Future Writers Program

Embark on a creative journey with the “Infusion of Tales: Youth Literary Challenge” by the Future Literary & Creative Platform. This unique opportunity is not just a contest; it’s a celebration of imaginative storytelling, where your passion for writing meets the intriguing world of tea. By participating, you’ll tap into your creative reserves, crafting stories that not only captivate and entertain but also showcase your ability to intertwine everyday elements with extraordinary narratives.

Apply before the 8th of April 2024

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Submission Closed
Authors
Amanthi Harris
Amanthi
Harris
Ameena Hussein
Ameena
Hussein
Aminur Rahman
Aminur
Rahman
Anita Nair
Anita
Nair
Carmel Miranda
Carmel
Miranda
Chiranthi Rajapakse
Chiranthi
Rajapakse
Christopher Kloeble
Christopher
Kloeble
Ciara Mandulee Mendis
Ciara Mandulee
Mendis
Giles Watkins
Giles
Watkins
James Braxton
James
Braxton
Koluu
Koluu
Lal Medawattegedara
Lal
Medawattegedara
Louis de Bernieres
Louis de
Bernieres
Louise Doughty
Louise
Doughty
Marguerite Richards
Marguerite
Richards
Nicole Farhi
Nicole
Farhi
Preeti Shenoy
Preeti
Shenoy
Ramya Jeerasinghe
Ramya
Jirasinghe
Ronya Othmann
Ronya
Othmann
Saskya Jain
Saskya
Jain
Seneka Abeyratne
Seneka
Abeyratne
Shehan Karunatilaka
Shehan
Karunatilaka
Prajwal Parajuly
Prajwal
Parajuly
Shobhaa De
Shobhaa
De
Shrabani Basu
Shrabani
Basu
Shyam Selvadurai
Shyam
Selvadurai
Sir David Hare
Sir David
Hare
Sonora Jha
Sonora
Jha
Stuart Cosgrove
Stuart
Cosgrove
T P Tovenaar
T P
Tovenaar
V V Ganeshananthan
V V
Ganeshananthan
Vivimarie Vanderpoorten
Vivimarie
Vanderpoorten
William Dalrymple
William
Dalrymple
Yudhanjaya Wijeratne
Yudhanjaya
Wijeratne
Chhimi Tenduf-la
Chhimi
Tenduf-la
Dinesh Chandrasena
Dinesh
Chandrasena
Ganeshan Wignaraja
Ganeshan
Wignaraja
George Cooke
George
Cooke
Mrinali Thalgodapitiya
Mrinali
Thalgodapitiya
Neluka Silva
Neluka
Silva
Palitha Kohona
Palitha
Kohona
Savithri Rodrigo
Savithri
Rodrigo
Sukanya Wignaraja
Sukanya
Wignaraja
Shevanthie Goonesekera
Shevanthie
Goonesekera
Nimmi Harasgama
Nimmi
Harasgama
Artika Bakshi
Artika
Bakshi
Megan Dhakshini
Megan
Dhakshini
Schedule

Kandy

8th Feb - Trinity College Kandy
9th Feb - Suisse Hotel Kandy

10:00 - 10:45

Is your Booker Bigger than Mine?

The Booker, in whichever form, is one of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes. Shehan Karunatilaka (Booker Prize 2022) talks about his win, and the dizzy whirlwind of public engagements that followed (and is still not over). Where do you go once you reach the top? Moderated by Savithri Rodrigo
Book Festival Pass

11:00 – 11.45

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detectives

Three wicked ladies, all masters of murder mystery and mayhem, plot their next crime. Will it be The Bloated Body at the Bottom of the Beira? The Macerated Mummy in the Maligawa? Anita Nair, Shrabani Basu and Carmel Miranda, moderated by Chhimi Tenduf-la. Watch your backs, people.
Book Festival Pass

11:15 – 12.00

Art Festival

Paynter: The Painter, The Person - Delving into David Paynter’s Impact and Influence

"The Painter, The Person: Delving into David Paynter’s Impact and Influence" is a captivating session at the Trinity College Chapel, where Dr. Avanthi Jayasinge, a Counseling Psychologist and Visual Artist, will explore the profound impact and influence of David Paynter.
Book free Pass

12:00 – 12.45

David Hare in Conversation

One of the world’s greatest living playwrights, David Hare, talks about his life and his work. Moderated by Professor Neluka Silva
Book Festival Pass
Venue: Suisse Hotel Kandy (2pm - 6.45pm)

14:00 – 14.45

It’s the Body, Stupid!

