NATFEST 2026

nATANDA International Dance Festival 2026
19–22 November 2026 | Sri Lanka
Four Days. Many Cultures. One Universal Language: Dance.

Artistry • Heritage • International Collaboration
An Extraordinary Celebration of Movement

The nATANDA International Dance Festival 2026 brings together artists, choreographers, performers, and audiences in a celebration of artistic excellence, cultural heritage, and international collaboration.
Across four inspiring days, the festival explores the power of dance to connect cultures, preserve traditions, challenge social injustices, and inspire future generations.

From Sri Lankan folklore and international artistic collaborations to stories of identity, historical memory, freedom, intercultural harmony, and the creativity of young performers, the festival creates a shared space for artistic expression, dialogue, and understanding.


Day One – Thursday, 19 November 2026
Grand Opening
Opening Night: A Celebration of Dance
6:30 PM – 6:50 PM | Festival Opening Ceremony
The official opening of the festival, celebrating the spirit of dance, artistic expression, and international collaboration.
6:55 PM | Introduction to the Performance
7:00 PM | GARIGIRI
Performed by nATANDA Dance Theatre, Sri Lanka
Rooted in Sri Lankan folklore, GARIGIRI brings to life the story of Garayaka and Giridevi, celebrating the richness of traditional storytelling and cultural heritage through dance.
Through expressive movement and theatrical interpretation, the production honours the traditions, imagination, and cultural narratives that continue to shape Sri Lankan artistic identity.
8:30 PM Onwards | Gala Dinner

Venue: To Be Confirmed

An elegant gathering following the opening-night performance, bringing artists, guests, and festival participants together in celebration.
The gala dinner is optional. Guests wishing to attend only the opening-night performance may select an applicable performance-only ticket.
An evening of artistry, celebration, and international friendship.

Day Two – Friday, 20 November 2026
International Dance Productions
Movement Without Borders
6:30 PM – 6:50 PM | Festival Opening Ceremony
A celebration of artistic diversity and the connections that unite performers across cultures.
6:55 PM | Introduction to the Evening's Performances
7:00 PM | SPACE OF BECOMING
Sites of Memory, The Netherlands
In collaboration with nATANDA Dance Theatre, Sri Lanka, and CAMESA Create, South Africa.
SPACE OF BECOMING explores the legacies of colonialism and colonisation, inviting audiences to reflect on historical power, collective memory, and their continuing influence on contemporary identities.
Through movement, the work creates space for reflection on the past and its relationship with the present, questioning how history shapes who we are and how we imagine the future.

Five-Minute Intermission

SLAVERY
Produced by nATANDA Dance Theatre
SLAVERY confronts the history of slavery and the realities of modern slavery, revealing through dance the enduring consequences of exploitation, oppression, and the denial of human freedom.
The production invites audiences to reflect on the human cost of injustice and the continuing struggle for dignity, equality, and freedom.

Five-Minute Intermission

ADHARA ANGIKA
Presented by Sapphire Creation, India
A dance production bringing India's rich artistic traditions and creative expression to the international stage, celebrating the beauty and diversity of its performing arts.
Through the language of dance, ADHARA ANGIKA offers an opportunity to experience the artistic heritage and expressive traditions of India within an international festival setting.

Five-Minute Intermission

LOST
Produced by nATANDA Dance Theatre
Featuring a dancer from the United Kingdom
Choreography: Kapila Palihawadana
LOST explores LGBTQ+ rights, visibility, and the struggle for acceptance, using dance to reflect on identity, dignity, and the freedom to live authentically.
Through physical expression and emotional storytelling, the production gives voice to experiences of exclusion, the search for belonging, and the importance of recognising every individual's humanity.
An extraordinary evening of international artistry, powerful stories, and movement without borders.


Day Three – Saturday, 21 November 2026
Dance, Memory & Identity
Stories of Heritage, Humanity and Belonging
6:30 PM – 6:50 PM | Festival Opening Ceremony
An evening dedicated to the stories, histories, and cultural identities expressed through the universal language of dance.
6:55 PM | Introduction to the Evening's Performances
7:00 PM | GARIGIRI
Performed by nATANDA Dance Theatre, Sri Lanka
Rooted in Sri Lankan folklore, GARIGIRI brings to life the story of Garayaka and Giridevi, celebrating the richness of traditional storytelling and cultural heritage through dance.
Returning to the stage as the opening production of Saturday evening, GARIGIRI celebrates Sri Lanka's distinctive cultural traditions and the enduring power of folklore to connect generations.

SPACE OF BECOMING
Sites of Memory, The Netherlands
In collaboration with nATANDA Dance Theatre, Sri Lanka, and CAMESA Create, South Africa.
SPACE OF BECOMING examines the enduring impact of colonial history, exploring how colonisation shapes collective memory, cultural identity, and the possibilities of transformation.
Through contemporary artistic expression, the work encourages audiences to consider how historical experiences continue to influence individuals and communities, while opening pathways towards reflection, understanding, and change.

