International literary luminaries join the lineup for SWF 2023, while Singapore announces its next Festival Director.
The 26th edition of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) promises to be a literary extravaganza with an array of international speakers joining the lineup. Organized by Arts House Limited (AHL) and commissioned by the National Arts Council (NAC), this year’s festival is set to deliver unexpected outcomes, surprise endings, and big reveals. From 17 to 26 November 2023, attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of literary experiences. The excitement kicks off early with the launch of the Literary Pioneer Exhibition, ‘Tell Bowie He’s Only A Rock Star. I, However, Am A Poet,’ honoring the late Goh Poh Seng, a visionary poet, dramatist, and novelist ahead of his time. The exhibition will be at Punggol Regional Library until 31 October 2023, then moving to Funan from 1 November to 10 December, and concluding at Heartbeat@Bedok on 27 December 2023.
Expect a roster of international literary heavyweights at SWF 2023. British-Pakistani screenwriter Bisha K. Ali, known for her work on Ms Marvel and Black Mirror, will share her insights. Renowned Taiwanese writer and environmental activist Wu Ming-yi, six-time winner of the China Times Open Book Award, will grace the festival. Award-winning food writer M. Margarida Pereira-Müller will delve into Portuguese gastronomy and culinary heritage. South Korean filmmaker and novelist Won Pyung Sohn, celebrated for his debut work ‘Almond,’ will offer unique perspectives.
For an unforgettable finale, attend the Festival Closing Reading: An Unlikely Beginning, where poets like Yomi Sode and Caleb Femi will challenge conventional notions of endings and beginnings, leaving audiences in awe. Femi, a former Young People’s Laureate of London, will also conduct a Multidisciplinary Masterclass Talk, showcasing his ability to fuse text, performance, and visual art.
SWF’s signature series, Southeast Asian Focus (SEA Focus), promises fresh perspectives with programs like Going Live: Language and Fantasy in the Southeast Asian Vtuber Universe, Small Plates, Big Flavour: Our Side of Sauce-East Asia, and Stories from Storyboards: Lives of SEA Cartoonists & Comic Artists.
In a unique intersection of spoken word poetry and hip hop, A Tale of Two Beats: Hip Hop and Spoken Word will challenge and inspire. Join Filipino-Australian writer Andrew Cox, alongside local artists Masia One, Fariz Jabba, and ArunDitha, as they explore the connections between poetry and hip hop.
As part of the Youth Fringe, SWF addresses trending topics and youth interests. Explore mother-daughter relationships in popular culture with What Was I Made For? and gain insight into Gen Z perspectives in Who Says We Don’t Care: Role of Content Creators. Experience a thrilling night of mystery with Secrets on Campus: A Murder Mystery Experience.
In a significant announcement, AHL introduces the next Festival Director for SWF, Singaporean poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong. Shu Hoong brings a wealth of experience and a passion for mentoring young writers. His unique perspective promises to shape SWF’s future. He is also participating as a featured author in several programs for this year’s festival.
Pooja Nansi, current Festival Director, expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support and innovation that defined her tenure. She looks forward to seeing Shu Hoong take the festival to new heights. AHL and the NAC also extend their warm welcome to Shu Hoong, recognizing his potential to make a lasting impact on the literary scene.
Don’t miss out on this unconventional edition of SWF, filled with surprises and intellectual stimulation from 17 to 26 November 2023. Take advantage of 20% Early Bird Savings until 25 October 2023, 11.59pm. Festival Passes are available on www.singaporewritersfestival.com.
