Galle Literary Festival 2025: A Spectacular Celebration of Books, Ideas, and Culture.

By: Rishini Weeraratne

The 12th edition of the Galle Literary Festival (GLF) concluded triumphantly from February 6th to 9th, 2025, reaffirming Galle’s esteemed position on the global literary map. With over 5,500 tickets sold, the festival attracted thousands of literary enthusiasts to the historic Galle Fort and its surroundings, drawn by an extraordinary line-up of speakers and a diverse program of over 150 talks, workshops, and entertainment events. This impressive turnout led to nearly all scheduled events selling out, with many sessions filled to capacity. 

The festival showcased a distinguished roster of local and international authors, including prize-winning fiction writers, celebrated historians, renowned broadcasters, and talented illustrators. Among the most anticipated sessions were Shyam Selvadurai’s conversation with Ameena Hussein about his latest book, “Mansions of the Moon,” and V.V. Ganeshananthan’s discussion of her prize-winning novel, “Brotherless Night.” Both authors were met with enthusiastic audiences and long queues for book signings following their sessions.

Engaging with profound and challenging topics, the festival featured talks such as “The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics” with Dr. Adam Rutherford, “A New Wave of Democracy in South Asia?” with Daniel Alphonsus, Peter Frankopan, and Razeen Sally, and “Connecting Cultures: The Art of Literary Translation” with Michael Hofmann, Rashmika Mandawala, and Aube Rey Lescure. These sessions attracted packed venues, reflecting the audience’s keen interest in diverse and thought-provoking subjects. Beyond literary discussions, the festival hosted a vibrant market showcasing Sri Lankan products and a diverse array of performances, from community theatre to cultural dance, on the Garden Stage at the heart of the market. The popular annual Literary Lunches and Dinners were sell-outs, along with the Children’s Programme and all workshops, indicating potential for additional fringe events in future editions.

Romesh Gunesekera, a visiting speaker, expressed his appreciation for the festival, stating, “GLF never fails to give me a lift in this troubling world. Apart from the magnetism of Galle, the chance for unexpected conversations, new ideas, and surprise encounters makes it a moment to be treasured. All thanks to a dedicated team who do the magic of bringing us together.” With a total of 5,610 tickets issued, the organizers are confident that the Galle Literary Festival has delivered a substantial economic boost to Galle and Sri Lanka, benefiting suppliers, vendors, transport providers, local hotels, tourism operators, and businesses within Galle Fort. Extensive coverage across local media, and international media outlets, along with the festival’s digital marketing efforts, achieving an organic reach of over one million impressions, has once again showcased Sri Lanka as an unparalleled destination for cultural tourism. Seasoned attendee, journalist, and author Charlotte Breese commented on the 2025 festival: “The best Galle Literary Festival I have ever attended; much the most provocative with fascinating comments like machine gun fire daily. It was a more alive and exploratory crowd and taboos were annihilated, a different spirit of enquiry was raging and an insistence on truth and also reconciliation.” 

With the bar set high, organizers are already looking ahead to the 2026 Galle Literary Festival and promise an even more dynamic experience.