Galle Lit Fest successfully concludes its 11th edition

Welcoming more than 5000 visitors, the Galle Literary Festival, in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism

Promotion Bureau (SLTPB),  wrapped up the Festival’s 11th edition, on Sunday, January 28. Welcoming more than 5000 literary enthusiasts to venues in and around Galle Fort, the Festival held from January 25 witnessed a notable increase in the number of international attendees compared to previous years.

Returning after a five-year hiatus, the Festival’s line-up in 2024 reflected a renewed commitment

to diversity and inclusion. The star-studded speaker list featured 25 local authors – including

Booker Prize winner, Shehan Karunatilaka – as well as a dozen diaspora writers. Among the 27

international participants were several South Asian novelists, representing a spectrum of global

contemporary talent. The 99-strong cast also comprised nine chefs and 24 moderators.

A vibrant schedule of more than 180 events included talks and panel discussions on topics as

varied as the Sri Lankan literary landscape, the female body in the arts, global history on land

and water, and how to engage the next generation with the natural world. The Festival also

had interactive workshops, film screenings, an immersive Art Trail and a Children’s

Programme, complemented by a number of free sessions and entertainment areas.

The Festival concluded with a cricket match between a Lit Fest XI – comprised of authors and

organisers – and an invitational Galle XI, held at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Tom Parker Bowles, visiting speaker, described the Festival as, “Magical, in every way – and so

beautifully organised.” Echoing his thoughts, broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake stated, “[The]

curation was breathtaking – the Literary Festival was so inspiring.” Historian Peter Frankopan

called the Festival a “joy from start to finish.”

A total of 5,392 tickets were issued in 2024, with almost half of all scheduled events sold out.

From suppliers, vendors and transport providers, to local hotels, tourism operators and the

businesses of Galle Fort, the organisers are confident that the Galle Literary Festival has

provided a significant boost for the economy of both Galle and Sri Lanka. Widespread coverage of the Festival across social media and the international press also highlighted Sri Lanka as an unrivalled destination for cultural tourism. The Festival’s digital promotional strategy achieved an online reach in excess of 2 million people.

Reflecting on this success, Giselle Harding, Festival Director, said “We are absolutely thrilled

with the attendance and reception for this year’s Festival. We firmly believe in the power of the

Galle Literary Festival to cement Galle and Sri Lanka as a hub for creative travellers and literary

enthusiasts, as well as to inspire and stimulate the growth of a reading culture in Sri Lanka."

The organisers’ attention now turns to 2025.

Dates will be confirmed soon!