Kerala’s Yaanam Travel Literary Festival to Become an Annual Celebration
(Photograph : Pexels)
Travel, Kerala, and the Kerala Heart.
One of my earliest assignments in the field of travel writing was to stand on the Varkala cliff a few years ago. The sound of temple bells and locals conversing over tea were blown about by the wind. That was a day that taught me that travel is not necessarily about going to new locations, but it is about connection, stories and meaning.
The same spirit is the heart of Yaanam 2025: Travel, Tales, and Trails, the next travel literary festival, which will now become an annual event in Kerala.
A fresh beginning to the Culture Tourism in Kerala.
Kerala has always been called the Gods own country - a country of backwaters, beaches and a country of traditions. Yaanam 2025 is a new initiative by the state to bring something new to the scene literary tourism, where tourism and creativity coincide with storytelling.
The charm of this event is that it is now going to be an annual celebration, an event of travel, art and storytelling which will indicate the changing cultural identity of Kerala.
That is a turning point in the way Kerala will be put across - not as a destination, but as a narrative that will be told through the voices of travelers, writers and artists.
A Vision Supported by Powerful Planning.
In order to make the festival successful in the long run, the government of Kerala has put aside [?]25 crore to enhance infrastructure in and around Varkala.
Such amenities are improved accessibility, sustainable visitor amenities and community empowerment. It is a clever blend between cultural progress and sustainable tourism.
Cultural tourism is becoming popular in the world and thus the emphasis on literary travel that Kerala has made, makes it a leader in this new field. With the interconnection between telling stories and tourism, Kerala is making culture itself an economic and creative asset.
Narrative storytelling as a New Identity of Kerala.
Such festivals as Jaipur Literature Festival and Ubud Writers & Readers Festival have confirmed that stories can influence the way the world perceives a place. Yaanam pursues the same route-- but in a Keralian accent.
Yaanam offers a tribute to local and international views because it unites writers, artists, and travelers. It asks the individuals to take their time, open their eyes, and be honest with one another and that message matches well with the relaxed, spiritual side of Kerala.
Why Yaanam Matters
Yaanam is not just an occasion that is a part of the culture of Kerala but which can also transform the artistic and tourism scene in the state.
Preserving Local Stories
The festival provides the Kerala writers and artists and storytellers with a platform - this assists in maintaining voices that would without the festival likely have been overlooked.
Diversifying Tourism
It exposes Kerala to a different type of tourist- one who does not only visit for beaches or sightseeing but also culture, creativity and community.
Reimagining Brand Kerala
Via Yaanam, the state will be in a position to establish itself as a global destination of meaningful, sustainable, and creative travel experiences.
The Best way Visitors can make out of Yaanam 2025.
As a traveler, writer or content producer, Yaanam is an unusual blend of cultural exchange and inspiration.
Plan Ahead: Reserve a place in Varkala Cliff so that it is easy to access and view the beauty.
Test Drive: Attend workshops, panels, and discussions - do not sit back and observe, participate.
Support Local: Eat local, purchase at the crafts locals and the crafts community of Kerala.
Eat More: Pay a visit to the close by places of interest such as Kappil lake, Anchuthengu fort and varkala beach to experience the entire gamut of Kerala natural and cultural heritage.
Kerala's New Story Begins
When Yaanam remains faithful to its mission statement, which is authenticity, creativity, and inclusion, it might transform into one of the most inspiring travel and literary festivals in South Asia.
Yaanam is more of a tourism event, but it is also a message by Kerala to the world:
There is more to travel than the destinations that you reach, it is the things that you hear and tell in the process.
Disclaimer
The article is an educational and general awareness article.