Singapore Writers Festival | Core Programmes - Talk / Panel Discussions

Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) will be presenting exciting programmes leading up to the festival in December. Please visit this page for regular updates!

Truly one of the most inspiring and well-known Asian writers of our time, Jung Chang will offer you a rare glimpse into China’s historical past, as told from her perspective, in this special lecture. Her works, Wild Swans and Mao: The Unknown Story have collectively sold more than 10 million copies internationally.

07 Dec 2007, 22:00
TUNE INTO TEXT: Surface to Air (Part II) - Launch of Velouria by Daren Shiau

‘Surface to Air’ deals with the trajectory of the written word into unfamiliar surroundings; in its second installment, ‘Surface’ is the printed page, while ‘Air’ is the shared interpretive space of music.

It’s a clash of the sexes as all-male indie DJ collective 4 Imaginary Boys battle it out with Cherry and Pixi[e]dub of all-girl DJ collective PopMyCherry! Every hour, the boys will be presenting half-hour sets inspired by five stories from Velouria, which the girls have to respond to in a mix of music and visuals!!!

A night that promises to evoke poignant memories, provoke your emotions, amuse your intellect and get your booty shaking.

08 Dec 2007, 10:00
THE WRITING ROOM: Your Writing Voice

Featuring: Anita Nair

So you want to be an author? Struggling to find your voice? If you’re an aspiring writer seeking advice and inspiration, come participate in this writing workshop with the talented Anita Nair. Anita, herself remembers clearly the struggles and complexities of being a budding writer. A workshop for the uninitiated.

THE WRITING ROOM
The Writing Room is a series of specific workshops and talks where different experts lend a helping hand to writers interested in carving a niche for themselves in the publishing industry. From the practical to the profitable, these writers and experts will guide writers through the pitfalls in getting themselves published and hopefully put them on the right path.

08 Dec 2007, 10:00
SPECIAL LIT EVENTS: A Literary Tour of Singapore

Led by Rosemary Lim

Explore Singapore’s literary heritage in this tour which visits the real-life places that inspired Singapore and overseas writers to create their fiction. We’ll follow in the footsteps of Conrad, Maugham, Coward and many more.

* Registration is Required

Price : $ 15.00

Venue : Meeting Point at The Arts House

Having written three historical novels to wide reviews, Kunal Basu’s short story, The Japanese Wife (from a forthcoming collection), is currently being made into a film by renowned director, Aparna Sen. Delve into the inner workings of this charismatic writer in this special session.

08 Dec 2007, 11:00
IN CONVERSATIONS WITH: Adaptation – From Print to Screen

Featuring: Su Tong, Lam Po-chou, Kenneth Tan (Moderator)

Established and award-winning Chinese writers, Su Tong and Lam Po-Chou, both have had their works adapted for the big screen, which have also gone on to win cinematic awards. This panel session is a glimpse into two closely-related industries – publishing and film-making. Find out first-hand from these writers what the creative process was like for them!

*This programme will be in Mandarin.

A prolific writer and prominent literary critic, Lan Po-chou, has made a name for himself among the Chinese literary community. Get up close and personal with this award-winning novelist!

*This programme will be in Mandarin.

A writer and a publisher, David Davidar’s first novel, The House of Blue Mangoes, was published internationally in 2002. His latest work, The Solitude of Emperors, was published recently. Meet the assured writer who has successfully crossed both spectrums of publishing.

A survivor of the killing fields, Luong Ung now travels all over the world speaking on her memoir, First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers. This book has received the 2001 Asian/Pacific American Librarian’s Association award for ‘Excellence in Adult Non-Fiction Literature’. This moving session is not to be missed!

08 Dec 2007, 12:00
EAT YOUR WORDS!: A Passage to India - A Culinary Journey

Featuring: Madhur Jaffrey, Janet DeNeefe [Moderator]

We are indeed privileged to have the legendary Madhur Jaffrey honour us with a one-time-only special cooking class! Meet the inspiring and charming actress, chef and writer, learn new recipes, pick up tips on cooking, discover the special secrets in cooking and how to present a fantastic meal. Not to be missed by food-lovers!

*Price includes lunch.

EAT YOUR WORDS!
Comprising talks and literary dinners, Eat Your Words! serves up generous portions of food and writing that are sure to tease your taste buds and tantalise your thoughts!

Price : $ 70.00

Venue : Restaurant 1827

08 Dec 2007, 13:00
IN CONVERSATIONS WITH: A Life Less Ordinary – Words that Empower and Transform

Featuring: Luong Ung, Arnošt Lustig, Elmo Jayawardena (Moderator)

“The condition of man … is the condition of war of everyone against everyone.”
- Thomas Hobbes.