Looking good is the 21st century obsession. Being good is no longer enough, or even necessary. Prajwal Parajuly, Koluu and Tina Edward Gunawardana discuss body image (the current holy grail of everyone under ninety) and its place in contemporary literature. Moderated by Mrinali Thalgodapitiya
Book Festival Pass

15:00 – 15.45

Will the last feminist turn out the lights when they leave?

Sri Lanka was proud to have had the world’s first woman Prime Minister, in 1960. Since then it’s been downhill all the way. Has feminism lost its way in the world? Or are we finally witnessing the Autumn of the Patriarchy? Two feminist authors Sonora Jha and V V Ganeshananthan discuss. Moderator George Cooke
Book Festival Pass

15:15 – 16.00

Art Festival

Paynter: The Painter, The Person - Delving into David Paynter’s Impact and Influence

"The Painter, The Person: Delving into David Paynter’s Impact and Influence" is a captivating session at the Trinity College Chapel, where Dr. Avanthi Jayasinge, a Counseling Psychologist and Visual Artist, will explore the profound impact and influence of David Paynter.
Book free Pass

16:00 – 16.45

Shyam Selvadurai launches Mansions of the Moon

Iconic Sri Lankan author Shyam Selvadurai talks about his latest book – on the life of the Buddha, seen through the eyes of his wife Yashodara. Moderated by Ameena Hussein
Book Festival Pass

17:00 – 17.45

The White Moghul speaks

William Dalrymple, one of the world’s most beloved historians, talks about his stellar career. William Dalrymple in conversation with Ashok Ferrey
Book Festival Pass

18:00 – 18.45

Woke me up, before you Go-Go

In our frantic efforts to stay within the ever-changing boundaries of political correctness have we killed off humour?  Sensitivity readers and cancel culture are all the vogue: are they bringing us swiftly back to the age of burning books? Prajwal Parajuly, Louise Doughty, and Sonora Jha  discuss. T P Tovenaar moderates. Pass me the matches, someone.
Book Festival Pass

10:00 - 10:45

But Where Exactly is Home?

Authors Ronya Othman, Amanthi Harris and VV Ganeshananthan discuss what it means to leave home, and how this upheaval has fashioned their literature. Moderated by author-in-exile Marguerite Richards
Book Festival Pass

11:00 – 11.45

Help! AI chewed up my manuscript!

In a world increasingly run by AI, are authors safe? Or will we go the way of rickshaw-pullers and chimney sweeps – mythical creatures of a malodorous past? Louis de Bernieres, Lal Medawattegedar,  Preeti Shenoy and current Gratiaen winner Yudhanjaya Wijeratne discuss this dying art.
Book Festival Pass

11:00 – 12.30
at Helga's Folly

Art Festival

Helga’s Folly Unveiled: A Captivating Tour Through Art, Mystery, and Time

Helga De Silva Blow Perera, a former Dior model with a fascinating background, owns Helga’s Folly, a captivating hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Designed by her mother - Esme De Silva - in 1930, the brutalist concrete structure boasts a stunning view. The hotel’s allure lies in the vibrant murals covering every inch of wall space, initiated by Helga in 1988 as a therapeutic response to personal challenges. Guests included Vivian Leigh, Peter Finch, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Book festival Pass

12:00 – 12.45

Louis de Bernieres in Conversation

The best-selling author of Captain Correlli’s Mandolin talks to Shevanthie Goonesekera about his career, his connections to Sri Lanka, and his latest book Light Over Liskeard.
Book Festival Pass

Colombo

Public Library Colombo

10:00 - 10:45

Tall Story, Short Story

Any author will tell you: it is much more difficult to write a short story than a long one. Four brilliant exponents of the art tell us how to do it right.  Lal Medawattegedara, Ciara Mandulee Mendis and current Gratiaen winner Chiranthi Rajapakse. Chaired by Seneka Abeyratne.
Book Festival Pass

