The Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) is organized by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithy, Kochi, (APS) a registered charitable society, established to promote reading, encourage writing, and to heighten an awareness of literacy and literary arts in the State of Kerala. Established in the year, 1997, APS has so far organized 12 International Book Festivals.

While most book exhibitions around the world are trade fairs, giving prominence to publishers, book sellers, distributors and the like, APS decided to focus on the book lover and the reader. When APS entered the scene in 1997, books were sold in Kerala like any other commodity and book sellers used to organize book markets (Pusthaka chantha) to sell their wares. APS changed the nomenclature for ever. The market place was transformed to festival grounds. The ten day festival became the meeting ground for thousands of book lovers, writers, scholars, students, teachers, academicians etc. Thanks to APS no Book Seller in Kerala dare to name his exhibition as Pusthaka chantha (Book Fair) any more, even if they were actually fairs. The term ‘Book Festival’ has become a marketing tool for them.

APS is also involved in conducting various activities for encouraging young writers, such as literary workshops, literary and art competitions, etc. APS provides assistance to libraries in Kerala in various forms. During the last 3 years, APS donated books to 150 libraries and 50 school libraries in the State.

Details :

Venue	:	Ernakulathappan Grounds, Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala
Inaugural Ceremony	:	4.00 p.m, 27th Nov, 2009
Festival Days	:	27th Nov to 6th Dec 2009
Visiting Hours	:	10.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Closing Ceremony	:	5.00 p.m , 6th Dec, 2009