Gratiaen Trust Curates Literary Events at Havelock City Literary Festival

As part of its continued commitment to promoting literary engagement and fostering creative expression, the Gratiaen Trust curated two events at the Havelock City Literary Festival, held on September 13 and 14, 2025. The programme included a creative writing workshop for children and a panel discussion featuring leading voices in contemporary Sri Lankan literature.

Creative Writing Workshop for Children

On September 13, Professor Neluka Silva conducted two sessions of a creative writing workshop for children aged 8–12. The sessions encouraged participants to explore narrative form, imagination, and collaborative storytelling. The workshops reflected the Trust’s ongoing efforts to nurture an early appreciation for literature and to develop creative writing skills among young readers and writers.

Panel Discussion: Rewriting the Narrative

On September 14, the Gratiaen Trust presented a panel discussion titled “Rewriting the Narrative”, which examined how Sri Lankan authors are redefining the boundaries of literary form and genre. The panel brought together Vihanga Perera, Savin Edirisinghe (Winner, 32nd Gratiaen Prize), and Priyangwada Perera (Winner, H.A.I. Goonetileke Prize 2024).

Moderated in an open conversational format, the discussion engaged with questions surrounding influence, experimentation, the impact of technology on creativity, and the evolving role of language and style in contemporary Sri Lankan writing. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing the audience to engage directly with the panellists on key themes and ideas raised during the discussion.

These events furthered the Trust’s mission to create inclusive platforms for dialogue and literary development, connecting writers, readers, and educators in meaningful exchange.