10:00 - 10:45

Art Festival
Reviving Masterpieces A Guided Tour of David Paynter’s Artistry and the Art of Restoration

Guided by Dr. Priyantha Udagedara | Talk by Udaya Hewawasam on restoration
Book festival Pass

10:00 - 10:45

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
The stories we create (6 - 9 Years)

A playful and imaginative workshop where children will learn the joy of crafting their own stories.
Book festival Pass

10:00 - 10:45

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
Creating Stories to Protect Our Environment (6 - 9 Years)

A session that beautifully intertwines storytelling with lessons on environmental stewardship.
Book festival Pass

11:00 – 11.45

Is your Booker Bigger than Mine?

The Booker, in whichever form, is one of the world’s most prestigious literary prizes. Shehan Karunatilaka (Booker Prize 2022) talks about his win, and the dizzy whirlwind of public engagements that followed (and is still not over). Where do you go once you reach the top? Moderated by Savithri Rodrigo
Book Festival Pass

11:30 - 12:30

Children's Festival
Arts & Crafts
Pattern Play: Discover the Magic of Block Printing! (6 - 13 Years)

Dive into the world of Pablo Picasso's one-line drawing technique at the Children's Literary Festival, where art meets simplicity in the most magical way. This workshop is an artistic adventure that introduces children to the concept of minimalist masterpieces created with just one unbroken line.
Book festival Pass

12:00 – 12.45

From an Antique Land

James Braxton, star of BBC hit show Antiques Road Trip, talks about his career in antiques and his forthcoming trilogy set in Sri Lanka, starring (gulp!) the antique dealer Mr Ashok. Moderated by, er, Mr Ashok
 
Book Festival Pass

13:00 – 13.45

The Anarchy by William Dalrymple

William Dalrymple recounts the fascinating story of the The Anarchy: the disintegration of the Mughal Empire and the rise and rise of the East India Company; in what the Times Literary Supplement called “one of the best books on Indian history published in a long time.”
 
Book Festival Pass

14:00 – 14.45

It’s the Body, Stupid!

Looking good is the 21st century obsession. Being good is no longer enough, or even necessary. Prajwal Parajuly, Koluu and Tina Edward Gunawardana discuss body image (the current holy grail of everyone under ninety) and its place in contemporary literature. Moderated by Mrinali Thalgodapitiya
Book Festival Pass

15:00 – 15.45

Nicole Farhi: My Life in the Arts

Iconic fashion designer Nicole Farhi who headed French Connection and then went on to found her eponymous label, pivoted mid-life into a career in sculpting, and has become a sculptor of great renown. Here she talks to Dinesh Chandrasena about her life in the various creative worlds of high fashion, costume design and sculpting.
Book Festival Pass

15:00 - 16:00

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
The stories we create (10 - 14 Years)

A playful and imaginative workshop where children will learn the joy of crafting their own stories.
Book festival Pass

15:00 - 16:00

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
Creating Stories to Protect Our Environment (10 - 14 Years)

A session that beautifully intertwines storytelling with lessons on environmental stewardship.
Book festival Pass

16:00 – 16.45

Shyam Selvadurai launches Mansions of the Moon

Iconic Sri Lankan author Shyam Selvadurai talks about his latest book – on the life of the Buddha, seen through the eyes of his wife Yashodara. Moderated by Ameena Hussein
Book Festival Pass

16:30 - 17:30

Children's Festival
Music
Vocal Training with Music Makers (6 - 10 Years)

Step into the world of music at the Children's Literary Festival with our "Music Makers" vocal training sessions. Under the expert guidance of Roshie Wickramaratne James, each child will have the opportunity to explore and develop their vocal skills in a supportive and joyful environment.
Book festival Pass

17:00 – 17.45

Loved the book, but oh the film!

Why do some books and plays make brilliant films, but others not? Three experienced screenwriters – David Hare, Louise Doughty and Shyam Selvadurai talk to actor Nimmi Harasgama about the precise and finicky art of screen-writing
Book Festival Pass

18:00 – 21.00

Free Event

Film:  Straight Line Crazy (by David Hare), starring Ralph Fiennes

10:00 - 10:45

Zzz . . .

