Galle Fort is set to welcome a unique literary experience this weekend as Paper Plane Lands in Galle, a two-day mini literature festival curated around conversation, performance, and community. Headlined by writer and performer Nifraz Rifaz, the festival brings together authors, poets, readers, and creatives for an intimate series of events across some of the Fort’s most loved spaces on January 31 and February 1, 2026.

Blending literature with place, the festival moves through galleries, cafés, historic ramparts, and bookstores, inviting participants to experience storytelling beyond the page.

Day 1 – Saturday, January 31

The festival opens at Art O’San Gallery with Flying Paper Planes in Galle Fort, where Nifraz Rifaz will be in conversation with Prof. Neluka Silva and Sandeepa Vithanage from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm. The session is free to attend with prior registration.

The evening continues with a Literary Dinner at Fort Printers from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, featuring Gratiaen Prize-winning author Savin Edirisinghe as guest author in conversation with Rifaz. This segment is by invitation only, creating a more intimate literary dining experience.

Day 2 – Sunday, February 1

Sunday begins early with a Literary Walk on the Ramparts, guided by Sandeepa Vithanage from 7.30 am to 8.30 am, offering participants a reflective walk through history and literature. Limited spaces are available with prior registration required.

Later in the morning, Songs, Coffee & Brunch at Coffee Brunch on Pedlar Street brings together music, conversation, and coffee from 10.00 am to 11.30 am, where Rifaz will be in conversation with Jeremy Jayathilaka and members of The Unscripted.

The festival concludes with an open mic poetry event titled “What We Never Sent – In Flight” at When in Galle on Lighthouse Street from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm. Led by Gethmini Gihansa and featuring The Unscripted, this session invites voices from the community to share the words they never sent. Attendance is free with prior registration.

Literature Meets Community

Paper Plane Lands in Galle is supported by a range of creative partners and local establishments, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind the festival. With its blend of dialogue, performance, walking tours, and shared meals, the event aims to create spaces where literature is experienced collectively rather than individually.

Most sessions are free but require prior registration due to limited capacity.

Those interested in attending can reserve their spots by emailing nifrazrifazbooks@gmail.com.

As the paper plane touches down in Galle, the festival promises a weekend where stories travel through streets, conversations, and people—reminding us that literature is best experienced together.