FESTA 2026 brings together an extraordinary collective of storytellers, artists, and thinkers whose voices span tradition, performance, literature, and lived experience. From celebrated oral storytellers like Kapil Pandey, Jeeva Raghunath, and Vikram Sridhar to engaging narrators such as Vani Prasanth and Sangeetha Suryanarayanan, the festival creates a dynamic space where stories are not just told but experienced.

The programme also features powerful literary and intellectual voices including Shoukath, J Devika, Paul Zacharia, and K Maniyan Pillai, whose work reflects deep cultural, social, and political insights. Complementing them are artists like Indulekha Warrier and Bijibal, who weave music into storytelling, enriching the narrative experience.

Adding further depth are speakers rooted in activism and social engagement such as Sheethal Shyam, Adv Harish Vasudevan, Nalini Jameela, and M Geethanandan, whose narratives emerge from real-world struggles and transformative journeys. Educators and facilitators like Leena Olappamanna, Joan Varghese, and Dr C J John expand storytelling into pedagogy, psychology, and community dialogue.

Together, these diverse voices shape FESTA 2026 into a vibrant cultural gathering where storytelling intersects with music, memory, identity, and social reflection, making it a truly immersive celebration of narrative arts.