The sheer Galle of it
Congratulations to all involved with this year’s Galle Literary Festival. From January 25-28, the fortified city of Galle hosted hundreds of people from all over the world, for the first time in five years. Presenters not only showcased their own recent published books but discussed ideas and social issues, and attendees mentioned that they wished some of the presentations had been longer.
The weather was blazingly hot, the sun hitting the old stones, and all the social media photos shared show people at tables on verandahs and cafes sipping refreshing cool drinks. The holiday atmosphere was very welcome, and it was a great start to the year. The last few years have been challenging for Sri Lanka.
People attending the sessions tended to be relaxed and generous minded about the occasional technical issues involved in presentations and the personal discomforts of temporary crowdedness in stiflingly hot rooms.
Many elderly people attended, and far greater sensitivity to their need for courtesy and support is required, not only with provision of greater wheelchair access to interiors of buildings, but on the roads and pavements of the town. Several drivers of large vehicles were seen to behave carelessly towards pedestrians, which is reprehensible in the narrow streets of Galle, crowded during the Festival.
Since its inception in 2005, the Galle Literary Festival has provided an inclusive and accessible environment for lovers and practitioners of literature. Ideally, through the festival, the gifted creatives of the local community have the opportunity to enjoy the enthusiasm and appreciation of their fellow citizens in company with globally renowned authors on an equal footing, in conversation both formally on stages in panels and presentations, and informally and socially at cafes and restaurants throughout the city.
Mary Beard’s talk on the Roman Emperors was highly thought of; as was the contemporary historian Peter Frankopan’s session on ‘Earth transformed’, and his compelling discussion with Sujith Sivasunderam, which was brilliantly moderated by Radha Kumar. Sebastian Faulks, Anthony Horowitz and Alexander McCall Smith were welcomed with enthusiasm, having been invited several times over the years.
The high calibre of authors enriched the positive experience many attendees had, this year:
“I went for the GLF on the 27th and attended the day sessions. They were very interesting, and awoke the dormant literary fire in me that had been dulled by the rat race. It reinforced why the Humanities are so important in understanding the human condition. Well worth the visit.”
Comments highlighted that the conversations and presentations worked best and most engagingly when the moderators were skilful and adept in propelling the discussion forward, centring it on relevant and interesting issues, and keeping it on track. Kalpanee Gunewardena’s moderation of the insightful conversation between Christina Lamb and Mary Beard on Women and Rape In War was felt to be outstanding.
A local author expressed her delight at the serendipity and spontaneity of the scene:
‘I had insightful conversations with random individuals from all over the world in between sessions and while queuing to get books signed. The love of literature was a wonderful bridge.’
The entire Festival is immersive and interactive, in the best way. What I have personally loved the most about it over the years is the way that the public as attendees are not mere spectators of other people’s performances. We can take rooms in guest houses, as well as boutique hotels, and live in the town and walk to the events we have booked, and for a few days it is our local neighbourhood. After the events of the day are over, there are sunsets to be viewed, and many parties and gatherings that take place, adding to the vibrancy of the festive atmosphere.
Our conversations and discussions about the events we have experienced become part of the weave of the whole event. Because the Fort is architecturally circumscribed, it is walking distance to many events, and a strolling pace is ideal.
Writers and artists are generally open minded and fun loving, and open to experience and joie de vivre, and this bright and happy energy fills the city during this event. Behind the scenes, there must have been a great deal of organisation and administrative logistics involved, to produce such a multi-faceted experience.
Comments made by attendees highlighted some improvements that could be implemented, in future years: “There were some technical issues with event venues, which should be checked and tested and ironed out before the crowds of attendees come into the event spaces.
“Some local authors and publishers should have been assigned bigger spaces than they were, as they were popular and in demand. This is especially true of ticketed events, which were clearly going to be crowded, and where seating should be provided for all paying guests. The tickets are expensive.
“The best sessions were those moderated by individuals who were well prepared, had a friendly personality, a good sense of humour and good communication skills. In contrast, a few sessions were not as well moderated.
Some of the musical performances and visual arts exhibitions could be better advertised and promoted from Day 1 and throughout the Festival, so all the performance arts enthusiasts could be aware of them, and would not miss out.’
Overall, the event was felt to be a great success and enthusiasm is high for next year’s GLF. Attendees will not be shy in expressing their requests to the organisers, asking for ‘a greater variety among authors - this time it was UK, India (including diasporic Indian), Pakistani and Sri Lankan. How about inviting Americans, Africans, East Asian, Aussie, NZ?’
It was also suggested that a dedicated bus for Day Pass holders could run between Colombo and Galle daily during the days of the Festival, enabling students and young working people to be able to affordably attend, in groups.
Thanks and congratulations are very much due to the sponsors and facilitators of the Galle Literary Festival, which has revived and refreshed us all, at the start of 2024.