'Words on the Mount':

A significant milestone

by Mahes Perera

To celebrate a momentous 210 years the Mount Lavinia Hotel is pulling all the stops out with a literary heritage celebration "Words on the Mount". This is a significant milestone in the history of the Hotel. Hosting a prestigious authors' event showcasing its colonial heritage and distinct trendsetting identity; is in itself a ground breaking event which will promote Sri Lanka as an incomparable destination and Mount Lavinia Hotel as the nation's most loved mansion. This unique and two day extravaganza will introduce writers who have a 'special connection' to Sri Lanka.

The event will be curated by Shivanthie Goonesekera author of 'Mount Lavinia, The Governor's Palace'. Speaking on the objective of celebrating the written word at Mount Lavinia Hotel, Shivanthie said "We want something new, to be challenged, to be innovative. To promote another generation of writers in the country and inspire the creativity of Sri Lankans to do new things".

Attending the event will be Louis de Benie'res, the well-known international writer and winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Novel in 1994, 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' who will introduce his new novel, 'The Dust That Falls From Dreams'. Part of a trilogy, set during the First World War. Louis' first book ends in Sri Lanka. He has a very special connection to the island which he will reveal during his visit to Mount Lavinia.

Peter Grimsdale a thriller writer and a multi-award-winning television producer with many major documentaries to his credit will introduce his novel 'Perfect Night', set in Sri Lanka and will explain how the book was inspired through his visit to the island.

Stephanie Calmon a writer and broadcaster and author of six books including 'Confessions of a Bad Mother', 'Confessions of a Failed Grown-Up', 'How Not To Murder Your Husband', Dressing for Breakfast' and 'Gentlemen Prefer My Sister' will also participate. Stephanie whose favourite book is 'Running in the Family' by Michael Ondaatje will be producing a specially written piece for Mount Lavinia.

Rohan Candappa who grew up in London as a second generation immigrant: with a Sri Lankan father and a Burmese mother, is an author of 16 books. He is one of UK's most successful humour writers and is the author of the acclaimed 'Pickle head' which tells the story of him growing up in South London and includes a brief history of curry in Britain and features his father's recipe for Rasam too. His most recent book is called 'Rules Britannia, the 101 essential questions on Britishness answered'. He is billed to do a unique performance piece for the grand finale celebrating what is it to be 'quintessentially British'.

'Words on the Mount' will be a two day event in July which will not only celebrate the Hotel's 'wonderful colonial building' but also be visually and theatrically invigorating inspiring a literary discovery that 'will be great fun'.