Kids at the Galle Literary Festival
Adults were not the only ones having fun at the Galle Literary Festival. Held last week in the historical Galle Fort, internationally known authors made speeches and signed books. A few kilometres outside the Fort, at the Thomas Gall School a different festival took place, only for kids.
Starting-off bright and early on Saturday
January 16, kids enjoyed various book-related activities. Many of the authors, who conducted sessions at the main festival, also spoke to those taking part in the kid’s version.
For instance, Ovidia Yu who writes mystery stories helped the participants create their own stories to deal with things they were afraid of. A.J. Low whose stories are of Sherlock Sam, taught them how to create superheroes. Anthony McGowan and Andy Stanton who made them laugh rather hard were also guests from abroad.
Although there was pizza for lunch and plenty of ice cream, story-time was one of the most entertaining sessions. Professional story-tellers from India, Geeta Ramanujam and Devinayaki told stories while acting out each character’s part.
On Sunday
January 17, one session was about an ancient Sri Lankan art – mask painting. Those involved in the session learned that each mask takes a significant amount of time to carve, by chipping a block of wood. Great ski
l and more patience is needed they were told, to create the masks that each of them painted.
Watching movies, making puppets and using their imagination made the children’s programme a fun way to know more about books. Pix by Indika Handuwala
