NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to attend Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, say organisers

The organisers of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) have announced the participation of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, one of the world’s most accomplished explorers and a global icon of space science, at its 2026 edition to be held on the Kozhikode beach.

The festival will be held from January 22 to 25, bringing together influential voices from across literature, art, science, culture, and public life.

Announcing the details, Ravi DeeCee, managing director of DC Books and chief facilitator of KFL, said: “The Kerala Literature Festival has always believed in expanding the idea of the fest to include science, discovery, leadership, and the human spirit. Sunita Williams represents the courage to explore the unknown and the discipline required to stretch human boundaries.”

He said her participation would inspire audiences across generations.

Recollection of space journeys

At KLF 2026, she is expected to reflect on her journeys beyond Earth and speak about science, exploration, leadership, resilience, and the enduring power of human curiosity. A former astronaut with NASA and a former commander of the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams has spent over 300 days in space and holds the record for the most spacewalks by a woman.

The organisers point out that her career stands as a testament to resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of discovery, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and imagination. Ms. Williams also shares a deep personal connection with India and has long been embraced with affection and pride by audiences across the country. During her most recent mission, when her stay aboard the ISS was extended due to technical challenges, she received an extraordinary outpouring of support and goodwill from India and across the world, they recalled.

According to the organisers, KLF 2026 will host over 500 speakers from across the world and will feature Germany as the guest nation for this year’s edition. The festival’s line-up of speakers includes Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee, among other prominent writers, they said.