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The Third Galle Literary Festival opens doors to:
A feast of literature
Sachitra Mahendra and Ruwini Jayawardana
September may be considered the month of books but January, 2009,
will certainly be the month for literature as a host of local and
internationally recognised writers will make their way to Galle to take
part in one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year - The Galle
Literary Festival (GLF).
With curtains coming down for 2008, GLF founder Geoffrey Dobbs brings
in good tidings: the GLF is to read out its third term at the Martin
Wickramasinghe Museum on January 28 and will go on for four days graced
with the inspiration of local as well as international writers at close
hand. Yasmine Gooneratne, Anne Ranasinghe and the 2008 Gratiaen winner
Vivimarie VanderPoorten will sign up for the celebrity participants.
Set in the southern coast in the backdrop of the legendary Fort of
Galle, this diplomatic setting seems the perfect spot for the
interaction and debate.
The 2009 festival welcomes celebrated writers such as Germaine Greer
and Edna o’Brien, debutants Tahmima Anam and V.V. Ganeshananthan,
renowned travel writers Colin Thubron and Pico Iyer, leading journalists
M.J. Akbar and Thrun Tejpal along with Romesh Gunasekera and Booker
Prize winner Thomas Keneally who clinched the title for ‘Schindler’s
Ark’.
The festival will also feature daily workshops for aspiring writers
and a sneak preview for readers on what their favourite authors are
working on. Beyond the festival’s literary programme will be a series of
events that questions about the changes around us. Architect Channa
Daswatte will lead a walking tour through the changes that have taken
place in Galle Fort, while a panel of experts will debate whether we
have a spirit of conservation in Sri Lanka.
Does globalisation mean that it has taken the adventure out of
travel? Eton educated Colin Thubron who sees modern travel writing as
‘created with a certain amount of gimmickry’ will attempt to compare the
modern travellers to first explorers with his British-born Indian
colleague Pico Iyer.
Edna o’Brien always talked about the inner feelings and the problems
of women in her novels, while Moses Isegawa emphasised on the African
history. O’Brien will tell us about her life-long love of books and
Isegawa will predict what’s in store for African writing. M.J. Akbar and
Ameena Hussein will share some family secrets about their experience of
writing about Muslim households while Romesh Gunesekera reads his island
stories.
Internationally acclaimed children’s storyteller Margaret Read
Macdonald and award winning former Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo,
will conduct a children’s programme parallel to the main event. The
programme will comprise music, art and relating stories along with
activities like creating a rainforest mural, a treasure hunt through the
pastures of the historical site and a parents-children session with
Morpurgo.
The festival is not only targeted at literati talk. You can explore
your creative side by writing a short story or a travel piece. You can
even get behind a camera and try your hand at filmmaking. A delightful
evening of music presented by the Chamber Music Society of Colombo will
also take place at the Dutch Reformed Churchin the Galle zone.
In addition to this line up, traditional features of the Galle
Literary Festival such as opportunities of meeting your favourite author
at literary lunches, dinners and more intimately in ‘private affairs’
within the villas of the fort are also on offer.
“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,” commented
Alexander McCall Smith on the 2008 festival, sharing the view of Harpers
Bazaar in 2007 which dubbed GLF as the ‘Number one Literary Festival in
the world’ in 2007.
The Festival continues its association with initiatives run by Adopt
Sri Lanka to develop English teaching in rural areas in the Southern
Province.
According to festival host and Director of Sri Lanka Tourism
Promotions Bureau, Dileep Mudadeniya, GLF clears way for a novel and
interesting insight to aspect of Sri Lanka, bringing to light many
hidden features.
“It sets stage for a pleasant get together, small enough for everyone
to be involved and engaged. The main goal of the festival is celebrating
the English language. We have many issues at hand. The global financial
crisis is a major problem but we have planned to maintain the 2008 rates
for the tickets, running a more concentrated festival.” Dobbs added.
Now that is heartening news indeed and a something to look forward
for the coming year! |
