Creative Showcase to Enchant Kandy and Colombo from 8th to 12th February
In a momentous cultural extravaganza, the inaugural edition of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival (CLF) is set to unfold its literary and artistic splendor in the enchanting city of Kandy on February 8th, followed by a vibrant continuation in Colombo on February 10th. This groundbreaking event, spanning five days, is poised to take center stage in two of Sri Lanka’s most culturally vibrant cities, providing a captivating platform for the convergence of literature, art, music, and film.
The festival, designed to spotlight Sri Lanka’s rich cultural essence, places a primary emphasis on literature while embracing various forms of artistic expression. The festival management’s pivotal objective is to expand exposure and knowledge, particularly among the youth and children. Noteworthy initiatives include a Children’s Festival and a Creative Writing Workshop involving 13 schools, laying the foundation for future editions.
A distinguished lineup of 44 authors, predominantly international, has eagerly confirmed their participation. Curated with finesse, 23 themed sessions, under the expert guidance of celebrated author and literary figure Ashok Ferrey, promise to captivate and engage the audience.
At the heart of CLF is the mission to showcase Sri Lanka on the international stage, portraying it as a dynamic and vibrant society, enhancing its allure for both travelers and investors. Despite emerging from challenging circumstances, Sri Lanka is currently experiencing positive momentum.
Esteemed literary figures such as William Dalrymple, Sir David Hare, Louis de Bernieres, Shyam Selvadurai, Shehan Karunatilaka, and Louise Doughty are among the notable authors set to grace the festival’s stage. Their insightful conversations and dialogues will challenge and enlighten the audience.
The festival will feature 23 meticulously curated panels, addressing contemporary topics and current issues. Sessions range from exploring societal obsessions with appearance in ‘It’s the Body, Stupid!’ to dissecting feminism’s trajectory in ‘Will the last feminist turn out the lights when they leave?’. Notable sessions include ‘Help! AI chewed up my manuscript!’—delving into our increasingly AI-driven world—and the Guru of Sleep, Giles Watkin, imparting the art of achieving a restful night’s sleep. The closing day’s impactful panel, ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ is poised to initiate a compelling debate.
CLF will commence in Kandy from the 8th to the 9th of February at Trinity College Kandy and Hotel Suisse Kandy before moving to the vibrant capital, Colombo, from the 10th to the 12th of February at the Colombo Public Library.
Major partners supporting this creative platform include title partner HSBC, along with Mastercard, The British Council, Galle Face Hotel, Hotel Suisse Kandy, Dilmah Ceylon, Innovate Books, Goethe Institut, Wijeya Newspapers, Emerging Media, Curado, Hardtalk, and Sarasavi. These partnerships embody a shared vision of celebrating and nurturing culture and creativity in Sri Lanka, making the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival a leading cultural platform.