Do you have trouble sleeping? Let Giles Watkins, the Guru of Sleep and author of the book Positive Sleep teach you the fine art of getting a decent night’s rest. Moderated by Mrinali Thalgodapitiya
 
Book Festival Pass

10:00 - 10:45

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
The stories we create (6 - 9 Years)

A playful and imaginative workshop where children will learn the joy of crafting their own stories.
Book festival Pass

Date: 11th Feb
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
Age: 6 - 10 Years
Venue: Colombo Public Library Free Pass

a 'TUTTI-FRUTTI' Workshop by Chiara Armellini

Create imaginary fruits through arts and crafts
Book Festival Pass

11:00 - 11:45

But Where Exactly is Home?

Authors Ronya Othman, Amanthi Harris and VV Ganeshananthan discuss what it means to leave home, and how this upheaval has fashioned their literature. Moderated by author-in-exile Marguerite Richards
Book Festival Pass

11:00 - 11:45
at Curado Art Space

Art Festival

Sculpting Stories: Nicole Farhi’s Odyssey, Techniques, and Wisdom for Emerging Artists

Nicole Farhi first gained public recognition in the 1980s as a fashion designer. She created her eponymous label in1982,10 years after having started the well known French Connection company with her partner Stephen Marks .

She went on to win The British Fashion Award for Best Contemporary Designer 3 years running and she became one of the best known fashion designers in the UK, an inspiration to a generation of women.

Book free Pass

11:30 - 12:30

Children's Festival
Arts & Crafts
Picasso's One-Line Drawing Journey (6 - 13 Years)

Join us at the Children's Literary Festival for a fun-filled session of Block Printing! In this interactive workshop, children will dive into the colorful world of textile design, using stamps to create their own unique patterns.
Book festival Pass

12:00 – 12.45

David Hare in Conversation

One of the world’s greatest living playwrights, David Hare, talks about his life and his work. Moderated by Professor Neluka Silva
Book Festival Pass

14:00 – 14.45

Woke me up, before you Go-Go

In our frantic efforts to stay within the ever-changing boundaries of political correctness, have we killed off humour?  Sensitivity readers and cancel culture are all the vogue: are they bringing us swiftly back to the age of burning books? Prajwal Parajuly, Louise Doughty, Sonora Jha discuss. T P Tovenaar moderates. Pass me the matches, someone.
Book Festival Pass

15:00 – 15.45

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detectives

Three wicked ladies, all masters of murder mystery and mayhem, plot their next crime. Will it be The Bloated Body at the Bottom of the Beira? The Macerated Mummy in the Maligawa? Anita Nair, Shrabani Basu and Carmel Miranda, moderated by Chhimi Tenduf-la. Watch your backs, people.
Book Festival Pass

15:00 - 16:00

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
The stories we create (10 - 14 Years)

A playful and imaginative workshop where children will learn the joy of crafting their own stories.
Book festival Pass

15:00 - 16:00

Children's Festival
Creative Writing
Creating Stories to Protect Our Environment (10 - 14 Years)

A session that beautifully intertwines storytelling with lessons on environmental stewardship.
Book festival Pass

16:00 – 16.45

Help! AI chewed up my manuscript!

In a world increasingly run by AI, are authors safe? Or will we go the way of rickshaw-pullers and chimney sweeps – mythical creatures of a malodorous past? Louis de Bernieres, Lal Medawattegedara,  Preeti Shenoy and current Gratiaen winner Yudhanjaya Wijeratne discuss this dying art.
Book Festival Pass

16:00 - 17:00

Art Festival
From Earth to Art: Ceramic Creation Workshop Conducted by Dr. Ranjith Weerasinghe

Date: 11th Feb 2024

Session  [4 pm – 5 pm]

Venue: Ceramic Department,
University of Visual and Performing Arts,
Colombo 07

Conducted by Dr. Ranjith Weerasinghe

Book festival Pass

16:30 - 17:30

Children's Festival
Music
Vocal Training with Music Makers (6 - 10 Years)

Step into the world of music at the Children's Literary Festival with our "Music Makers" vocal training sessions. Under the expert guidance of Roshie Wickramaratne James, each child will have the opportunity to explore and develop their vocal skills in a supportive and joyful environment.
Book festival Pass

17:00 – 17.45

The White Moghul speaks

William Dalrymple, one of the world’s most beloved historians, talks about his stellar career. William Dalrymple in conversation with Ashok Ferrey
Book Festival Pass

18:00 – 18.45

Free Event- The Magic of Motown

Famous Scottish radio personality Stuart Cosgrove takes us through the 70s and the marvellous magic of Motown music.

