The Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA) will hold its Independence Day Concert lineup – a multifaceted celebration of music and artistic expression at the Mahinda Wijesekara Ground in the Matara Fort on February 4.
This concert will be curated by the musician and educator Dr. Sumudi Suraweera of Music Matters.
Dr. Suraweera said, “This Independence Day, we wanted to create a sonic landscape that reflects the richness and diversity of Sri Lanka’s multi-lingual musical heritage and contemporary evolution, while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.”
Get ready to be captivated
Get ready to be captivated by the pop-folk fusion of Amila Sanduruwan, the rituals and rhythms of Baliphonics, the smooth artistry of the Matara Jazz Quintet, the infectious energy of Orange Mango, the electrifying beats of Paloma, the dynamic collab of SDP Ft. Paula, the Carnatic-infused RnB and hip-hop stylings of Rolex Rasathy, and the experimental blends of The Soul, and other surprise features in store.
USAID support
The United States Agency for International Development will be a Festival Patron and Music Program partner for the Matara Festival for the Arts’ Independence Day Concert, said USAID representative of the Sri Lanka Engage Program. He said, “This event embodies the spirit of cultural exchange and celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders and backgrounds. We believe supporting art and cultural events inspires people to make their communities stronger, more vibrant and better for all who live there.”
Freedom Sounds
USAID will work with the MFA team on the ‘Freedom Sounds’ Community program that collaborates with youth in Matara (ages 21-40) to explore the possibilities of music to facilitate self-expression, critical introspection and action social-good.
Through activities that will tap into the practices of story-telling, empathy and activism – this program will help aspiring Matara performers harness their capabilities for connecting with others and making positive change through music.
Participants in the Freedom Sounds project will interact with all the performers and bands participating in the concert through its series of activities – some of which will also be open to the wider public attending the festival. This will also allow them to learn more about how these musicians have made viable careers through music, giving them an insight into creative-economic pathways they too may wish to pursue more fully.
A few of the most promising participants of the program will also join the professional performers on stage for a highlight performance at the concert.
