When the invading Portuguese built a small fort in southwest Sri Lanka in 1588, they could not have guessed that more than 400 years later, it would become the site of one of South Asia’s premier literary festivals. The fortress, captured, fortified further, and expanded by the Dutch in 1640, stands at the historic Galle port, once a key stop along the ancient maritime Silk Route, its location attracting traders from Arabia, Persia, India, China, and later Europe. These influences shaped the city’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Enclosed by massive moss-encrusted ramparts overlooking the Bay of Galle, the fort, sprawling over 2.5 km in circumference, is the largest remaining one built by Europeans in Asia. In 1988, UNESCO designated Galle Fort as a World Heritage Site. Its historic mansions, boutique shops, hotels, and cafes, besides administrative buildings along cobbled streets, give Sri Lanka’s inaugural – and so far most prominent – literary festival a unique charm. 

Attracting literary enthusiasts from across the world, the four-day festival has secured itself a place on the international literary calendar. It has become a platform for shaping Sri Lanka's cultural identity and promoting literacy, and a globally recognized celebration of literature, food, culture, and the arts.

The festival was started by Anglo-Australian hotelier Geoffrey Dobbs in 2007, aiming to promote Sri Lanka’s boutique tourism industry and bring Sri Lankan authors alongside internationally recognized authors.

This year marked the Festival’s 12th edition over 17 years. The event could not take place between 2013 and 2017 due to operational setbacks, or between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restarted in 2024, this year’s literary celebrities included Michael Attenborough CBE from the United Kingdom, Jenny Erpenbeck from Germany, and Susan Jung from Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand. There was also representation from neighboring nations like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Fostering reading culture

The festival gives local authors, both in English and native languages, a chance to showcase their work, experience the power of storytelling, and connect with peers and international writers. It features thought-provoking discussions, stunning visual art displays, and mouth-watering cuisine.

Stepping into the festival venue, one felt the connectivity among book lovers, authors, and attendees milling between different venues. The Galle Literary Festival inspires young minds and fosters a strong reading culture. Special activities for children, such as storytelling corners and interactive workshops, encourage a love for books from an early age.

An expanded literary market, revamped food and beverage offerings, and entertainment marked this year’s event, with a festive atmosphere beyond the usual author and panel discussions.

Over 60% of the festival’s volunteers are from Galle and nearby villages, ensuring the festival remains closely connected to the community. Vidura Prabath, a recent graduate who was volunteering as an author’s assistant, described his experience as amazing.

"I got the chance to share many interesting facts and opinions. I volunteered for this festival because I enjoy connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds, experiencing unique food, and meeting diverse individuals," he told Sapan News.

Prabath said that the festival saw an increase in volunteers plus improvements in facilities like transport, food, and accommodation. This year, as in 2024, festival organizers blended several themes drawing inspiration from global events, while prioritizing local attractions. Discussions ranged from colonial legacies to contemporary literature, blending historical opinions with modern storytelling techniques. Most themes focused on cross-cultural connection, a concept that has deep roots in Galle's history.

Ethnic tensions and identity 

In one interesting session, Sri Lankan-Canadian novelist Shyam Selvadurai discussed his latest book, Mansions of the Moon, with Sri Lankan writer and publisher Ameena Hussein. Known for exploring identity, belonging, and Sri Lanka’s ethnic tensions in works like Funny Boy (1994). Selvadurai’s new novel reimagines the life of Yasodhara, the Buddha’s wife, from a feminist perspective. The discussion covered historical fiction, Buddhism, and gender roles in storytelling.

Works by Ali Kazim from Pakistan and Tayeba Begum Lipi from Bangladesh, besides Sri Lankan talent contributors featured in The Arts Trail, six exhibitions highlighting upcoming and renowned South Asian artists. The series, organized by Sri Lankan-based ARTRA magazine, explored themes from war to nature’s beauty.

A photographers’ group called The Streets of Colombo, founded by Sri Lankan visual entrepreneur Johann Latiff, showcased a collection of 22 images by local photographers on the theme “Galle Fort in the Contemporary” at The Merchant Gallery. The event included interactive photo walks, encouraging attendees to see Galle through a fresh lens.

Guided by experienced photographers, participants explored busy markets and coastal paths, capturing day-to-day life with professional cameras and smartphones. Group leaders selected ten members to showcase their photographs of scenes in and around Galle Fort, and put them up for sale. Participants had the opportunity to be guided and have their work reviewed by professional photographers.

Culinary panel and lit market

Culinary panels featured discussions on diaspora cooking, challenging conventional food perceptions. Traditionalists believe that recipes should remain unchanged, but diaspora cooking reveals how food preparation evolves, adapting to new ingredients and cultural influences. Sri Lankan restaurant Paradise, established in London five years ago, showcased this approach.

“In a traditional Sri Lankan curry, you’d cook the fish directly in the sauce. We take it a step further, make a seafood stock from scratch, infuse it with spices, then blend and strain it to create a smooth, intensely flavored base,” he explained during the culinary panel discussions. Chef Dom Fernando, the restaurant’s founder, who was a guest speaker in the culinary discussions and culinary art events.

“We even vacuum-seal our curries to let the flavors develop over a few days before serving. It’s not about changing the dish; it’s about amplifying what’s already there.”

The event prioritizes local suppliers, vendors, transport providers, hotels, and tourism operators. With more than 5,000 tickets sold to visitors in 2025, the Galle Literary Festival provides a significant economic boost to the country, estimated at a combined economic contribution exceeding nearly a quarter of a million US dollars this year.

"This is our second time at the festival, and we’ve had an incredible response. The encouragement and support from visitors have been truly inspiring," La La Studio founder Shakya, who uses only his first name, said.

The studio, which had a stall at the Lit Market this year, is dedicated to sustainability, aiming to combat climate change with upcycled wearables, transforming unused fast fashion waste into value-added products such as crossbody bags, totes, pouches, shirts, and even bucket hats.

Participants of literature festivals generally leave with something special – a new book, a fresh perspective, or the magic of shared conversations. At Galle, they also leave with a sense of history.

(The author is a freelance writer in Sri Lanka. Views expressed are personal. By special arrangement with Sapan)