,000 visitors and that more than 250 exhibitors were expected, while Indian Printer and Publisher said the 2019 fair drew more than 10,000 visitors a day. These are the organisers’ and reporters’ figures; we have no independent count.

Timeline of editions we could date

Date	What happened	Source
1997	First Kochi International Book Festival, marking 50 years of independence	Indian Printer and Publisher
27 Nov – 6 Dec 2009	13th edition at Ernakulathappan Ground; 250+ exhibitors expected	Organiser
2016	First Kerala Literature Festival at Kozhikode	Wikipedia
From 1 Dec 2017	21st edition; Kochi Literature Festival 6–10 Dec	Indian Printer and Publisher
2019	23rd edition; over 10,000 visitors a day reported	Indian Printer and Publisher
2020–2021	No physical edition during Covid-19	Indian Printer and Publisher
24 Feb – 6 Mar 2022	24th edition at Ernakulathappan Grounds	Indian Printer and Publisher
2 Nov 2025	Book festival programme at Ernakulathappan Ground listed, with a Kendra Sahitya Akademi event	Onmanorama
6 Nov 2025	Kochi Literature Festival inaugurated by Adoor Gopalakrishnan	Onmanorama

We could not find published dates for the 2023 and 2024 Kochi editions, or the edition number of the 2025 fair, so they are left out rather than guessed.

The Kochi Literature Festival

By 2017, and in later years, a literature festival ran in parallel with the book fair, with authors’ sessions and discussions on the same ground; Indian Printer and Publisher describes it as held alongside the fair. In 2017 it was scheduled for 6–10 December, within the 21st book festival. In 2025, Onmanorama’s daily listing for 6 November named Adoor Gopalakrishnan as inaugurating the Kochi Literature Festival at 4 pm, with sessions that day including a student programme in the morning, a discussion on food security and a cinema conversation with director Lal Jose.

The bigger festival up the coast

Kerala’s largest literary event is the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) at Kozhikode beach, organised by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation since 2016. Wikipedia lists its editions as 2–5 February 2017, 8–11 February 2018, 10–13 January 2019 and 16–19 January 2020, an online edition in 2021, then 12–15 January 2023, 11–15 January 2024, 23–26 January 2025 and 22–25 January 2026. For readers in Kalamassery, KLF is a weekend train trip rather than an evening outing.

Kochi’s other big cultural calendar item is the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Fort Kochi; see past Biennale editions. For quieter reading closer to home, our libraries and study spaces guide lists options near Kalamassery.

Why this history matters near the NAD signal

Students and young professionals in Kalamassery have had a big book fair a short metro ride away for nearly three decades; Ernakulathappan Ground is a short walk from the metro’s city-centre stations. A book fair is also a cheap evening out on a hostel budget; check each year’s entry rules before you go. Ashraf Gents Hostel at the NAD Road signal is a men’s hostel and PG for students and working men; see rooms and rates, which are confirmed on the call. More culture history is on the archive hub, alongside IFFK past editions.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Kochi International Book Festival start?

In 1997, marking 50 years of Indian independence, organised by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi.

Where is it held?

Usually at the Ernakulathappan Ground in Ernakulam city.

Was there a break during Covid?

Yes. The 24th edition in February–March 2022 was the first physical fair since 2019.

Is the Kerala Literature Festival in Kochi?

No. KLF is held at Kozhikode beach by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation; Kochi has its own literature festival alongside the book fair.

Sources

Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed 8 October 2026. How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.

Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Book Fairs and Literary Events in Kochi: Recent Editions.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/kochi-literature-and-book-fairs-history/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.