The 11th edition of the Galle Literary Festival, held in Galle, Sri Lanka, from January 25 to 28, 2024, attracted nearly 100 writers and artists along with over 5,000 literary enthusiasts. Organized in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the festival saw a notable increase in international attendees compared to previous years. Returning after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic and economic crisis, the festival featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including local authors like Booker Prize winner Shehan Karunatilaka and diaspora writers, as well as international participants, including South Asian novelists.
The event included over 180 events, covering topics ranging from the Sri Lankan literary landscape to engaging the next generation with the natural world. With 5,392 tickets issued and almost half of all scheduled events sold out, the festival received widespread coverage on social media and in the international press, achieving an online reach of over two million people. Giselle Harding, festival director, expressed satisfaction with the attendance and reception, emphasizing the festival’s role in promoting Galle and Sri Lanka as a destination for creative travelers and literary enthusiasts while stimulating a reading culture in the country. Dates for the 2025 edition will be confirmed soon. Sri Lanka actively promotes events like the Galle Literary Festival to boost tourism and cultural exchange.
Source: TTGASIA
