US Embassy supports Galle Literary Festival

The US Embassy in Colombo is sponsoring an American writer at the Galle Literary Festival and providing 50 university students from all over Sri Lanka the opportunity to attend the festival. 

The Embassy is sponsoring the visit of American writer Susan Minot, who will participate in three different events. 

A contributor to Granta Magazine, Susan Minot participated in the literary journal’s Sri Lankan launch on Thursday by sharing her piece in the most recent edition. She was also in a panel discussion on Friday focusing on Writing Political Realities into Fiction and Journalism in addition to sharing poetry from her book ‘Poems 4 A.M.’ over tea.

The Embassy granted $ 10,000 to sponsor students representing all ethnic groups and major religions in Sri Lanka to participate in the festival. Students from five universities in the North, South and East will link with students from five universities in Western and Central Sri Lanka.  The students will attend various programs at the festival, meet both national and international writers, and participate in special teambuilding sessions while in Galle. 

The Embassy supports the Galle Literary Festival’s efforts to bring a wide audience to share their different views with each other and hopes for broad and engaged participation again at this year’s festival.  Events like this help bring about fuller freedom of expression and greater mutual understanding in Sri Lanka.