The Galle Fort GOLDEN Galle Pola

Juliet COOMBE

Come and barter and banter on Sunday December 16 at the historical Galle Forts’ Law Court Square amidst the exciting exchange of camaraderie, along with an amazing collective of some sixty to eighty flea market stalls selling everything from gems of the fort puzzle rings to Afghan rugs.

The massive and inspiring conglomerate of cultures and antiquities for sale is the inspiration of the Galle Heritage Foundation, along with the local and international creative community, who are coming together for a day to showcase to the world as to why this is a central point for the arts and trade, something the fort has been famous for over four hundred years.

Flea Market

Even in the war they made lace for the movie stars

Galle Fort Flea Market

Sunrise over fort

Generations of fort families are mainly arabic traders who still create jewellery using the cuttlefish casting method, a 200 year old jewellery tradition handed from one generation to the next

So throw on a sun hat, slap on some sun screen and be part of this epochal time honoured spectacle and exciting inaugural event, in the form of the Galle Fort Golden Flea Market, an act of creation akin to the fall of the Berlin Wall,

a breaking down of barriers and get back to our quite global trading roots and at the same time respecting localized, homogenous and secular societal antecedents and precedents. A true coming together and a melding of forces, like an eternal summer of warmth and goodwill and exchange – a bond that binds all seekers from all walks of life, a place where all the traders, tourists, travellers are invited to buy souvenirs, gifts for friends and family, something special for Christmas or just add a bit of sparkle to your home. So spread the word and be part of a Heritage Fair that is creating buzz all about town.

But why the noisome and annoying flea – a creature that puts many of us in discomfort and is above all an insect not prone to be given a second thought. While you hold on to that thought let us also add that this is no ordinary flea, it’s one with a golden heart and its journey is no easy feat either.

After scouring the bowels of this medieval citadel, scavenging the hidden trenches and ravaging the belly of the earth and the womb of the Fort, it springs open one of the many historic trapdoors of thinking that the last secret tunnel is behind him only to find that he is in the Law Court Square caught red handed with his booty or his loot so to speak, out in public display for everyone to see.

From Afghan rugs, Amazonian mosquito repellent, branded big name items from Armani, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, D&G, t-shirts from Bangladesh, second hand books from Galle and about the place, antiques from all over the island, aroma therapy oils, batik art, vintage posters, bric-a-brac, bunting, canvas art, cakes, candles, chutneys, Christmas cakes and cards and puddings and decorations, clothes both trendy and vintage, elderflower cordials, fairy lights, guaraná powder, handmade soaps, herbs, kids and baby clothes, jams, jewellery, recycled shopping bags along with a recycling awareness stall, lace ware, lamps, mince pies, home made chicken pate, pure organic fair trade food products, puppets (including a puppet show), rottis, a photography stall, teas, toys, waffles and wood work – with items scrounged of the two poles and bounty from Vladivostok and Timbuktu, yes you name it all... its got it all, a feast for the heart, mind and body – a total sensory experience.

Trading hub

The aim of this Galle Fort Golden Flea market is to show this as the United Nations - a trading hub...a return of old world trade in a renewed center of trade showcasing excellence in local artisans and selling their work and helping the Galle Fort Heritage Foundation with their restoration work as each person will pay 500 rupees for having a spot based on a first come basis before 8am (this might be just the time and place for that garage sale you’ve been meaning to have – to get rid of your wife’s tacky knick knacks or your husband’s beloved rusty no longer works motorbike).

Everything on sale and everyone present giving their time, expertise and skill will help boost tourism and trade revenue at macro and micro levels as this is a not for profit venture, initiated after much thought to give revenue to the Galle Heritage Foundation for continuing its world class restoration work and to increase awareness of the Fort’s rich history and its amazing range of local traders.

This is the Woodstock of our times and if you don’t know what that is – more the reason for you to take your entire brood or gang of mates along to this Oriental bazaar for a fun filled outing and who knows you may just walk home with something at best useful or if you are lucky discover the piece of junk you picked up for a song is a priceless antique– either way you will end up with a story or two to tell you grandchildren one day of connections made during this exciting renaissance of the area.

And no this is not an auctioning off of a harem kind of event. This is the Galle Fort Golden Flea Market where not all glitters and a mile walked is the Earth’s girth and its lengthy treasures comprehended – human and material.

An ethereal pageant of the cosmos.

How to join in: Strollers, shoppers and stallholders from all over the island are welcome and there is no deadline for entry as a vendor. You can just turn up on the day and receive a stall space from the Galle Heritage Foundation in exchange for a 500 LKR donation towards their crucial fund for restoration and preservation of the Fort.

Stall spaces, rental tables, chairs and a limited supply of umbrellas and sun huts will be available on a first come first serve basis...so the earlier you arrive the better.

For further information please contact the Galle Heritage Foundation on 091-2246784 or Meg Baber on 091-2242504, 0772-892-099 or 0774-834-262.