What makes the Galle festival so special?
Geoffrey Dobbs: I think the location inside the world heritage site of Galle, the intimacy of the sessions, the interaction between writer and festival goes makes the festival unlike any other. Q: You are the festival founder, how it all begun, what was the idea, and purpose? Geoffrey Dobbs: It begun by organizing a book fair at Foyles Bookshop in London for the Sri Lankan Government in 2006. The purpose of this fair was to promote Sri Lankan writers. On returning to Sri Lanka I decided on a whim to start a literary festival in Galle. The purpose of this was also to promote Sri Lankan writings in English by putting them on the same level as international writers. Also I wanted to promote Galle and the southern province as a very vibrant place to visit. Q: Are you pleased the way matters are developing, what is your story, how are you connected to Galle? Geoffrey Dobbs: Yes, am very pleased with the way the festival has developed in the last 3 years. It was my goal to be the best festiv
