Galle – a growing culture hub

Promoting Galle as a cultural hub, there are many activities planned for this historic city for the upcoming year.

The Galle Literary Festival will take place from January 10 to 14. Many world famous authors, both Sri Lankan and foreign will take part in this festival. Among the many participants will be Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Mark Tully, Kiran Desai, Romesh Gunesekera, Victoria Glendinning, Suketu Mehta and Carl Muller. The festival includes workshops, panel discussions, topical debates, literary lunches and dinners, poetry readings and children’s programmes, promising something for everyone.

The programmes will be spread over many local venues such as Lunuganga in Bentota, Amangalla, Dicks Bar, The Fort Printers, The Sun House, The Lighthouse Hotel and The Fort Gallery to name a few, giving visitors the chance experience as much of the historic city as possible while taking part in the Festival.

Elephant polo will be the attraction for the month of February with the 6th annual international Ceylon Polo tournament taking place from the 14th to the 18th. Teams will be participating from countries such as Australia, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Nepal, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, UK, India and Thailand. Ending with the Mahout Ball on February 17, the sporting event also helps to raise awareness and funds towards the plight of the Sri Lankan Elephant.