A story from Kerala is now being recognised on the global literary stage.

DC Books has been shortlisted for the prestigious Aficionado Award 2026, which honours original and inspiring publishing initiatives and collaborations. Govind Deecee of DC Books was invited to Turin, Italy, for the official shortlist announcement.

The Aficionado Award is a global initiative created to connect, support, and celebrate innovative voices in publishing. It is organised in collaboration with Frankfurter Buchmesse and Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino.

The shortlisted publishing houses are:

• Without Borders (Global)
• DC Books (India)
• Pogranicze Publishing (Poland)

The finalists were presented on May 13, 2026, at the Salone Internazionale del Libro Torino.

For decades, DC Books has gone beyond publishing books by creating spaces for literature, dialogue, translation, and cultural exchange.

The Kerala Literature Festival stands as one of these landmark initiatives, bringing together writers, thinkers, artists, and readers from across the world. This recognition reflects the growing global presence of literary and cultural initiatives emerging from Kerala and India.

A proud moment for Kerala, for Indian publishing, and for literary communities that continue to grow beyond borders.