Tour guides gain insights into our colonial architectural heritage
Whilst enhancing the communication competency of German speaking tourist guides and lecturers, the Goethe-Institut recently conducted a two-day interactive workshop focused on imparting an understanding and appreciation of the country’s architectural heritage in colonial times. It also included some insights into Tropical Modern architecture from Minette de Silva to Geoffrey Bawa.
The workshop was headed by Director of the Samkathana Research Centre and Archive at the University of Kelaniya, Professor Asoka de Zoysa, Head of the Language Department at the Goethe-Institut, Rakitha Karunaratne and Corinne Lecomte.
In a series of exercises the German speaking tour guides were trained to improve and communicate their knowledge professionally and effectively through interactive and practical sessions. On the second day the group headed out of Colombo to gain some insights into the country’s colonial heritage through sites in Kalutara, Galle and Katulawa – visiting heritage houses in the western and southern coast and in Colombo.
It has been a difficult time for the tourism industry, which has been hard hit by the pandemic. “It is not only due to the pandemic outbreak, but national tourist guide lecturers have been going through adversity since the April 21st attacks and it has affected our lives in many ways,” senior tourist guide lecturer and the head of Travel Design, Ruwan Jayasekara said.
“The main target ( of this workshop) is to enhance their German language proficiency and to give them an idea of tourist attractions that are less known, yet play a vital role in the Sri Lankan heritage,” said Rakitha Karunaratne.
“There are more places than Dambulla and Sigiriya and there’s more than tea and rubber that foreign tourists should know about,” added Prof. Asoka de Zoysa. He cited Richmond Castle in Kalutara which has a very long history. “It is all documented and it is all over the internet but nobody reads. ‘How to present that long history?’ is the question that the tourist guide lecturers were trained for during the field trip.”
Innovative and interactive: The workshop at the Goethe Institut. Pix by Amila Gamage
Two female tourist guide lecturers Nisha Rodrigo and Kumudini Klaus were also present at the event.
“Colonial buildings are everywhere wherever we go, so it is our responsibility to learn about the architectural heritage in the country, to communicate and convey the correct message to tourists. This workshop has helped us to gain a lot of knowledge. Due to the pandemic, for the past six months we haven’t had any work. It feels good to come and do something related to our career,” said Nisha, an experienced tourist guide lecturer.