Galle Literary Festival announces more speakers for February 2025

More major names revealed for the 12th edition of Galle Literary Festival, including V.V. Ganeshananthan, Nihal Arthanayake, Ben Macinytre and Aanchal Malhotra.

25 speakers announced: Nihal Arthanayake • Rosanna Flamer Caldera • Peter Frankopan • V.V. Ganeshananthan • Peter Godwin • Romesh Gunesekera • Ameena Hussein • Susan Jung • Maduranga Kalugampitiya • Dr Naazima Kamardeen • Catherine Karnow • Lalith Karunatilaka • Simon Lister • Ben Macintyre • Aanchal Malhotra • Rashmika Mandawala • Sharanya Manivannan • Tasha Marikkar • Vidusha Nathavitharana • Dr Eithne Nightingale • Simon Parker • Shyala Smith • Nicholas Thomas • Yudhanjaya Wijeratne • Hajra Williams

Galle Fort, Sri Lanka – Galle Literary Festival today announces its second batch of speakers for 2025. From 6–9 February, the Festival will welcome a high-profile cast of local and international authors to Galle Fort. Joining the line-up are prize-winning fiction writers, celebrated historians, renowned broadcasters and talented illustrators.

Today’s list of speakers complements the first set of names announced in August, completing a line-up that reflects the Festival’s commitment to celebrating global voices.

Among the speakers announced today are winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, VV Ganeshananthan; broadcaster and radio interviewer, Nihal Arthanayake; author and columnist, Ben Macintyre; National Geographic photographer, Catherine Karnow; and historian, Aanchal Malhotra.

One of South Asia’s largest cultural and literary events, Galle Literary Festival in 2025 will host an enriching calendar of conversations, workshops and events. Guests can also expect a vibrant programme of entertainment and experiences, including live music, stand-up comedy, theatre and dance, as well as immersive culinary evenings.

Galle Literary Festival director, Giselle Harding, said:

“Today’s second speaker reveal builds on the superb response to our first author announcement in August. Our aim for the next edition of Galle Literary Festival is to champion a diverse catalogue of voices, and to provide a platform for a real range of topics and genres. 2025 will see something for everyone.”

Further details to be announced

The Festival’s full line-up for 2025 can now be found at galleliteraryfestival.com, including biographies and reading list recommendations for every speaker. Tickets are set to go on sale in December, with more details due to be circulated soon. Event tickets will be available to book exclusively through the Festival website.