Await GLF 2025- first authors announced

The Galle Literary Festival returns in February 2025.

From February 6–9, the Festival will welcome a high-profile cast of local and international speakers to Galle Fort. With a programme including international Booker Prize winners, bestselling authors, celebrated translators and stand-up comedians, the Festival’s 12th edition promises to be its most diverse to date.

Today’s initial line-up reflects the Festival’s commitment to celebrating global voices. 22 speakers from more than 10 countries feature, including the winners of the International Booker Prize in 2024: German author Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann. Also included in the announcement are British broadcaster Louise Minchin; bestselling authors Afua Hirsch and Sathnam Sanghera; mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik; and Kate Mosse, novelist and co-founder of the Women’s Prize.

A start-studded celebration of literature, culture and the arts, Galle Literary Festival in 2025 will host an enriching calendar of conversations, workshops and events.

Guests can also expect a vibrant entertainment programme, headlined by popular comedian Sashi Perera, as well as culinary talks, with food writer Ravinder Bhogal among visiting chefs.

Says Galle Literary Festival director, Giselle Harding, said: “Today’s speaker reveal sets the tone for what will be an incredible Festival in February. With these first 22 names, you get a real sense of the variety and diversity at the heart of Galle Lit Fest. From prize-winning international authors to some of the world’s foremost cultural thinkers, we’re hugely excited about how our line-up is taking shape. With more amazing names to come, Galle is the place to be in February.”

More speakers for Galle Literary Festival 2025 will be revealed later this year, followed by the full programme. Ticket information, including details of Early Bird Passes will be circulated soon. Event tickets will be available to book exclusively through the refreshed Festival website. Further information can be found at galleliteraryfestival.com