The sixth edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) took place from the 6th to the 9th of February 2025 at the Kanakakkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Polish author Urszula Honek had the privilege to open the festival on February 6th. 

Zygmunt Miłoszewski, crime fiction writer, novelist, and screenwriter took part in the session titled: “The Polish Noir”, in conversation with Krzysztof Korzyk, which was organized at 11 am on February 6. His enthusiasm for the event emphasized the vital role of literary exchange and cultural dialogue in today’s world. 

On February 7 at 4 pm, Ms. Urszula Honek participated in the session “Languages of War”. She engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Lyuba Yakimchuk and Yuriy Serebriansky, moderated by Krzysztof Hoffmann, director of the Literature Affirmation Centre at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Renowned for her contributions to literature, Honek’s insights and knowledge added depth to the conversation about the intersection of language and conflict. This event highlighted the critical role of language in understanding the difficult times of war. 

On  February 7 at 6pm, Ms. Urszula Honek, engaged in a captivating discussion during the session titled “Carpathian Reverie.” Joined by Dr. Krzysztof Hoffmann and Weronika Szwebs (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań). The panel was focused on both poetry and prose, especially “White Nights”, a series of thirteen interconnected stories of people who all grew up and lived in the same village in the Beskid Niski region, in southern Poland. The book that has been longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2024. During the panel Urszula Honek has been reading extracts from the stories in the collection translated by Kate Webster. 

Krzysztof Czyżewski, co-founder and president of the “Borderland of Arts, Cultures and Nations” in Sejny, alongside Małgorzata Sporek-Czyżewska, co-founder of “Borderland” also participated in the festival. Their presence was facilitated by invitation from Sabin Iqbal, who met them during his stay at Czesław Milosz’s manor in Sejny as part of the “Literary Trails” project, organized by the Polish Institute New Delhi.  At the festival, they engaged audiences with three panels: “The Bridge Builders” on February 7, followed by “The God of Freedom” and “The Man of Many Hats” on February 8. This collaboration showcased not only Polish literature but also fostered cultural exchange between Poland and India, highlighting the importance of literary dialogues in a global context. Poems by Mr. Krzysztof Czyżewski were also hanging at the festival venue.

Mr. Zygmunt Miłoszewski participated in a session titled “Why I Write,” alongside fellow writers Ana Merino, Manuel Vilas, and Amanda Michalopoulou. The conversation was moderated by Nirmala Govindarajan and took place on February 7 at 5pm.

Miłoszewski’s insights into his writing process captivated the audience, highlighting the inspiration behind his compelling narratives. 

Gabriela von Seltmann, a cultural interdisciplinary artist and animator from Poland, participated in the impactful session “Beating the Hate,” in conversation with Mr. Uwe von Seltmann, which was held on February 7th and 9th, her captivating explorations of memory, identity, and history left audience inspired. Her journey to India was inspired by Mr. Sabin Iqbal’s visit to Poland, where he encouraged her to share her insights and experiences with a global audience.