Spread across 10 days from November 2 to 11, the multilingual – and multicultural – Singapore Writers Festival pays homage to the world’s acclaimed authors, poets, graphic novelists and philosophers with programmes based on a wide spectrum of topics. Ignite thought-provoking conversations through panel discussions, immersive workshops, live performances, film screenings and more. Literary giants such as Irvine Welsh, Kiran Desai, David Sedaris, Simon Armitage and more are set to make an appearance.
Whether you're an ultimate bookworm, a literary lover or simply have an appreciation for words, here are some of the unmissable highlights of the Singapore Writers Festival.
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Nov 3
There's no denying that issues of integration, empathy and intercultural dialogue are important in this day and age. Join various writers, musicians and performance poets including Pooja Nansi, Vanessa Fernandez and Subhas Nair as they weave poetry, rap and hip-hop, to wrestle with these concerns. Tickets start at $15 at Sistic.
The Arts House, 8pm
Nov 3
Not for anyone under the age of 16, German film (with English subtitles) LOMO – The Language Of Many Others explores the world of an internet lurker named Karl who collects and compiles photos and videos online. After falling out with the girl he loves, Karl begins playing a dangerous game where his blog followers are allowed to dictate his life. Stay after credits roll for a post-show talk with director Julia Langhof who also co-wrote the screenplay. Tickets are available at $10 each via Peatix.
Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, National Gallery Singapore, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Nov 11
Follow acclaimed journalist-author Jeff Goodell as he showcases how water plays a vital role in climate change and how it can result in a water world we might have to live in. No stranger to this issue, Goodell has travelled to Alaska with former US President Barack Obama, and has been interviewing scientists and climate change leaders from around the world to investigate first-hand how climate change and the rising sea levels are affecting us all. Tickets start at $20 each via Sistic.
Victoria Theatre, 3pm
Nov 5
If you find yourself double tapping on Rupi Kaur and Lang Leav's poetry on Instagram, then you're well aware that online poetry-sharing is having a moment right now. Dig deeper into the world of social media poetry with local poet and literary critic Gwee Li Sui as he outlines how the likes of Lin Hsin Hsin and Nicole Choo explore the internet as their sharing platform. Festival Passes start from $25 here.
The Arts House, 7pm-8pm
Nov 8
Immerse yourself in this multi-sensorial treat where you get to move between various rooms and experience a different take on food, music, drama and cinema. Take up against Chinese author Eileen Chang for a round of mahjong, strap in for a verbal sparring between Chinese ghost-story writer Pu Songling and the author of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, or fill up with hors-d'oeuvre from Miss Havisham's (Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations) wedding breakfast, as well as sweet treats from the Mad Hatter’s (Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland) tea party. Grab a seat for a series of screenings including Paprika and Raffles Hotel, and the dream-like soundscapes of Mervin Wong. Tickets are available online at Sistic from $30 each.
The Arts House, 7pm and 9.30pm
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