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Sunita Williams to Beam into Kerala Literature Festival 2026 as Guest of Honour

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has been announced as the Guest of Honour for the Kerala Literature Festival 2026. The festival, held in Kozhikode—India's first UNESCO City of Literature—will feature a staggering lineup of over 500 speakers, including Nobel laureates and global luminaries. Germany has been named the guest nation for this edition, which builds on the event's record of attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Set against Kozhikode Beach, KLF continues to be a major global platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

Key Points: Astronaut Sunita Williams at Kerala Lit Fest 2026

  • NASA astronaut as Guest of Honour
  • 500+ global speakers including Nobel laureates
  • Germany as guest nation
  • Held in UNESCO City of Literature
2 min read

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to attend Kerala Literature Festival 2026

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams joins Nobel laureates & global thinkers at KLF 2026 in Kozhikode, a premier literary gathering expecting 500+ speakers.

"Her name is etched in space. - KLF Announcement"

Kozhikode, January 1

The Kerala Literature Festival 2026 has announced renowned NASA astronaut Sunita Williams as a key participant and Guest of Honour for its upcoming edition.

DC Books, the organiser of KLF, made the announcement through its social media platforms, sharing a poster welcoming Sunita Williams to the festival.

The post reads, "Her name is etched in space. We are over the moon to announce that the legendary astronaut Sunita Williams will be joining us as our Guest of Honour. Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience with Sunita Williams at the Kerala Literature Festival. Don't miss this chance to listen to a woman who has proved that courage knows no boundaries."

KLF 2026 will feature over 500 speakers from across the globe, with Germany announced as the guest nation for this year's edition.

The speaker line-up includes Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee; Olympian Ben Johnson; business leader Indra Nooyi; artist and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier; writer Gabriela Ybarra; economist Arvind Subramanian; linguist and author Peggy Mohan; author and columnist Shobhaa De; writer and former diplomat Amish Tripathi; actor and singer Piyush Mishra; curator Helen Molesworth; writer and activist Banu Mushtaq; writer and journalist Deepa Bhasthi; essayist Pico Iyer; environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva.

Jnanpith award-winning writer Pratibha Ray; historian Romila Thapar; novelist Anita Nair; noted Telugu author Volga; conservation biologist Neha Sinha; actor and social commentator Prakash Raj; author-diplomat Pavan K. Varma; author, parliamentarian and public intellectual Dr Shashi Tharoor; Indian comedian Vir Das; and Tamil film director and activist Pa. Ranjith, among others.

Held annually in Kozhikode, India's first UNESCO City of Literature, the Kerala Literature Festival has emerged as one of the world's largest literary gatherings. The previous edition recorded over 6.5 lakh visitors and featured more than 600 speakers. Set against the backdrop of Kozhikode Beach, KLF continues to provide an open and inclusive platform for dialogue, creativity, and the exchange of ideas.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Amazing lineup! From astronauts to Nobel laureates to our own Shashi Tharoor sir. KLF is putting Kozhikode on the global map. Proud moment for Kerala and India.
R
Rohit P
While it's great to have big names, I hope the festival doesn't become just about celebrity spotting. The core should remain meaningful literary and intellectual discussions, especially with so many great Indian thinkers attending.
M
Meera T
Sunita Williams ji coming is wonderful! She proves that Indian-origin women can reach the highest heights, literally! My daughter will be so excited. Hoping they livestream her session for those who can't travel to Kozhikode.
D
David E
Visiting from the UK and this festival sounds incredible. The mix of science, literature, and art with a beach backdrop is unique. Germany as guest nation is interesting too. Definitely planning a trip!
S
Siddharth J
6.5 lakh visitors last time? Wah! That's more than many international festivals. KLF is a true "mela" of ideas. The inclusion of activists like Vandana Shiva and Pa. Ranjith alongside literary giants shows its depth.

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