Blue Skies Man

Interview with Captain Elmo Jayawardena, founder of the A&K Literary Festival

Written by Devika Brendon
Published in Ceylon Today

Q: This literary festival had a good feeling about it, didn't it? There was a vibrant energy and joie de vivre that seemed unique. And creating this atmosphere was clearly the aim of the organisers. Any comments?

A: the feeling was great - the people who were there were from all walks of life and ages - from 18-85! The aim was to reach people and bring them together in one event, speaking three languages that contributed to SL lit. That happened and that is the victory.

Q: The Rs.100 entry fee, the open stalls selling the A&K, and the homely tea and coffee tables, the freedom to move around from venue to venue, and the youthful vibe seem to be among the signature components. This was the first year of the event. How can you see it helping to ignite the next generation of creative writers and enthusiastic readers?

A:This is a beginning – I think we now need to establish a simple way to publish books from new authors. The most encouraging aspect of writing is when one gets published. We need to find that answer - I do wish I had the time.

Q: The A&K organisers kept it simple - and tri-lingual. Inclusive in every way. Unpretentious, and practical. Refreshingly different, yes? Was this a deliberate decision to create an alternative to the rather highbrow aura surrounding other literary festivals that have been held in the past in this country? And do away with all the 'celebrity' draw events that had only indirect connections to literature?

A: We did A&K with thoughts we created. I have always been for simple things - the humanitarian organisation I founded, CandleAid has more than 1000 volunteers, all simple people who travel by bus. That is where the strength is – A&K had a very good list of panellists and moderators who were not paid a cent they each received a packet of lunch and a tea and a piece of cake at 10:30 and 15:00.

That is what we need. Commitments from people. Of course A&K was an idea that became a reality - as for the future - who knows? 

Q: The venue was open, but the venues for the speakers were quite close to each other. It was possible to attend parts of sessions if they overlapped. Any suggestions for how it could be improved, next year? For example, for the less mobile, and the elderly?

A: Very good observation.  I need to digest a lot of things and see how new ideas would come and filter into alterations. Thank you for that.

Q: The A&K idea is brilliant. Was there a single person who thought of linking this traditional street food to a 'come one, come all' literary festival? How did it come about?

A: I think you should ask someone else that - call Dhananath 0775080256  or Devaki -  0776620571  or Keith 0777349880

Q: There was less stratification amongst the attendees at this than has been observed at many of the festivals organised in other countries. However, it was noticeable that the English events were better attended than the other sessions. Are there plans to open up the Festival to the broader literary community next year?

A: My thoughts are simple - there must be A&K in different locations and maybe bi-lingual or even with one language. The idea is to have an inexpensive event - already people are asking why not Kandy? Yes, that would be great! Why not Jaffna too? It is a good question - we had excellent panellists in Sinhala but ‘lit fest’ is a word attached to some elitist gathering - right or wrong, I do not know - but that was a reason given and needs to be addressed. If we have an A&K with only Sinhala and only Tamil - to carry the A&K name forward that could be an idea- but too early to tell.

Q: Do you envisage mentoring sessions and workshops for emerging writers that could be held during the year between festivals? To sustain interest in developing the literary culture?

A: I have some ideas for creative writing workshops and would give anything to do these anytime, anywhere. My main aim in starting A&K was to bring literature to the common man... There was a Mr Amunugama who came with his son and granddaughter (85 years old). He brought with him 2 poetry books. I spoke with him to thank him. There was another gentleman who came from Balangoda by bus with a poetry book to meet others - he was 66. Susila Wijesuriya is 84 - she came to buy books and listen to anything, and said she loved it. That is why we had sessions for retirees for the young and for the middle-aged and for the disabled, just to make others feel that they too can write a book or a poem.

Q: May we know why 'Blue Skies' is your personal motto? It seems very appropriate for a former captain of a plane!

A: Blue skies - is a lovely word in any way you look at it. Have you ever felt disappointed that you saw a blue sky? I love the sky - more than 4 decades of punching holes in it and still teaching people how to be safe in it. I simply love blue skies!

Q: Is the organisation of this event part of a hope you have to establish encouraging structures for the younger generation? To organically generate a culture of creative expression in which they have choice and individual freedom, rather than their being presented with authorized models of cultural success to imitate?

A: It was the main reason - to encourage people and to get to know the lesser beings of literature and I came to know so many and I am so happy about it - we need creative expressions and ways to express them. Everyone cannot be a Salman Rushdie or a Khaled Hosseini - I bought a lot of Sinhala books from the festival and I am holed up in a hotel room in Singapore and slowly reading them - what a lot of lovely literature! Thank god I have them!

                                                                                                                                                  Q:  Are you, in initiating this festival, 'lighting a candle, instead of cursing the darkness'? What are your hopes for the youth of this country?

A: Ours is a very beautiful country. I have believed in socialism and the equality of human beings but I see it shattered in SL that makes me so sad. In CandleAid, we have around 500 current university students - brilliant young people who struggle with “podibandagath balaporoththu" - and find like most things in their lives - they simply vanish… Sorry Devika - I will not stop if I start!

Yes, it was my way of lighting a candle for literature without cursing the darkness.

BLUE SKIES