Bigger, Better, Bolder: Singapore Writers Festival 2014
PUBLISHED October 21st, 2014 04:24 pm | UPDATED January 20th, 2016 02:08 pm
Having inspired us with the past 16 editions, Singapore Writers Festival (SWF 2014) is back bigger and better this year with a new theme, The Prospect of Beauty. Aside from basking in the beauty of well-formed poetry and prose, expect to take a closer look at genres like romance, song writing and the lyrical in literary fiction and poetry. Those who prefer the realms of non-fiction can look forward to navigating the philosophy of feminism, physical beauty, and today’s multi-billion dollar beauty culture.
With 10 jam-packed days of thought-provoking and inspiring lectures, panel discussions, meet-the-author sessions, poetry readings, literary tours, and more, we’re literally spoilt for choice. So we’ve narrowed everything down to 5 things we’re anticipating at SWF 2014.
The Line-Up (of course)
With over 250 literary events and 200 participating writers from all over the world, it’s hard not to be excited about the festival. US feminist powerhouse and activist Naomi Wolf would be talking about the beauty industry and her international bestseller, The Beauty Myth. American travel writer and novelist Paul Theroux, who wrote the controversial novel Saint Jack (set and shot in Singapore!) will be speaking about his travels, and taking on the hard-hitting topic of humanitarian efforts in areas of conflict in the panel discussion Heart of Darkness: When ‘Do No Harm’ Hurts.
Besides the prevalent English writers, this multi-lingual festival also includes an array of Chinese, Malay and Tamil writers, such as Su Tong, the writer best known for being the mind behind Zhang Yimou’s film, Raise the Red Lantern. Leena Manimekalai, one of India’s most prominent feminist poets and filmmakers, will also be present
Literature for Everyone
The increased number of interactive and experimental programmes that the festival has included in its itinerary is also something to look forward to. To cope with the bigger festival this year, two new venues have become part of this massive event.
SWF 2014’s children’s programme, Little Lit!, will be held in the Children’s Wing of the National Museum of Singapore while Centre 42 will see more experimental and interactive programmes for adults like, interactive theatre, spoken word, poetry, and jazz.
Taking it outside – The Balik Kampung Literary Tours
Literature in the great outdoors – why not? ‘The City as Inspiration: The Balik Kampung Literary Walk’ will feature nine local writers as they share their stories in various sites in Singapore that have inspired them. These writers include local playwright Verena Tay, writer and poet Desmond Kon and founder of The Common Folk, Christopher Fok. On top of giving the audience a truly local literary experience, the programme facilitates the re-discovery of Singaporean sites through new perspectives.
Eat Your Words over Literary Meals at The Arts House
How cool would it be to have an actual meal with your literary hero? This year’s festival would be hosting some exciting literary meals with three prominent writers.
As we all know by now, Naomi Wolf is one writer to look out for in this year’s feministic-driven festival. And there’s a chance to sit down and chat with her about life, politics, art and literature over a meal at Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt.
It is also not everyday you get to dine with and engage an award-winning (Pulitzer and T.S Elliot) poet like Paul Muldoon.
If you’re a fan of American Literature, lunch with Robert Pinsky, acclaimed American poet, essayist, and literary critic who has served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Enjoy an afternoon with the man himself sharing the poetry of words and the influence of jazz music on his work.
The SWF 2014 Fringe
Curated by The Arts House, the SWF 2014 Fringe this year has loads in store for festival pass holders. Writers, journalists and political activists have been invited to talk about their thrilling experiences around the world. For instance, leading authority on Islamic extremism Solahudin and journalist Maria Ressa will be speaking on the hot (and contentious) topic of terrorism.
Film buffs will have a field day with the featured films at the SWF 2014 Fringe. The line-up includes some of the best modern adaptations of classic and iconic novels such as American Psycho (2000) and Phantom of the Opera (1925). The spotlight is also on South America this year, with Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) screening in conjunction with a panel discussion on Gabriel Garcia Márquez, the most influential South American writer in his time.
After the whole NLB fiasco a few months back, this year’s daring-themed festival may just provide some sort of comfort for local lit-fans bemoaning our literary arts scene. So keep your chins up and look forward to SWF2014 as a passionate celebration of the literary arts, as it seems to promise some really honest and provocative literary discussion, stripping important socio-political and gender issues to the bone. Are you ready to be inspired?
Singapore’s Writers Festival is happening 31 October to 9 November 2014. For more information and tickets, see website.
