The arts are fundamental to our humanity and society. They enable and inspire us by fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The Galle Face Hotel, in an approach to revive the arts in Sri Lanka, is proud to announce its appointment as hospitality partner for the 4th edition of the ‘French Spring Festival’ that is about to get underway in Sri Lanka this year. 

This multi-disciplinary festival that is organized by the Embassy of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the Alliance Française de Kotte in Colombo and the Alliance Française network, will be hosting a variety of key events such as urban art and design exhibitions, choreographic ballet recitals that will further promote cultural exchanges. The festival will also feature musicians/bands that have taken centre stage in the international music arena including the French band, Sonith, renowned for their famous album, Fête de la Musique. The world of cinema will also celebrate cultural diversity through animated movies by Marguerite Abouet who will be present to introduce her movie Aya de Yopougon and French graffiti artist Noé Two, who will also invade public space with colourful art works in several venues in the Island.

With the hope of being inspired by the values generated between both cultures regardless of ethnicity, religion or age, this annual rendez-vous of French culture will start on the 10^th of June 2015 with the Climate Change Conference and will move on till 24^th November 2015, around Colombo including the Galle Face Hotel, with most events being free of charge and open to everybody. For more information contact; Harini Kumarapperuma, Cultural Assistant– Embassy of France - harini.Kumarapperuma@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Photo caption: (From left) Mr. Bernard Wasantha- Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anil Bandara- Representative of Jet Airways, H.E. Mr. Jean Martin Schuh- Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Mr. Anthony Paton- General Manager of The Galle Face Hotel, Mr. Michel Treutenaere- Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ms. Dinusha Illeperuma- Media Coordinator of the Embassy of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

About the Galle Face Hotel: South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendour with crafted modernity to form a new model for heritage properties. International guests are immersed in the Galle Face Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, while Colombo society perceive the hotel as the most prestigious, desirable destination in the city for memorable dining and special events. Whether at the hotel for dinner or for a month-long stay, an experience of the Galle Face Hotel is one of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.

Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia and was acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka in 2012. Further it is the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp.

About the Galle Face Hotel Group: The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC.

Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.

The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection

Galle Face Hotel in  Colombo and Hotel Suisse  and  Queens Hotel in Kandy.

Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lanka’s history, imbibed with the splendor of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic with its gracious surroundings.

The Resorts Collection

4 hotels routed in some of Sri Lanka’s most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vista & access to experience this great country.

The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Thissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa. Each of these recently refurbished hotels offers traditional Sri Lankan hospitality to visitors.