“Sweden Arts Festival” & “Virtues” Publication Launch

“Sweden Arts Festival” & “Virtues” Publication Launch

The “Sweden Art Festival”, scheduled for 15 November 2025 at Aulan, Gymnasievägen 1, 141 38 Huddinge, was organized by the Sri Lanka Academy of Fine Arts in Sweden. This festival marked the inaugural public presentation of Sri Lankan traditional arts performed and preserved by Sri Lankans residing in Sweden. In addition, the event featured an exhibition and sales stall of Sri Lankan traditional handicrafts, the launch of Swedish-language learning workbooks and children’s storybooks authored by emerging Sri Lankan writer Nimanka Kaushalya, and the historic public release of the world’s first Buddhist Jātaka Comic Newspaper (Virtues), created by visual artist Indrajith Wewalage.

A persistent issue observed during cultural festivals held in Nordic countries has been the absence of an institution dedicated to the formal and systematic study of traditional Sri Lankan arts. As a result, the community faced a shortage of professionally trained Sri Lankan traditional artists. This long-standing challenge gradually led to the dilution of authentic Sri Lankan classical forms, often replaced with Bollywood-style mixed interpretations. Deeply concerned by the fading of traditional practices, Senior Dance Teacher Muthukumari Liyanage became the pioneer of establishing the Sri Lanka Academy of Fine Arts in Sweden. With the blessings of the Buddhist clergy, her vision was realized, aiming to preserve Sinhala Buddhist cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations while fostering cultural coexistence within Swedish society.

The festival, held free of charge on 15 November 2025, attracted over 250 attendees, including both Swedish nationals and Sri Lankans. Complimentary refreshments and a coffee reception were also arranged. The programme featured high-calibre performances in Sri Lankan traditional dance, Indian Bharatanatyam, Indian Kathak, and creative pieces inspired by classical art traditions. All performances were presented by students who had received formal training in these disciplines, under the supervision of Senior Dance Teacher Muthukumari Liyanage. Each performance was introduced with concise explanations in both Sinhala and English. In addition to the fine arts students, trained performers and academy learners also took part.

Musician and instrumentalist Pandula Liyanage, a descendant of the artistic lineage of Sri Lankan renowned musician Sujatha Attanayake, gave a detailed analytical presentation on the revival of Sri Lankan classical arts across the Nordic regions and the festival. As the chief organizer of the event, he welcomed the audience and further explained the academic vision and objectives of the Sri Lanka Academy of Fine Arts.

The event was blessed and addressed by Venerable Watapana Pannarathana Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Albby Tapovanaramaya in Stockholm, Sweden. He highlighted the integral connection between Buddhist teachings and cultural coexistence, emphasizing that Sri Lankan culture and the arts were historically nurtured around Buddhist sacred sites. He expressed gratitude that Sri Lankan culture in Sweden too was being developed around Buddhist temples.

Venerable Mathale Dhammakkhanda Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara in Jakobsberg, delivered a guidance speech on how the discipline and rhythm inherent in the arts contribute to creating a peaceful and harmonious environment, eventually strengthening social well-being and cultural unity.

A special highlight of the event was the opportunity provided for Sri Lankan traditional handicrafts—brought directly from Sri Lanka and produced by skilled artisans—to be exhibited and sold. This segment, organized under the “Ceilan” enterprise owned by Mr. Janaka Jayasinghe, showcased the craftsmanship of Sri Lankan artisans to the Swedish public, enhancing national pride and contributing positively to Sri Lanka’s tourism and export economy. Mr. Jayasinghe delivered an informative presentation introducing the products and explaining their cultural and economic significance.

The festival also hosted the book launch of Swedish-language educational workbooks and children’s storybooks authored and compiled by emerging Sri Lankan writer Nimanka Kaushalya, published under her own company, Bibliyo Lanka. A dedicated book exhibition and sales booth represented the Bibliyo Lanka publishing house, and Ms. Kaushalya delivered a special lecture on literature and language education.

One of the most historic events of the festival was the release of a Buddhist Jātaka comic newspaper (Virtues), the first publication of its kind in the world. Designed to support moral education and promote Buddhist values in daily life, this comic-style educational newspaper was entirely conceptualized and illustrated by Indrajith Wewalage. Published as a monthly series targeting the European region, its launch was a central moment of the festival. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Wewalage spoke on the contribution of arts and literature toward strengthening cultural coexistence. He also elaborated on the personal, social, and cultural value of a dedicated fine-arts academy supported by professionally trained scholars. The stage backdrop, styled using traditional motifs, was likewise designed by him.

Ms. Samadhi de Silva, the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Academy of Fine Arts, addressed the audience on traditional dance education and announced new admissions to the academy. She also outlined the range of classes offered, including Up-country, Low-country, and Sabaragamuwa dance, Indian Bharatanatyam and Kathak, as well as sessions on drawing, singing, literature, and aesthetics.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Founder, Senior Dance Director Muthu Liyanage. She described the challenges faced over more than ten years due to the lack of structured development of Sri Lankan traditional arts in Sweden, leading to weakened cultural identity and limited cultural coexistence. She affirmed the academy’s mission to nurture future generations of skilled artists rooted in authentic Sri Lankan identity.

The success of this major undertaking was made possible through the committed efforts of a strong team, including:

Founder / Senior Dance Teacher – Muthukumarī Liyanage

Chairperson – Dance Teacher Samadhi Silva

National Organizer – Musician & Instrumentalist Pradeep Pandula Liyanage

Advisor – Visual Artist Indrajith Wewalage

Dance Teacher – Nayomi Lanka, Piyumi Gunathilaka

Dance Teacher and Science (BSe.) Undergraduate– Gethmin Samaka

and numerous dedicated students and contributors of the Sri Lanka Academy of Fine Arts.

Gallery

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