Read Them, Hear Them, Meet Them HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival

At the heart of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival at Cinnamon Lakeside lies one of its greatest strengths: the rare opportunity to encounter writers not just through their words, but through conversation, exchange, and presence. This year’s festival brings together an extraordinary mix of voices—local and international—each offering a distinct lens on history, humanity, and the inner life. Among them are Dr Sanjiva Wijesinghe, Joshua Ferris, and Christoph Peters, three authors whose sessions promise not only insight, but genuine connection.

For Dr Sanjiva Wijesinghe, returning to a Sri Lankan literary space is deeply personal. A medical academic turned historian, his session Serendib Exposed invites audiences to reconsider Sri Lanka’s forgotten centrality in Indian Ocean trade and global history. Presented in conversation with Mimi Alphonsus, the discussion promises to make history accessible, engaging, and quietly revelatory—offering Sri Lankans at home and in the diaspora a renewed sense of pride in the island’s place in the wider story of humankind. His belief is simple but powerful: that hearing ideas live, questioning them, and discussing them openly can ignite curiosity and inspire further discovery.

Internationally acclaimed novelist Joshua Ferris brings a very different, but equally compelling energy to the festival. Known for his wit, insight, and sharp observations of modern life, Ferris views literary festivals as vital spaces of exchange—where jet lag gives way to invigoration, and solitary writing meets community. In conversation with Lucy Caldwell, his session promises warmth, humour, and spontaneity, exploring what inspires his work and why storytelling still matters in an age crowded with noise. For Ferris, these encounters reaffirm the enduring relevance of the written word and the deep human need for shared stories.

German novelist Christoph Peters, meanwhile, offers audiences a reflective and philosophical engagement with literature’s big questions. His sessions draw from his novels to explore themes of faith, addiction, art, and the search for meaning—subjects that resonate across cultures. Peters values literary festivals precisely because they demystify literature, reminding readers that books are written by ordinary people grappling with universal concerns. In live dialogue with audiences, he finds that unexpected questions often lead to unexpected insights, making each session a shared act of discovery.

Together, these three authors embody what makes the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival so special: the chance to listen deeply, to question freely, and to engage with ideas that linger long after the session ends. For readers seeking more than a fleeting encounter with books—for those who want context, conversation, and connection—these author sessions offer an invitation to step beyond the page and into a richer understanding of literature, history, and ourselves.

Joshua Ferris