Kochi: The second edition of Hortus, Malayala Manorama’s flagship arts and literature festival, will unfold from November 27 to 30 at Subhash Park and Rajendra Maidan, with preparations in full swing. With more than 400 national and international participants and over 225 sessions across seven stages, this year’s edition promises to be one of the state’s most dynamic cultural showcases.

The festival will begin at 10 am on November 27, followed by a formal inauguration at 6 pm at Rajendra Maidan, where actor Mammootty will officially open the celebrations, as announced by Malayala Manorama Editor Philip Mathew.

The grand finale on November 30 will feature actor Mohanlal as the chief guest, who will also unveil the dates for the next edition of Hortus. Among other prominent guests is actor Kamal Haasan, who will headline one of the special conversations.

Malayala Manorama Editor Philip Mathew, Kochi Mayor M Anilkumar, Hortus Festival Director NS Madhavan, and Manorama Editorial Director Jose Panachippuram, among others, also participated in the press conference held in Kochi on Tuesday.

One of the literary highlights will be the presentation of the Hortus Prize, which carries a cash award of ₹3 lakh. This year’s recipient is RS Binuraj for his acclaimed novel ‘Chrysanthamodyanathile Aparan’. The festival’s focus language is Spanish, setting the tone for cross-cultural discussions and international literary exchange.

Evenings at Hortus will feature a range of performances and curated shows. The inauguration will be followed by Mammoottykkathal, a light-and-sound experience celebrating the actor’s legacy, along with a musical performance featuring songs associated with him. Other major programmes include a French contemporary dance performance, the iconic play Ubu Roi, a concert by the folk-rock band Indian Ocean, and a musical homage to singer KJ Yesudas.

Hortus also offers a wide range of interactive activities beyond its main sessions. A dedicated children’s pavilion will host day-long engagements, while more than ten workshops, including an acting workshop by Roshan Mathew, will give participants hands-on learning opportunities. A film festival featuring nine short films from the Berlinale, along with “Chef Studio” exploring future food trends, will add depth to the festival experience.

Visitors can also take part in nature journaling, the Map the Wild board game, and video game writing sessions. The Hortus Bazaar will showcase traditional construction techniques and cultural crafts, while a Human Library, introduced for the first time in an Indian literature festival, will offer intimate, real-life storytelling encounters.

Adding to the festival’s scope is the Hortus Bookstore, featuring thousands of bestsellers and new releases, inaugurated by renowned writer C Radhakrishnan. The festival will also host the finale of Padayatra (Word Journey), a unique state-wide initiative that gathered indigenous Malayalam words over several weeks. The final word will be received from celebrated scholar M Leelavathi on Wednesday evening.

With free entry through a simple registration process, Hortus remains committed to accessibility and community participation. As Kochi prepares to transform into a vibrant meeting point of ideas, stories, and artistic expression, the festival promises inspiration, dialogue, and discovery for every visitor.