Maybe living in strange times means embracing strange approaches. An unexpected outcome, a sudden change in direction, unlikely connections. This year, embrace the unpredictable. What happens when you put things that seemingly don’t have anything in common, together? No spoilers please!
The Singapore Writers Festival, one of Asia's premier literary events, started in 1986 as a biennial festival. Now organised by Arts House Limited, SWF is a much anticipated event on the cultural calendar, presenting the world's major literary talents to Singaporeans while shining a spotlight on home grown and Southeast Asian creative talents.
Over the years, the Festival has become an exciting meeting point of writers, academics and thinkers in a choice spread of panel discussions, workshops, lectures and performances over 10 days. It has hosted literati the likes of two-time Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwood, Whitbread First Novel Award winner Zadie Smith, British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Nebula winner Neil Gaiman and Lambda Literary Award winner Roxane Gay.
From Festival favourites to unexpected new offerings, there is something for everyone of all ages in this year’s exciting line-up that spans immersive experiences, exhibitions, performances, film screenings, meet-the-author sessions and conversations. Do check out the events that Sing Lit Station is co-presenting with the festival this year:
CONVERSATIONS / YOUTH FRINGE: “Nature as the Bad Guy?” with Yap Hao Yang, Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips and Ng Ziqin. 18 Nov, 12.30pm, Festival Pass required.
MASTERCLASS / YOUTH FRINGE: “Strutting Through Stories: A Fashion Masterclass Talk” with Maya Menon. 18 Nov, 3pm, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS / YOUTH FRINGE: “How Did I Not Notice That?!” with Shamini Flint, Neil Humphreys and Jocelyn Suarez. 19 Nov, 11am, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS / YOUTH FRINGE: “What Was I Made For? Mothers, Daughters, and the Shared Journey” with Oniatta Effendi, Lee Su Kim, Amanda Chong. 19 Nov, 1pm, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS: “Horizons: A Gathering of Asia-Pacific Authors” with Meihan Boey, Yong Shu Hoong, Andrew Cox, Jesse Q. Sutanto, Toni Masdiono and Akshita Nanda. 23 Nov, 7.30pm, free admission.
READING: “Celebrating Ten Years of SingPoWriMo” with Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingde, Joshua Ip, Melizarani T. Selva, Stephanie Dogfoot, Cheng Him, Ang Shuang, Qamar Firdaus Saini and Jennifer Anne Champion. 24 Nov, 6.30pm, free admission.
EXPERIENCE / YOUTH FRINGE: “Secrets on Campus: A Murder Mystery Experience” with Mahita Vas and Clarissa Goenawan. 24 Nov, 7.30pm, $15.
CONVERSATIONS / YOUTH FRINGE: “Women So Overt, They're Covert” with Jesse Q. Sutanto, Balli Kaur Jaswal and Ovidia Yu. 24 Nov, 8.30pm, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS: “Zingers and Mic-drops, 555outheast Asian Style” with Sharmaine Othman, Gurmit Singh and Jesse Q. Sutanto. 25 Nov, 1.30pm, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS: “Stories from Storyboards: Lives of SEA Cartoonists & Comic Artists” with Toni Masdiono, CT Lim and Lat. 25 Nov, 6.30pm, Festival Pass required.
CONVERSATIONS / READING / YOUTH FRINGE: “A Tale of Two Beats: Hip Hop and Spoken Word” with Masia One, Andrew Cox, Fariz Jabba and ArunDitha. 26 Nov, 4.30pm, Festival Pass required.
VENUE: The Arts House
ADDRESS: 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429
EVENT WEBSITE: Singapore Writers Festival (for info / tickets)
DATE AND TIME
17-26 Nov 2023, various times. Free admission / Festival Pass required.