Le Grand hosts Sir Donald McCullin for FGLF
View(s):The Le Grand Hotel in Galle was selected as the venue of choice to host legendary photographer Sir DonaldMcCullin at a literary salon titled ‘Landscapes at Sunset,last week. The intimate event was attended by invitees, members of the press, and guests with a special interest in the topic and speaker, as part of the diverse programme for the 10th anniversary of the Fairway Galle Literature Festival(FGLF).
In true testament to Asia Leisure’s commitment to the Arts, Le Grand has been named an official accommodation partner for the FGLF.Le Grand by Asia Leisure overlooks the UNESCO Heritage site Galle Fort, and so just a few steps away from the locality’s annual literary festival’s events.
As part of the group’s ongoing arrangement with the annual literary fete, the luxurious Le Grand -the newest of Asia Leisure’s six properties across the island- will be hosting the stays of five esteemed visiting authors, and will also serve as a venue for three other FGLF events in addition to ‘Landscapes at Sunset.’
Having witnessed through his lens some of the most harrowing global wars and disasters in a career spanning of half a century, British photo-journalist-and one of history’s greatest war photographers- Donald McCullin is no stranger to urban conflict.
At the literary salon however, McCullin chose to take a step back from military coups and gunshots to focus on the subject of landscape photography,his most recent publication being a stunning collection of iconic landscape photographs.It is this ability to put to use the same unerring eye incapturing striking and unusual imagery of such conflicting themes that has made him the much-lauded photographerhe is today.
After having delivered his fascinating take on the subject -captivating both fellow professionals and photography appreciators alike-, the renowned master of the lens took to leading the discourse further by answering questions from attendees, both specific to the topic as well as those related to his many experiences throughout his riveting career.
‘When I see something, I kick into my second gear – the emotional side of me. I see things in an emotional way. I’d think my God that road – men would have gone down that road and they wouldn’t have back… So when I’m doing these journeys – they’re journeys into my soul really. It’s not just lugging camera’s around and standing in fields. I’m journeying into my soul and into my mind’ said Sir McCullin during the event, as he shared his life’s work amidst a picturesque setting befitting the scope of the conversation.