FGLF 2019 Children’s Programme
Climbing a set of stairs off the road, passing a lavish green slope with an abundance of coconut and jack trees, we approached the pearl white colonial house of Thomas Gall School in Galle which is undoubtedly a favourite place of children and parents alike.
Boasting of the natural scenic beauty, the school hosted the Fairway Galle Literary Festival Children’s Programmes for children from the age groups of 2 – 5 years, 6 – 8 years, 9 – 11 years and 12+ years. During the two-day programme held on January 19 and 20, the children were engaged in workshops storytelling sessions and creative activities.
“The mountain of Serendib is among the highest in the world.
When we ascended it we saw clouds below us. On this mountain there were many evergreen trees….,” says Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta in one of his travel accounts, mesmerized by the beauty of Adam’s Peak. Presenting this year’s theme ‘Cartography’, writer, storyteller, Brandon Ingram shared the amazing history of Sri Lanka with children aged 9 to 11 years. Relating how a long time ago, South of the Orient, a mysterious small island became the source of curiosity of the world, Brandon noted about the island of ‘Taprobane’ in the map drawn by Greco-Roman astronomer Claudius Ptolemy, Italian explorer Marco Polo’s travel logs, literary works about ‘Ceylon’ by English seafarer Robert Knox and British Civil Servant Leonard Woolf in colonial times. “Cartography is the science and study of maps, discovery of new places. This is to see Sri Lanka through the eyes of non-Sri Lankans and to see how the country has changed over the years,” Brandon said. “I hope the session will inspire children to be discoverers themselves in future,” he added.
Coinciding with the theme, author Shama Perera introduced Bunty, a young adventurer who sets off on an epic journey around the world to kids aged 6 to 8 years. The interactive storytelling session based on
‘Big Bad Bunty’s Boat Trip From Brazil’ was paired up with getting to know about different countries that Bunty visits and an informative quiz at the end. “It’s a story of taking kids across the world, a story about spreading peace and getting to know of cultural diversity,” shared Shama with much enthusiasm. She added that she feels lucky to have a knowledgeable and very animated group of children in the session who would constantly interrupt her to ask many questions.
Another interesting session was the live action re-enactment from an excerpt of the ancient story
‘The Ramayana’ conducted by theatre practitioners Tracy Holsinger and Kimaya de Silva. Kids had the chance to play and read lines of Rama, Sita, Ravana, Hanuman and many other characters from the story while acting out live battle motions with friends. “Children’s programmes this year are very much helping kids to develop in creative ways, make them interested in literature and arts. We always have fun during sessions!” exclaims Kimaya.
“This year’s theme is basically set in making connections and exploring. Most of the kids present at the sessions are readers anyway and it’s wonderful to have chats with them,” shared Programme Coordinator
Tracy Holsinger.
The Soul, an energetic and eclectic band, hosted an interactive session with kids aged 9 to 11 years on multicultural music traditions, songwriting exercises, rhythm games on how to produce music with whole the body – by tapping hands on legs and chest, flipping fingers against mouth and tapping the chairs.
Thirteen year old Adeena Afla and twelve year old Lehara Edirisinghe were having a relaxed time on two swings during one of the short breaks. They were no strangers for the GLF Children’s Programmes, having been active participants for the past few years. Their favourites had been drama and poetry sessions conducted by Brandon Ingram and the poet Ohan Hominis. “All the sessions are nice! Especially drama sessions enhanced our creative ability from zero….. and I made a new friend too!” laughed Adeena pointing at Lehara.
In one of the primary classrooms, two year old Vihan was painting a broomstick in bright blue with the help of his mother. It was during an interactive storytelling session for little kids aged 2 to 5 years conducted by Jessica Mason, Principal of
Thomas Gall School. She read from the book ‘Room on the Broom’ and the children had the chance to make a broom on their own and colour it.
Art therapist Shimali Perera’s session encouraged little kids to engage freely in drawing and colouring of their memories from
the day.
Shown in these photographs are the ticketed events of the
FGLF Children’s Programme held on January 19 and 20, 2019,
at Thomas Gall School in Galle.