A&K Lit Fest just around the corner!

14 and 15 May will see literature enthusiasts swarming to the Western Province Aesthetic Resort for the second annual Annasi&Kadalagotu Literary Festival. 

Sponsored by Sampath Bank PLC and Jetwing Hotels, the Annasi&Kadalagotu Literary Festival, or as it is more commonly known the A&K Lit Fest, is all about providing a stage for undiscovered local talent. The festival brings together literary fans from all classes and corners of the country and features works, discussions and lectures in all three languages. Bound by the passion for literature people can spend their weekend browsing through collections of books, participating in discussions and listening to the wisdom of many a renowned figure in the literary world of Sri Lanka who have so generously contributed their time and knowledge. 

All the while enjoying natural simplicity of the traditional Sri Lankan atmosphere provided by portrait painters, palm readers and stalls featuring snacks like ‘annasi’, ‘veralu’, ‘kadala’ and later in the evening the scrumptious ‘issovadais’ and the pulsating rhythm of the ‘kottu roti’ cart.     

This year the festival comes with a special feature for school-going literature lovers and writers in the form of the ‘Poem of the Year’ competition. Students from all across the country were invited to send in their poems to stand the chance of having their poem featured at the festival whilst also receiving attractive cash prizes. The quantum of entries that flowed in took the organisers by surprise, delightfully proving that the art of literature was alive and kicking amongst our youth.

The festival provides a platform where all who share a love for literature may come together to explore and enjoy the literary culture of Sri Lanka.