International Galle Literary Festival 2009
The Galle Literary Festival was dubbed “No 1 Literary Festival in the world” by Harpers Bazaar after its debut in 2007, and Alexander McCall Smith said of the 2008 Festival: “I think it was one of the best literary festivals I have ever been to. There was something very special about the atmosphere which made
it stand out from the run of these things - a friendly feeling and an enjoyable programme both worked with one another beautifully.”
This year too, the Festival will focus on the opportunity to interact with inspiring writers at close hand and enjoy four days of conversation and debate in and around the world heritage city of Galle. In the context of the present global financial crisis, the organisers of the Galle Literary Festival have had to
take a decision to run a more concentrated festival this year, to ensure an experience that will be stimulating and enjoyable for all who come to it. In this spirit the organisers have also pledged to maintain last year’s ticket prices, despite rising costs.
The international writers for 2009 include established icons like Germaine Greer and Edna O’Brien, alongside talented debut novelists like Tahmima Anam and V.V. Ganeshananthan.
Also joining will be celebrated travel writers Colin Thubron and Pico Iyer and leading journalists M.J. Akbar and Tarun Tejpal, to name a few. The Festival is delighted to welcome back Romesh Gunesekera and announce a visit from
Thomas Keneally, author of the Booker Prize winning Schindler’s Ark.
The 3rd Galle Literary Festival will open on the grounds of the Martin Wickramasinghe Museum,
paying tribute to one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated writers, whilst hearing from new voices in Sri Lankan English writing. These newer Sri Lankan poets and novelists will be joined at the Festival by distinguished writers Yasmine Gooneratne and Anne Ranasinghe, and winner of the 2008 Gratiaen Prize, Vivimarie VanderPoorten.
The 2009 Festival will include several special features, including daily workshops for aspiring writers and a sneak preview for readers of what our authors are working on next.
Beyond the Festival’s literary programme will be a series of events that ask questions about the changes we see around us. Architect Channa Daswatte will lead a walking tour through the changes that have taken place in Galle Fort over time, whilst a panel of experts will debate whether we have a spirit of conservation in Sri Lanka.
A dedicated children’s programme will run alongside the main Festival programme, featuring the international storyteller Margaret Read Macdonald and the multiple award winning former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo. Activities in the children’s programme encompass music, art and the telling
of tales. Highlights include the creation of a rainforest mural, a treasure hunt through the historical sites of the Fort and a session with Michael Morpurgo for both parents and children.
Beyond the event too, the Festival is proud to continue its association with initiatives run by Adopt SriLanka to develop English teaching in rural areas in the Southern Province.
Dileep Mudadeniya, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Festival Host, says, “The Galle Literary Festival is an event where we are able to communicate a novel and interesting aspect of Sri Lanka, which a lot of people are unaware of.”
Festival Founder Geoffrey Dobbs says: “It is a very happy festival: small enough for everyone to feel involved and engaged.” He says “our objectives remain the same - to celebrate the English language, to encourage writers in Sri Lanka to write, to encourage debate, to promote Galle and the Southern
Province”.
A full programme for the Festival will be published on the website www.galleliteraryfestival.com on Friday 19th December. Box offices and online sales will begin Monday 5th January.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
