All set for the literary party

Like thousands around the world, if you too loved An Equal Music, the Galle Literary Festival may very well be your only chance to ask Vikram Seth, face to face, what it felt like to create that tender, potent love story. You could also meet Karen Roberts, who with one powerful scene recreated the full horror of that hot day in July 1983 or Shyam Selvadurai through whom you were introduced to Arjie.

Gore Vidal, outspoken and controversial, will also be there, the man who said "style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn". Carl Muller will no doubt have a provocative and well thought out opinion to air and Jean Arasanayagam will say hello with that twinkle in her eye.

It's easy to understand why the organizers describe the Galle Literary Festival as a celebration. Readers, for whom otherwise reading tends to be a largely solitary activity, are looking forward to meeting both those who create novels and others who have enjoyed reading them - all in a decidedly festive atmosphere. As for the authors themselves, we know we're looking forward to meeting them, but whom are they looking forward to meeting?

Karen Roberts says, "Vikram Seth", Punyakante Wijenaike says, "Shyam Selvadurai", Shyam Selvadurai says "Vikram Seth and Punyakante Wijenaike" and Ashok Ferrey says, "Shyam Selvadurai and Alexander McCall Smith".

Describing her reaction to A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth, Karen told The Sunday Times that she particularly loved the mother's character. "We've all got a relative who is exactly like her!" she said, adding that the book gave its reader an insight into a society that is "constantly trying to juggle tradition and progress".

Shyam loves A Suitable Boy too but admits to not having kept up with Punyakante's work. He will get a chance to remedy the situation though. He's looking forward to sitting through the panel titled 'Female Pioneers'. "It features some Sri Lankan authors that I really love," he says. And Ashok? He's "looking forward to Shyam's and Alexander's (sessions) for all the right reasons, and Shoba De's for all the wrong ones!"

Several other authors are looking forward to their sessions with other authors, as is illustrated in the case of Carl Muller and Yasmine Gooneratne, both of whom say they are glad to be sharing the stage with the other for the session titled 'The Writing Life'. It's no surprise then why one begins to get the feeling that the pre-event anticipation is not solely confined to the intended audience. It only helps that the category of what belongs at a literature festival has been extended to accommodate individuals from several fields - not only journalists and playwrights, but architects, photographers and cooks, providing an eclectic and invigorating mix.

The festival organizers are aiming to have something for everyone, says Festival Manager Seetha Chinnapa-Sarwal, explaining that not only are there several sessions every day, but that workshops, feature events, seminars and book launches are also interspersed throughout the day. It is from this section of the itinerary that you can select a tour devoted to Geoffrey Bawa, and follow it up with a three-course meal with Jung Chang and Jon Halliday.

Several other exclusive events allow visitors to share food and conversation with authors and not surprisingly many such 'Private Affairs' have a lot of takers. Both Barbara Sansoni and Elmo Jayawardena will be launching their books.

The proceeds from Elmo's Rainbows in Braille will go towards projects undertaken by AFLAC. Like Elmo who will channel the funds to “help people without people", the festival organizers have initiated several community projects that they hope will continue to have an impact well past the last day of the festival, said Festival Director Libby Southwell.

The Galle Festival this year comes equipped with an active social conscience, not to mention an environmental one. Several initiatives are in place, including:

The Galle Literary Festival has contributed to the popularity of many local writers, says Libby, explaining that the festival hopes to raise the profiles of Sri Lankan authors writing in English. In addition, the festival has received a lot of international press, generating positive publicity for Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, say the organizers.

The Galle Literary Festival is on for four days, from January 16 - 20, with the sessions beginning each day at 9.30 a.m. and going on till 5.30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale at the Barefoot stores in Colombo and Galle. Each session will feature a well-known author and in some cases more than one, discussing their life and work.

A festival pass for all four days is priced at Rs.10,000 and will give access to all the main feature events, while a day pass costs Rs. 3,500. If interested in attending only a specific session, passes are available at Rs. 800 per session. Literary Lunches, Literary Dinners and Private Affairs must be paid for separately and cost Rs. 5,000 each. Workshops, including one of creative writing with Shyam Selvadurai, will be Rs. 1,500 each.

Students, those under 21 or those having a valid student ID card, get the four-day festival passes at Rs. 1,750; full day passes at Rs. 500 and individual event passes at Rs.150 each.

All information in connection with the festival is available at the website: www.galleliteraryfestival.com. Hotel rooms may need to be booked early and it will be advisable to seek hotels that offer discounts to festival visitors.

Sri Lanka Telecom is the Festival Partner for GLF while the major sponsors are: Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, SriLankan Airlines, Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Emirates, Print Care, Amangalla, the Fortress, the University of Melbourne, ETV, the British Council, the American Embassy, Dilmah, Hemtours, Penguin India, Taru Villas, Pyxle, the Sunhouse, the Dutch House, Aditya, Barefoot, Boutique Sri Lanka, Favourite group, Intrepid Travel, Rithihi, Water Mart, Six Senses Resort and Spa and Kahanda Kanda. The print media sponsor is Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.

There’s much to see and do at this year’s festival – not least of which is getting acquainted with the venue. A seminar on January 18, will feature author, architect and artist Ismeth Raheem giving a detailed overview of the historic Galle Fort while at a seminar in the evening of the same day, conservator and scholar Prof. Ronal Lewcock will speak on Dutch architecture. Both events are open to all and free of charge.

“Galle itself is hugely interesting for me as an architecture buff, especially since there is so little genuine research on its history. There is so much that we still don't know: about who built what, in what style, and who influenced whom,” explains author Ashok Ferrey.

It is apparent that the festival owes much of its appeal to the solid beauty and quiet intimacy of the UN Heritage Site that is the Galle Fort. Meanwhile, a wonderful Children’s Programme scheduled for January 19 and 20 includes sessions with some of the festival’s biggest names. It is also being offered free of charge.

Alexander McCall Smith and Barbara Sansoni will meet the children while there will also be creative writing, yoga, drama, poetry and chess workshops on January 19. On January 20, Vikram Seth and other poets will narrate beastly but exciting tales from around the world.

Children can follow that with a session with Karen Roberts titled ‘Reading is Fun’. Describing herself as “excited”, Karen says she “hopes we can explore what kids are reading, why, and how we can stimulate them into wanting to read more”. The children’s day ends with ‘Story Planet’ with Nury Vittachi.

Adults will find several other events coming free, including many of the evening’s poetry readings, movie screenings and performances which include selections from fringe theatre.