- Strap - Colomboscope 2026 and how art, music and culture makes the city alive
Art and music has always inspired us. It not only evokes a sense of peace and belonging but also communicates valuable messages along the way. One key celebration of art, music and performance is the much talked about Colomboscope; a contemporary arts festival held annually in Colombo.
The ninth edition of the festival was held from 22-13 January at different venues across the city. Colombo. The Daily Morning Brunch visited a few of these events in the hopes of experiencing the creativity this city has to offer.
Arts and imagination
Colomboscope wouldn’t be the festival it is without its incredible artwork and guided tours. Art lovers across the country flock to witness the incredible artwork done by both local and foreign artists.
“I’m always a fan of Colomboscope because it shows us just how amazing and talented some of these artists are,” Nifla Niyas, an art enthusiast, said.
One of these tours that caught our attention was the curated walk with Ricarda Hommann which took place at the Barefoot Gallery. The work featured art and sculptures of animals, exploring the depth and beauty of flight and survival.
Brunch also got to experience the curated walk with Pramodha Weerasekara held at Radicle Gallery. The curation featured several creative pieces which made use of materials such as nets, pots and even fabric to give viewers an unique experience.
Performances and Music
Apart from the curated tours, Colomboscope featured several live performances across the city.
Musicians, dancers and theatre artists brought their work to unexpected spaces, from quiet courtyards to busy streets. Each performance had its own style and story, giving audiences a chance to experience the city in a new way. Some performances explored everyday life and personal stories, while others experimented with movement and sound to create abstract experiences.
One performance which we were lucky enough to visit was Melodies in my head; a performance held at Rio Cinema done by Thomas Burkhalter and Daniel Jakob which featured an hour long audiovisual session on the different emotions which being an artist evokes.
“This really resonated with me as a designer because being an artist, especially in this country, is not easy,” Ajmal Shaniq Cassim, a viewer, said. “The job comes with so many emotions so I’m happy that I got to see and experience this.”
Films and Installations
Film screenings were also a large part of the festival, showing both short films and full-length features. Some films highlighted local stories, while others brought international perspectives to the audience.
We visited the screening of Rhythm Kino at Liberty by Scope Cinemas and spoke to some viewers.
“I’m really amazed at how beautiful these films are,” Samitha Saranga, a film enthusiast, said. “I’m so glad I went to Colomboscope to experience this.”
Installations and sculptures were spread throughout the city. Some were placed in galleries, while others used public spaces in surprising ways. Visitors could discover them while walking through the venues, making the experience feel like a discovery.
Certain works invited people to interact physically, such as walking through structures, listening to recorded sounds or contributing to evolving pieces of art. These interactive installations encouraged a closer connection between the audience and the work.
A mix of local and global
Colomboscope also showcased international and local artists together. This mix created conversations between different styles, ideas, and cultural backgrounds. Emerging local artists had a chance to show their work alongside more established names, giving them wider visibility. Many visitors commented on how the combination of perspectives added depth and variety to the festival.
Throughout the ten days, visitors moved from one venue to another at their own pace. Some attended multiple events in a single day, while others focused on just one exhibition or performance. Cafés, courtyards and gallery spaces became informal meeting points, where people discussed what they had seen, shared opinions and connected over their experiences.
“I was able to meet a lot of people and engage with them,” Ahmed Ismail, a fan of art and film, said. “And that helped me make some new friends as well as gain some new perspectives.”
For many, Colomboscope offered a way to see Colombo differently. The festival encouraged attendees to notice details they might otherwise overlook, from the architecture of heritage buildings to the quiet corners of the city we live in. In doing so, it created moments of discovery, blending the everyday life of the city with the imaginative worlds created by artists.
By the end of the festival, Colomboscope had transformed parts of the city into spaces of creativity, reflection and social interaction. Art, music and performance not only filled Colombo with events but also encouraged people to notice and appreciate the city in new ways. For attendees, the festival was a reminder of how art can bring a city to life, making everyday spaces feel vibrant, imaginative, and full of possibility.