10:00 - 10:45

Rhyming within Reason

Poets Ronya Othman, Aminur Rahman, Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe and Vivmarie Vanderpoorten recite from their work and discuss why (or whether) poetry is superior to prose. Moderated by Megan Dakshini
Book Festival Pass

11:00 – 11.45

Repeating History

How do you take a much-loved character from history and fashion a novel around them? How much of the truth do you tell, how much do you sweep under the carpet? Shrabani Basu, Christopher Kloeble, Shyam Selvadurai.  Moderated by Sukanya Wignaraja.
Book Festival Pass

12:00 – 12.45

Goldfingers

These authors – Anita Nair, Preethi Shenoy – have each sold over a million copies of their books. What is their secret? Listen carefully . . . Savithri Rodrigo moderates

 

Book Festival Pass

14:00 – 14.45

Be a Good Sport

These three authors and their moderator have each written a book on sport. Saskia Jain (badminton), Shehan Karunatilaka (cricket) and Stuart Cosgrove (boxing) ask whether you need to play the sport to write about it. How emotionally invested do you need to be?  Chaired by T P Tovenaar (Author of The Angampora Queen).
Book Festival Pass

15:00 – 15.45

Will the last feminist turn out the lights when they leave?

Sri Lanka was proud to have had the world’s first woman Prime Minister, in 1960. Since then it’s been downhill all the way. Has feminism lost its way in the world? Or are we finally witnessing the Autumn of the Patriarchy? Three feminist authors Shobhaa De, Sonora JhaandVV Ganeshananthan discuss. Moderator George Cooke
Book Festival Pass

16:00 – 16.45

Louis de Bernieres in Conversation

The best-selling author of Captain Correlli’s Mandolin talks to Shevanthie Goonesekera about his career,  his connections to Sri Lanka, and his latest book Light Over Liskeard.
Book Festival Pass

Creative Writing Workshop with Artika Aurora Bakshi

A playful and imaginative workshop where children will learn the joy of crafting their own stories.
Book Festival Pass

Date: 12th Feb
Time: 16:00 - 17:00
Age: 5 - 8 Years
Venue: t-Lounge by Dilamah, Horton Place

16:30 - 17:30

Songs of the Sufi
The Untold Story of Classical Qawwali

Presented by Shoe Market Productions
Produced by: Kamran Anwar
Directed by: Shahrukh Waheed


Venue: Library @ British Council
Passes: Free registration

Register for free pass

17:00 – 17.45

The Empire Strikes Back

Thousands of years ago the Indian Empire, in a wave of idealogical colonisation, gave us Sanskrit, the Buddha and the number zero. Are we ready to ride the second wave? William Dalrymple, Shobhaa De, Anita Nair and Palitha Kohona, moderated by Ganeshan Wignaraja
Book Festival Pass

18:00 – 20.00

Movie Screening of Cassius X: Becoming Ali

Date: Monday 12th February

Time: 6pm

Passes: Free registration

Venue: Library @ British Council

Book Free Pass

Curator:
Ashok Ferrey

Best-selling Sri Lankan author Ashok Ferrey has six books to his credit – two short story collections (Colpetty People, The Good Little Ceylonese Girl) and four novels (Serendipity, The Professional, The Ceaseless Chatter of Demons, The Unmarriageable Man) – all of them variously nominated for the Gratiaen Prize, the DSC Prize and the State Literary Award. His last, The Unmarriageable Man recently won the Gratiaen Prize.

The Ceylon Literary Festival is celebrated in Sri Lanka, uniting renowned writers, poets, and thinkers from around the world. Hosted in the picturesque cities of Colombo and Kandy, the festival offers a diverse array of panels, workshops, and cultural performances. It is a hub for literary dialogue, cultural exchange, and the celebration of the written word. 

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