Giving children equal importance as readers of the future
Accompanying the Ceylon Lit Fest is the Children’s Fest. Curators Professor Neluka Silva and Artika Aurora Bakshi share their thoughts:
As curators of the children’s festival at Ceylon Lit Fest, what would you think is the purpose of having such an event? Artika: So, the main reason for this part of the festival, which both Neluka and I strongly believe in is that children should be given equal importance as readers of the future. It’s all-purpose filled as well, with the location, the activities ranging from music workshops to arts and crafts, and everything else lined up for them. Curating is a very big responsibility and we have given a lot of thought to giving them the best experiences.
Neluka: Apart from encouraging children to read we both believe that they should be acquainted with the whole idea of participating in this kind of event. The children’s festival
has been created in a way to enhance music, art, and creative writing, which are not often found outside of their school environments.
Arthika: Exactly, and these activities especially are not result-oriented. The children will be working in groups, and they can enhance their creativity knowing that they won’t be judged for what they produce.
Do enlighten us on what the essence of the workshops will be like?
Neluka: In a locational sense, the advantage for the children is that the workshops will be in a library, and with the digital age, entering a library is something that is almost alien to kids now. And I think beside doing the workshop, the space itself will be very inspirational, and of course, it's outdoors where they can enjoy the environment as well. I think all those factors make this a unique event for kids.
So, my workshops will be centred around creating stories around environmental issues, to start a conversation and adopt some awareness towards being mindful about what’s happening to our world. Just to kind of get their imaginations and perhaps a discussion running, which will start that kind of thought process for kids.
Arthika: Additionally, all the workshops are being conducted by people who are well versed in what they are offering.
Why would you say an event such as this is valuable for children?
Artika: The value of the event is the importance that is given to the children, the space for them to express themselves freely, do what they like and feel proud of their work. I think Literary Festivals, apart from literature are also about art, culture, and heritage, and through this festival we want them to feel proud of their heritage, and possibly write about it as well.
Neluka: In most areas, I feel like children are not given enough prominence in expressing their own opinions, and their voices are sort of pushed into the background as it were. We want to ensure that they are given visibility, that their talents are showcased, that they feel a sense of being a part of something. It is an investment in their creativity, and once they see the value of creativity and how it can create, innovate, and basically change the world, it becomes a very empowering position for kids. That’s what Artika and I are very keen about.