Make a date with poetry and prose

Bentota Beach – The Cinnamon Luxury Collection celebrates literature with Gratiaen

Launching another gem in its fêted series of curated signature experiences, Bentota Beach – The Cinnamon Luxury Collection, in partnership with The Gratiaen Trust, will present ‘A Weekend with Gratiaen Winners’ on September 26 and 27.

The unparalleled up close and personal literary experience will feature some of Sri Lanka’s most prominent literary celebrities, in the backdrop of the beautiful Bentota Beach. The award-winning authors at the event will include Andrew Fidel Fernando, Arun Welendawe-Prematilleke, Shehan Karunatilaka, Vivimarie Vander Pooten, Lal Medawattegedera, Delon Weerasinghe, Jean Arasanayagam, Vihanga Perera, and Thiagaraja Arasanayagam

Recognised the world over as the most coveted literary prize for Sri Lankan English writers, The Gratiaen Prize has brought to the limelight some of the island’s best creative talent, since its inception in 1993 by Founder Michael Ondaatje.

“When we launched Bentota Beach as the flagship property of the new ‘The Cinnamon Luxury Collection’, we unveiled with it a new genre of excitement. We introduced a series of signature experiences, carefully curated to cater to the vibrant tastes of today’s discerning traveller,” explains John Keells Group, Vice President Dileep Mudadeniya.

The event will unfold with a poetry reading by Gratiaen Prize winning poets Vivimarie Vander Pooten, Vihanga Perera, Jean Arasanayagam, Thiagaraja Arasanayagam, Sumathy Sivamohan, and Malinda Seneviratne, at a Bawa garden. Guests will be transported to a world of poetic fascination, enveloped by the graceful wilderness of the enchanting gardens by Sri Lanka’s most notable landscape architects.

The rest of the weekend’s activities will take place at Bentota Beach – The Cinnamon Luxury Collection. This will include A Traveler’s Tale with Andrew Fidel Fernando – a picture-filled presentation of Andrew’s travels around the island, with a short reading from his book, ‘Upon a Sleepless Isle’.

A highlight will be the panel discussion with Andrew Fidel Fernando, Shehan Karunatilake and Lal Medawattegedera. Moderated by Ruhanie Perera, the conversation will revolve around writings about cricket, politics, travel, and contemporary Sri Lanka.

Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a 45-minute performance by Arun Welendawe-Prematilleke, as well as engage in a conversation with Vivimarie Vander Pooten. The Gratiaen Prize author will share her experiences of being female writer.

The literary weekend will also be one of gastronomic exploration and fun-filled encounters. Guests will be hosted to the Hotel’s most significant buffet spreads, high tea and evening cocktails with jazz and fellowship.

Make a date with poetry and prose, and explore the wonders of the literary world with some of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated authors at Bentota Beach – The Cinnamon Luxury Collection.

‘A Weekend with Gratiaen Winners’ is available as an overnight package for 40 guests on room-sharing basis, and also as a day package for 20 guests. Contact the Hotel on +94 34 227 5176 for reservations, which will be made on a first come first served basis.