Embark on a journey through the kaleidoscope of creativity as the inaugural Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA) sets the stage ablaze from February 2 to 4, 2024! Set against the mesmerizing backdrop of the UNESCO-listed Matara Fort, this celebration promises an immersive experience in contemporary art and music, not just from the heart of Sri Lanka but resonating beyond its borders.
Just a heartbeat away from the echoes of the Galle Literary Festival, MFA beckons both avid tourists and proud Lankans to extend their festivities along the sun-kissed south coast. Imagine yourself wandering through a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression, where every stroke and note weaves a symphony of cultural richness.
The goal of the Matara Festival for the Arts is to inspire a renewed passion for the arts and revitalize the ancient Matara Fort and its cobbled paths. It goes beyond simple celebrations. Not only is it a celebration, but it also serves as the steady pulse of an artistically driven economic and social renaissance, in which every work of art, every song serves as a brushstroke in an illustration of change.
But the magic doesn’t end there. MFA sees itself as a cross-cultural and cross-continental bridge. It’s not only about showcasing the diversity of Sri Lankan art; it’s also about painting a picture on which learning exchanges are vividly rendered. MFA uses the universal language of art to bring people together, from the nation’s heart to diasporic communities and international collaborators.
Come embrace Matara’s creative pulse. Allow the inaugural Matara Festival for the Arts to serve as your invitation to experience the blending of local and world culture, tradition and modernity, as it brings imagination and melody to the town. Join us for a festival where the rhythm of creativity wakes the spirit of Matara and where every brushstroke and note tells a tale!
The program is a masterpiece curated by the distinguished contemporary artist and archaeologist, Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe, alongside the musical virtuoso and educator, Dr. Sumudi Suraweera of Music Matters. Brace yourselves for the revelation of a feature exhibition and a concert that promises to be a harmonious convergence of artistic brilliance – stay tuned for the unveiling of the remarkable lineup of artists and performers.
At the festival’s core lies a profound commitment to #CultureCommunityCollaboration, manifested through focused and intersectional modes. Embedded within the program are enduring values that resonate with the festival’s essence – diversity as a potent force, economic inclusivity, and a resolute commitment to environmental sustainability. These values stand not just as pillars but as guiding principles, aligning seamlessly with the vision for the future resilience and progress of our communities.
In keeping with this, Randhula de Silva, an innovation catalyst, will conduct a workshop and conversations as part of the festival’s extra programming, and the Good Market will collaborate with the Matara District Secretariat and other partners to establish a community market as a capacity-building partner.
In order to set up the venues for the festival, which will continue in the long run to serve the community, especially its youth, the government at all levels has also been an essential collaborator. Jayanthi and Chanchala Gunewardena, who continue their late family member Mangala Samaraweera’s work through the Freedom Hub in Matara, and Prof. Weerasinghe, who worked with Samaraweera on art for peacebuilding initiatives, are co-founders of the festival.
