Another exciting CLF chapter closes
Suli Breaks performing his poetry
It was a weekend brimming with creative ferment when the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival unfolded at the Colombo Public Library from January17-19- the carefully curated sessions all heady and stimulating.
Globetrotters’ tales: Mihiri Wikramanayake
Neil MacGregor’s gentle wisdom as a historian found a counterpoint in the flamboyant Jerry Pinto’s energised striding and dancing on and off stage quoting medieval poetry, Molly Roden Winter paid a valediction to open marriages while Ramya Jirasinghe recited her love poems from a frangipani garden, novelist Andrew Sean Greer spoke about being ‘the first homosexual to grow old’ (a striking phrase, coming from our AIDS-riddled age) and Booker-winner Kiran Desai made light-hearted jokes about inspiration and the muse…
The happy milling audiences included students (for whom admission was free), and a smattering of foreign visitors charmed by the quaint setting in the heart of the green Viharamahadevi Park. Among other high points were biochemist Pranay Lal’s exciting foray into the ‘Invisible Empire’ of viruses (including the inner workings of COVID-19), African-American Suli Breaks performing his poetry, the droll wit of Bollywood star Naseeruddin Shah speaking about his starry career, and the lively children’s festival on the lawn…
Public library premises: Perfect setting in the city
From frangipani gardens to battlegrounds: Vihanga Perera and Ramya Jirasinghe
Neil MacGregor (right) : Sharing his wisdom as a historian. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
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