Stage set for GLF 2011
Literary enthusiasts stand strong despite brewing
storm :
Ruwini Jayawardana
Orhan Pamuk and Kiran Desai may have backed out of the Galle Literary
Festival 2011 but many renowned word smiths and budding young writers
are on their way to attend the literary extravaganza which had been
dubbed one of the most looked forward to events in the country’s
literary calendar.
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GLF duds
Galle Literary Festival
spokesmen say that prize-winning novelists Orhan Pamuk and
Kiran Desai are unable to attend because of Indian re-entry
visa regulations. Some rights groups have urged authors to
boycott the event claiming that Sri Lanka restricts freedom
of speech. Noam Chomsky, Arundhati Roy and Ken Loach are
among those backing a boycott. There is no indication that
the campaign had anything to do with the withdrawal by Nobel
laureate Pamuk or his Indian partner and Booker prize winner
Desai. The couple are currently taking part at Jaipur
literature festival in India. |
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Audience at
a literary session |
GLF will open its fifth chapter this year with the spotlight being
focused on Malaysia. The country’s multi ethnic society and lifestyle
will be brought to Sri Lanka by the writers, poets and chefs as round
table readings, breakfast book clubs and tea with poets have been newly
added to the schedule.
Another new feature will be the BBC World Forum. This brings forth
innovative thinkers with new ideas. It is hosted by the diplomatic
correspondent Bridget Kendall which will be broadcast on the channel to
over 40 million listeners.
One of the key events this year is the Sex in the Sarong Dinner with
Candace Bushnell and Jay Mclnerney in Taprobane Island. Participants can
dance the night away at Aqua, the newest botique hotel on the Thalpe
Riviera or listen to the De Lanerolle brother’s jazz tunes at The Sun
House, Dick’s Bar. Chef Skye Gyngell who will be won recently won the
ultimate gourmet accolade for her no nonsense and simple lunches at her
Richmond London based restaurant will be giving a cooking demonstration
on January 28 and hosting a dinner on January 29.
Some of the other writers who will be featured at the festival
include Jill Dawson, William Fiennes, Damon Galgut, Philip Hoare, Sarah
Dunant, Guy Delisle, Preeta Samarasan, Tishani Doshi, Daljit Nagra,
Yvani Deraniyagala, Farish NoorJung Chang, Omar Musa, Lliya Troyanov and
others.
The outreach program for children is an event which had captured
masses. Creative writing workshops, debating tournaments, art
exhibitions and training development programs for teachers have seen
thousands of participants. The team even conducted a creative writing
competition for around 230 students who took part in the events and the
winner will be given the opportunity to read his or her story at the
festival.
The North-South University Collaboration which is sponsored by the
American Centre will see university students from the North, East and
South taking part in the festival. The students are elected to reflect
the linguistic, ethnic and social diversity of the country and gain
better understanding through interaction.
GLF 2011 will run for three days from January 26 to 30. |
