By Rihaab Mowlana

Paraíso SBKZ - Sri Lanka Dance Festival 2025 isn’t just an event - it’s a vision taking shape. A vision to show the world that Sri Lanka is more than a postcard-perfect island; it’s a place alive with rhythm, creativity, and connection. Set to unfold at the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel from October 31 to November 2, the festival brings together over 75 international artists, 500 dancers, and 12 dance styles from around the world in a three-day celebration of music, movement, and culture. With the backing of Sri Lanka Tourism and a focus on both global collaboration and local empowerment, Gayathri Soysa, a member of the Sri Lanka Dance Festival Organising Committee, hopes the festival will mark the beginning of a new chapter. One that positions Sri Lanka as Asia’s next hub for dance tourism, while giving homegrown talent the global stage it deserves.

Pictured: Gayathri Soysa

What sparked the idea for bringing an international dance festival to Sri Lanka, and why now?
The idea came from a deep desire to show the world that Sri Lanka is more than just a beautiful travel destination. It’s a country with rhythm, passion and creative energy.

We’ve seen how dance festivals in places like Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia attract thousands of tourists each year, creating communities that travel and connect through dance. We felt it was time for Sri Lanka to take that stage and offer the world something truly special. An experience that blends our culture, hospitality, and natural beauty with the energy of international dance.

“Paraíso” the theme of your first edition, means paradise. Can you tell us how that name ties into your vision for the event?
The name Paraíso perfectly captures what we want people to feel - that Sri Lanka is paradise. It’s not just about beaches and palm trees; it’s about the warmth of the people, the rhythm in our hearts, and the sense of belonging that dance brings.

We want every dancer and visitor to feel like they’ve found their own paradise here. A place where cultures meet, creativity flourishes, and connections are made through movement.

Sri Lanka has hosted many cultural festivals, but this one feels quite different. How would you describe what sets SLDF apart?
What makes Paraíso SBKZ unique is that it’s not just a cultural festival; it’s an international movement built on dancers.

It brings together artists, musicians and creators from 15+ countries for a shared experience that blends art, tourism and community. It’s not only about performances but also workshops, socials and collaborations.

It’s immersive, inclusive and designed to showcase both Sri Lanka’s talent and its potential as a world-class creative destination.

You’ve described the festival as a movement. What kind of movement do you hope this becomes for Sri Lanka and Asia?
We hope this becomes a movement that inspires connection between artists, cultures and countries. For Sri Lanka, it’s a chance to shine on a global stage and be recognised as a destination for creativity and dance tourism.

For Asia, we want to build a strong network of festivals and collaborations that make the region the heartbeat of dance in the world. The goal is continuity, not just a one-time event, but a long-term creative exchange.

The lineup includes over 75 international artists. Can you give us a sense of what kind of energy and diversity that will bring to the island?
The energy will be electric. We have artists from America, Europe, Australia and Asia, all bringing their own styles, stories and cultures.

From world champions to top international DJs, every artist adds their own rhythm to the experience. Together with our Sri Lankan dancers, it creates a powerful blend, a true cultural fusion that celebrates diversity through music and movement.

What are you most excited for audiences and dancers to experience: the workshops, the socials, or the showcases?
Each segment has its magic. The workshops give dancers the chance to train with some of the world’s best. The socials, especially the beach and pool parties, capture the spirit of connection and freedom that dance brings. But personally, I’m most excited for the showcases where Sri Lankan and international artists share the same stage. That’s where you really see cultures merge, energy rise, and hearts connect.

One of your goals is to position Sri Lanka as Asia’s next hub for dance tourism. What does that vision look like in the long term?
In the long term, we want to see Sri Lanka recognised as a regular stop on the global dance map. We envision annual festivals, international workshops and exchange programs that attract dancers, creators, and tourists year-round.

This isn’t just about dance, it’s about building a creative economy around art, travel and experience, and making Sri Lanka the heartbeat of dance tourism in Asia.

Tell us about the Sri Lanka Dance Challenge. How did you plan to bring in 100 local dance schools from across the island?
The Sri Lanka Dance Challenge is one of the most meaningful parts of the festival.

Over 100 schools from Colombo to Jaffna, Kandy to Galle participated to pick the top 10 schools. It’s about inclusivity and visibility. Winners of the competition will perform on the international stage at the grand opening night alongside world champions, giving Sri Lankan dancers the global recognition they deserve.

Beyond the festival, are there plans to continue nurturing Sri Lankan dancers and schools through future collaborations or training?
Yes, absolutely. Sri Lanka Dance Festival is just the beginning.
We are already in discussion with several international festivals and institutions to create ongoing training programs, exchange residencies and performance opportunities for Sri Lankan dancers abroad.
Our long-term goal is to build a sustainable dance ecosystem, one where Sri Lankan talent is trained, celebrated and seen globally.