srilanka-arts-and-culture-gratiaen-prize-2010.htm Creative Economy
Film
Music
Literature
Our Arts Team promotes contemporary and innovative work from the UK and Sri Lanka to wider audiences in around the country. We work with various artists, leading or supporting projects including showcases, workshops, festivals, tours and virtual projects. The team works extensively with artists and cultural organisations, building skills, capacity and cultural awareness, creating access to audiences and markets, and promoting international collaboration and creative exchange.
We cover a wide range of literature, including the novel, the short story, poetry, drama, performance poetry, crime fiction, literary biography, science fiction, popular science writing, travel writing, writing for children, screenwriting, literary translation, storytelling, literary criticism and the teaching of literature. We aim to create interest in contemporary English literature and to encourage creative writing amongst the 18 to 35 age group in Sri Lanka using our Animating Literature programme.
In a broad sense ‘Animating Literature’ can be defined as a networking tool on contemporary literature and literary related events and activities. We believe this will help to change the misconception that literature is boring. As a part of our programme we put together specific Literature events and activities such as the “Book Buzz” series, “Book & Wine tasting” events and book launches. These are carefully planned according to British Council strategic objectives, local aims, tastes and needs. The following programmes are carried out as a part of our animating literature programme.
BOOK BUZZ LITERARY SERIES
Book Buzz literary series was initiated in May 2005 with the objective of bringing to life and animating new writing. Since its inception, it has showcased a variety of British and Sri Lankan writing in English from UK performance poets to Gratiaen award winners to contemporary writers and even professionals engaged in creative writing. All writers featured in the Book Buzz series are members of the writers' website www.writeclique.net
Book and Wine Tasting events was initiated in November 2004 with the objective of looking at literature with a different eye in order to alter the stereo typed belief that literature is merely ‘a book on a shelf’. It is a unique series of events, where the audiences had the chance to taste a variety of wines while listening to some excellent readings. The various wines are picked to suit the mood and the feel of the respective readings which results in the readings being further enhanced, enjoyed and appreciated by the audience as a result of tasting the wines prior to listening to the readings.
WRITECLIQUE.NET - the writers' website
in 2004 British Council initiated and set up the online writers’ website www.writeclique.net providing writers ‘publishing’ space and a wider readership in a virtual environment. It’s basically a site where anyone can submit their writing and functions like an ‘on-line book’ to which individual writers can add their writing and each writer will have their own personal page on the site, which will contain a list of their writing as well as details about the writer and contact information.
Writeclique.net is currently in its 6th year and hosts over 1000 writers. Many are young, new writers and other are established writers including Gratiaen Award winners. As a result of the overwhelming enthusiasm and support for the site it will undergo upgrades from September 2010. The site is currently managed by Dreamforge Pvt. Ltd.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN SRI LANKA
Galle Literary Festival
Now an established feature of the international literary calendar, the Galle Literary Festival continues to evolve and explore new ground for the fourth year running and will take place in and around the World Heritage Site of Galle Fort. The festival promises to be another world class event providing locals and international visitors with a chance to come and enjoy their favourite Sri Lankan & International authors and engage in conversations about a wide selection of books & topics. This premier festival focuses on celebrating Sri Lankan literature and raise awareness of the increasing depth and diversity of Sri Lankan writings in English, and to encourage and stimulate further writing in English within Sri Lanka and Asia. Furthermore it aims to establish a healthy dialogue between participants and spectators, discussing topical issues & providing a platform for vigorous debate.
Since its inception in January 2007, the British Council has supported the Galle Literary Festival by sponsoring Booker Winner Kiran Desai in 2007, writers Sophie Hannah, Louise Dean and Susan Elderkin in 2008, the award winning children’s writer Michael Morpurgo in 2009, and critically acclaimed UK writers Ian Rankin, Michael Frayn, Claire Tomalin and Louise Doughty in 2010.
BRITISH COUNCIL ONLINE RESOURCES
Contemporary Writers
Biographies and comprehensive booklists for over 500 UK and Commonwealth authors. With critical reviews and prize information.
Encompassculture
Website of over 10,000 books, where you can read news, write reviews, join our online reading group or seek advice from the Online Reader in residence. For adults, young adults and children.
PAST EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Given below are some of the key activities in the rest past which the British Council Sri Lanka has been involved in. Please click on the respective activity for more information
This premier festival's main focus is on celebrating Sri Lankan literature and raise awareness of the increasing depth and diversity of Sri Lankan writings in English, and to encourage and stimulate further writing in English within Sri Lanka and Asia. In 2011, the British Council sponsored three of UK’s well known writers – poets Roger McGough and Daljit Nagra, and contemporary writer Jill Dawson.
This evening was organised with the key objective of introducing new Sri Lankan and UK writing, along with wines from Spain. The event invited the public to look at literature with a different eye, in order to alter the stereo typed belief that literature is merely ‘a book on a shelf’.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
For information on future literature related activities please click here