Human conflict and suffering are central features in human history. How do people cope with suffering? In this enlightening panel, three acclaimed writers share their experiences of suffering, war, pain and poverty, and how writing and literature allowed them to heal, expose, change and inspire.

Featuring: David Davidar, Kunal Basu and Deepika Shetty (Moderator)

Writing from opposite ends of the world; join these two acclaimed and talented writers as they share their love for writing, literature and life. A fun and open session on just about any topic that you can imagine! Come join and listen in on this presentation with SWF’s most charming writers!

08 Dec 2007, 13:00
THE WRITING ROOM: Writing 101 - A Survival Guide

Featuring: David Parrish

Want to get yourself published but don’t know what to do? Come listen to the expert! International Sales and Marketing Director of Random House, David Parrish, will speak on the step-by-step process of getting published, as well as provide expert advice and information on the publishing industry.

THE WRITING ROOM
The Writing Room is a series of specific workshops and talks where different experts lend a helping hand to writers interested in carving a niche for themselves in the publishing industry. From the practical to the profitable, these writers and experts will guide writers through the pitfalls in getting themselves published and hopefully put them on the right path.

Price : Free

Venue : Living Room

Anita Nair has published five novels (and counting); her novel, Mistress, is an international bestseller and a finalist for the 2007 PEN/Beyond Margins Award in the USA as well as the LiBeraturpreis 2007 in Germany. The very talented Anita will share her experiences and her thoughts on the writing process in this session.

A poetry reading session by one of the most gifted poets in modern China that is not to be missed. A recipient of numerous literary awards and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Bei Dao is among the foremost of the “Misty Poets” a group of poets whose celebration of subjective experience and individuality are said to have ushered in a new era of artistic expression in China. Meet one of the most alluring minds of his generation as he speaks on his writing.

*This programme will be in Mandarin.

08 Dec 2007, 15:00
LIFE ONLINE: World Wide Web of Words - Literary Blogs

Featuring: Deepika Shetty, Sharon Bakar and Ivan Chew

A treat for book lovers out there, World Wide Web of Words – Literary Blogs, brings together online communities of readers and writers. Thoughtful and insightful, our panelists will talk about their favourite page-turners and web pages! Log on and join in the fun!

LIFE ONLINE
Is cyberspace the final frontier? Life Online is a series of panel discussions on how blogging has permeated into the social and cultural consciousness of readers and writers alike. From food to books and navigating through the perilous trails of online publishing, Life Online, presents a slice of what life is like on the world wide web.

Price : Free

Venue : Living Room

Best known for penning the novella, Wives and Concubines, which was subsequently made into the award-winning film, Raise the Red Lantern, Chinese writer Su Tong, will be here to talk about his works and what inspires him.

*This programme will be in Mandarin.

A writer, pilot and humanitarian, it’s no wonder that Elmo Jayawardena was named an ‘Everyday Hero’ by Reader’s Digest in 2001. His first novel, Sam’s Story, won the Graetean Award in Sri Lanka in 2001. Meet Elmo Jayawardena, a hero to many, as he shares his life and works with you.

08 Dec 2007, 17:00
IN CONVERSATIONS WITH: No Men Allowed – Women who Write

Featuring: Wang Anyi, Jung Chang, Li Lien Fong, Yap Koon Chan (Moderator)

No Men Allowed explores the aspirations, lives and thoughts of three female writers – Wang, Chang and Li. In this panel, expect passionate and playful discussion and debate on the nature of women, female sexuality, the growing number of female writers and female protagonists. A session not to be missed by women and those who love women!

*This session is in Chinese.

IN CONVERSATIONS WITH…
In Conversations With… are a series of panel discussions with groups of writers speaking on specific topics related to the issues discussed in their works, or stemming from their personal experiences. These sessions promise to deliver thought-provoking and emotionally-charged conversations with familiar and favourite writers from SWF 2007!

Price : Free

Venue : Blue Room

Edith Sitwell achieved notoriety when she burst onto London's literary scene with her brand of flamboyant verses mocking the dull, gloomy industrial society during and after World War I. Her infamous series of poems entitled Façade was set to musical accompaniment by her friend, the composer William Walton, resulting in a work of ingenious wit, humour and artistry.

Award-winning Singaporean poet Cyril Wong narrates in this rare performance of the complete Façade with full musical accompaniment conducted by Adrian Tan as a tribute to one of the most entertaining dysfunctional marriages of music and poetry.