Five-Minute Intermission

CHUTO
Produced by nATANDA Dance Theatre
Featuring dancers from Jaffna and Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
CHUTO celebrates intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and harmony among Sri Lanka's ethnic communities, using dance to build bridges across differences and affirm our shared humanity.
Bringing performers from different regional and cultural backgrounds together, the production highlights the importance of coexistence, respect, and shared artistic expression.
Different histories. Shared humanity. One stage.


Day Four – Sunday, 22 November 2026
The Future Generation
Children • Creativity • Dance • Tomorrow
Venue: Villa Dance nATANDA, Malabe
6:30 PM – 6:50 PM | Festival Opening Ceremony
Celebrating the future of dance through the creativity, imagination, and participation of children and young performers.
6:55 PM | Introduction to the Children's Programme
7:00 PM | A Celebration of the Next Generation
A special festival programme dedicated to children's involvement in dance, nurturing young talent and encouraging the next generation to discover the joy of movement, performance, and artistic expression.
Through participation, creativity, and shared experiences, this special programme recognises children as the future custodians and innovators of the performing arts.
The programme celebrates the importance of providing young performers with opportunities to explore their abilities, develop confidence, express their individuality, and connect with others through dance.
By encouraging creativity and artistic participation from an early age, nATANDA continues its commitment to nurturing talent and inspiring future generations of dancers.

Farewell Dinner

Invitation Only

Venue: nATANDA, Malabe
Dinner Time: To Be Announced

An intimate closing gathering to celebrate the festival's artistic journey, honour the participating artists and collaborators, and share the memories and friendships created through four inspiring days of dance.
The farewell dinner offers a special opportunity for invited artists, partners, and guests to reflect on the festival's achievements, strengthen international relationships, and look towards future creative collaborations.
A heartfelt farewell to our artists, partners and friends, celebrating the connections forged through dance and looking forward to future creative collaborations.
Nurturing today's young talent. Inspiring tomorrow's artists.


Tickets & Reservations
nATANDA International Dance Festival 2026
19–22 November 2026 | Sri Lanka
Join us for four extraordinary days celebrating dance, cultural heritage, international collaboration, and artistic expression.

Festival Tickets
Thursday 19, Friday 20, and Saturday 21 November 2026
LKR 13,000 – Opening-night performance and gala dinner (Thursday, 19 November)
LKR 8,500 – Festival performance ticket (19, 20, and 21 November)
LKR 4,000 – Festival performance ticket (19, 20, and 21 November)
LKR 2,000 – Festival performance ticket (19, 20, and 21 November)
LKR 1,500 – Student ticket, available for all four days (19–22 November)
The LKR 8,500, LKR 4,000, and LKR 2,000 tickets are available for the festival programmes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They do not apply to Sunday's programme.

Opening Night – Thursday, 19 November
The LKR 13,000 ticket includes the opening-night performance and gala dinner.
Guests who wish to attend only the opening-night performance may select an applicable performance-only ticket.
Gala Dinner Venue: To Be Confirmed

Sunday – 22 November
The Future Generation
The LKR 1,500 student ticket is valid for Sunday's children's programme as well as the other three festival days.

Telephone Reservations
For tickets, reservations, and further information, please contact:
072 291 1703
076 972 5596
077 514 9015
071 470 5337

Online Tickets & WhatsApp
Tickets.lk
Website: https://www.tickets.lk
WhatsApp: +94 77 630 3456
For online bookings and ticket enquiries, visit Tickets.lk or contact its WhatsApp number above.
Advance reservations are recommended. Ticket availability and admission arrangements are subject to confirmation.


Celebrating Dance. Connecting Cultures. Inspiring Generations.
The nATANDA International Dance Festival 2026 celebrates artistic excellence, cultural heritage, international partnerships, and the transformative power of movement.
From Sri Lankan folklore and international artistic collaborations to questions of identity, historical injustice, intercultural harmony, and the creativity of young performers, the festival brings people together through the shared language of dance.
Across four inspiring days, the festival creates a space for artists and audiences to encounter diverse cultural perspectives, reflect on shared human experiences, and discover the extraordinary possibilities of artistic collaboration.
By bringing together performers and creative partners from Sri Lanka, India, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and beyond, nATANDA celebrates the ability of dance to cross borders, bridge differences, and foster meaningful connections.
The festival also reaffirms the importance of nurturing young talent and ensuring that the artistic traditions and creative possibilities of dance continue to flourish for generations to come.
Four Days. One Festival.
A World United Through Dance.
nATANDA International Dance Festival 2026
Sri Lanka | 19–22 November 2026
Artistry • Heritage • International Collaboration