Activities
in the Month of April and May 2008
Youth Peace Camp in BatticaloaA Youth Peace Camp under was held from 26th to 28th April 2008 at Sarvodaya Training Centre- Sathurakoondan in Batticaloa.
Around 140 youth belonging to various ethnic and religious groups participated. In addition to youth from Batticaloa, youth from Christian Youth Association (CYA) also participated and benefited from this event.
Rev.Fr.Navagi from Bishop’s House Batticaloa was the chief resource person and Rev.Fr. Dunstan and Rev.Sr. Anoma assisted him. Rev.Fr.Navagi conducted a bhajan (prayer) service and preached the Word of God to the gathering. Such was the response and fervour with which this event was received, that at its culmination, the youth of the Christian Youth Association(CYA)made a request from CPArts to continue to conduct these types of Peace Camps in the future as well.
Kalai Nila Arangu- JaffnaThis is a monthly event that showcases the talents of our art students at the School of Fine Arts as well as those attending our Children’s Theatre
Every month a high standard of skill and talent is on display, and the event held in May was no exception, with an audience of over 1000 being treated to a captivating vocal performance.
CPArtistes’ Grace the Stadium Opening
The Thuraiyappa Stadium in Jaffna was re-opened on the 26th of April. On the invitation of the Divisional Secretariat of Jaffna, artistes from CPA Jaffna performed a number of cultural items which went a long way to embellishing the event.
Ibsen’s ‘Master Builder’ – a Novel Interpretation
The dramatists of CPArts Jaffna staged a novel interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘The Master Builder’, which went on the boards at Tower Hall, Maradana on the 10th May. The production was sponsored by The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka, whose Minister Counsellor was also the Chief Guest.
This was the first time that Ibsen’s play has been rendered in Tamil in Sri Lanka, and the players gave a worthy performance which was well received by the audience. The sets too were very well conceived, stunningly portraying the period within which the play is set.Sri Lankan Dance…a Part of our Heritage
On the 11th of May, our artistes presented a performance of dance themed on the subject of ‘Lankan Dances in our Heritage’ at the New Kathiresan Hall, Colombo 4.
The programme featured a variety of dance form that served to illustrate aspects of our country’s cultural heritage. Whilst many held to traditional interpretation, some were also structured in a more contemporary manner, to appeal to a more modernistic trend.
The Deputy Country Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation was the Chief Guest for the event, whilst renowned choreographer Miranda Hemalatha and Naleen Gunaratne were our special guests.
Launching a CD of Folk Songs
Also on the 11th of May an hour preceding the staging of the Sri Lankan Heritage dance performance at New Kathiresan Hall, another significant event took place. A CD of Folk Songs and a book commemorating 75 years of folk drama staged in the North of Sri Lanka was launched by CPArts. Rev Fr N M Saveri, the Director of CPArts made an introductory speech, whilst Ms Kamalini Selvarajah, who reviewed both book and CD also spoke, praising the efforts and skill of the participating artistes who composed and executed this material.
Felicitating the Bishop of Trincomalee
On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of His Lordship the Bishop of Trincomalee and Batticaloa Diocese’, CPArts artistes performed for the congregation a number of interculturally themed dance items, which were well appreciated by the gathering. This event took place at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Batticaloa on the 23rd of May.
Report by CPArts Team