08 Dec 2007, 19:00
EAT YOUR WORDS!: A Literary Feast with Jung Chang

This intimate dinner session with Jung Chang, author of the highly-acclaimed Wild Swans, is not to be missed! Find out more about her life in communist China, her life-changing experiences and her latest book, Mao – The Unknown Story, co-published with her husband, Jon Halliday.

*Price includes dinner.

EAT YOUR WORDS!
Comprising talks and literary dinners, Eat Your Words! serves up generous portions of food and writing that are sure to tease your taste buds and tantalise your thoughts!

Price : $ 70.00

Venue : Restaurant 1827

Madhur Jaffrey is a writer, cookbook author, TV chef, illustrator, and award-winning actress originally from Dehli, India. Ms Jaffrey writes for numerous food magazines and has won the Burt Greene Award for Food Journalism. Her latest book is a memoir, Climbing the Mango Trees. Come meet Ms Jaffrey to discuss the secret ingredients that go into making a good book!

09 Dec 2007, 12:00
IN CHAMBERS WITH: Wang Anyi

Moderated by Yeng Pway Ngon

At the crossroads of one of the world’s most ancient of civilisations, contemporary China is exciting, new and full of opportunities. What is this new vision for writers? And how does it affect the lives of those straddling both tradition and experimental? An insight into the latest literary and publishing trends in China, come listen to this lecture by Wang Anyi, one of China’s most established and prolific writers.

This session is in Chinese.

Price : Free

Venue : Chamber

For those who wonder about what goes into making a literary masterwork, this session with 2007 Cultural Medallion Award recipient for Literature Isa Kamari, will prove an eye-opener. Regarded as one of Singapore’s more experimental novelists, Isa will share and talk about his creative process. His recent novels include Atas Nama Cinta which is about Maria Hertogh and Memeluk Gerhana.

This session is in Malay.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest living writers in Malaysia, A. Samad Said is one of the more formidable presences in 20^th century Malay literature. With a literary career spanning more than half a century and still one of the more prolific writers in the scene, Pak Samad will share his observations on the historical and social changes around him and how they are reflected in his works.

*This programme will be in Malay.

Sitok Srengenge is one of the more highly regarded and leading Indonesian poets today. A dazzling writer, an enchanting reader and charming personality all rolled into one, an afternoon with Sitok promises an unforgettable literary experience.

*This programme will be in Malay.

Moderated by Richard Katrovas

Not to be missed! A literary encounter with award-winning novelist Arnost Lustig. A survivor of the Holocaust and the Auschwitz concentration camp, this literary heavyweight is an inspiration to all. A former journalist and political activist, Lustig is a man of experience, stories, energy and faith. This special lecture by Lustig, chronicles his life and literary journey through one of the most violent times of modern history.

This session promises an encounter with one of the more stimulating and innovative writers to come out from Malaysia today. Still only in his early 30s, Faisal is already an acclaimed award winning writer in both Malaysia and Indonesia. In 2005, the Malaysian magazine Faces named him as one of Malaysia’s most outstanding individuals, describing his novel1515 as one which proved that “Faisal is one of the rare ideologists in Malay literature, while its sequel 1511H (Kombat) sees him merging Occidentalism with the spirit of mystic chivalry.”

This session is in Malay.

09 Dec 2007, 15:00
THE WRITING ROOM: Shutdown and Restart - How to Get Started in Writing

Featuring: Richard Katrovas

Founding academic director of the Prague Summer Programme, Richard Katrovas is a leading lecturer and educator to aspiring and emerging writers. He is also an established writer and poet with more than 10 books under his belt. For those interested to start writing, this intense workshop will equip you with the necessary advice, skills and information on how to start writing. A workshop not to be missed!

THE WRITING ROOM
The Writing Room is a series of specific workshops and talks where different experts lend a helping hand to writers interested in carving a niche for themselves in the publishing industry. From the practical to the profitable, these writers and experts will guide writers through the pitfalls in getting themselves published and hopefully put them on the right path.

Featuring: A Samad Said, Isa Kamri, Sitok Srengenge

Three of the region’s top writers in one room in one hour: one session where sparks are guaranteed to fly. Here, Malaysia’s National Literature Laureate A Samad Said, Singapore’s 2007 Cultural Medallion recipient Isa Kamari and Indonesia’s leading poet, Sitok Srengenge come together to talk about their personal journey and search for a distinct voice of their own and the need for world to hear the voice of the region.
*This programme will be in Malay.

IN CONVERSATIONS WITH…

In Conversations With… are a series of panel discussions with groups of writers speaking on specific topics related to the issues discussed in their works, or stemming from their personal experiences. These sessions promise to deliver thought-provoking and emotionally-charged conversations with familiar and favourite writers from SWF 2007!