The Galle Literary Festival, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), today reveals its much-anticipated programme for 2024. The programme reflects the Festival's renewed commitment to diversity and discussion, featuring more than 180 talks, workshops and events, taking place from 25 to 28 January. Highlights from the 2024 Galle Literary Festival programme include the following talks:

• The Changing Sri Lankan Literary Landscape Shehan Karunatilaka & Romesh Gunesekera, chaired by Ameena Hussein
• Televised Retelling: History On Screen Mary Beard & Simon Schama
• The Girl From Aleppo: Writing Nujeen’s Story Christina Lamb & Nujeen Mustafa
• The Anatomy Of A Thriller Anthony Horowitz & Amanda Jayatissa, chaired by Chhimi Tenduf-La
• On Community In Stories Amanthi Harris, Balli Jaswal & Alexander McCall Smith, chaired by Artika Bakshi
• The Female Body In The Arts Mary Beard, Tishani Doshi & Fabienne Francotte, chaired by Kalpanee Gunawardana
• The Rise Of Sri Lankan Cuisine. Cynthia Shanmugalingam, Lahiru Perera & Tom Parker Bowles, chaired by Eliane Sterchi.

Guests can explore the full programme, including event descriptions, timings and venues. Curated with care to celebrate a variety of voices, the programme spans a breadth of salient topics – from history and faith to storytelling, the environment and cultural identity. It brings together a cast of celebrated speakers, including Booker Prize winners decorated journalists, noted poets, popular historians and a fleet of famous names in fiction. “We’re hugely proud of the dynamic and diverse programme we’ve put together for January,” said Giselle Harding, Festival Director. “We’re covering a greater variety of topics than ever before, and with such an incredible line-up of talented speakers attending, we’re confident that there’s something for everyone in our schedule.”

A full calendar of events accompanies the talks. From literary lunches to sunset cocktails, the festival’s social soirées offer the unique opportunity to mingle with authors in intimate settings. Don’t miss the chance to join headliner Sebastian Faulks for Sunday lunch aboard Sail Lanka’s 27-metre yacht, hosted by guest chef Emily Dobbs of Weligama fame. Entertainment also abounds down south. Besides a number of interactive workshops led by visiting speakers, we’re excited to welcome an ensemble of performers to the Festival. Expect choral recitals, poetry readings and drama productions, as well as an exclusive Saturday-night stand-up set from rising Sri Lankan comedian, Vidura BR.