Singapore Writers Festival 2019: Festival Debate – This House Believes That Men Are Ruining Feminism

In the grand tradition of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF), the ever-popular Festival Debate segment saw a full house at the Arts House Chamber, a historically appropriate venue (as a former space for Parliament to debate policies) to stage it. While still ostensibly taking on the same format as previous editions, something about this edition felt somewhat different, in part perhaps because of the motion … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: Festival Debate – This House Believes That Men Are Ruining Feminism

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: On the Nature of Language with Marlon James’ SWF Prologue and Pico Iyer’s Beyond Borders, Beyond Words

Opening weekend of the 2019 Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) has kicked off to a great start – helmed by some key anchor events and highlights, it’s no surprise to see various venues filled and buzzing with activity as the Civic District came awash with literary activity and a swarm of local and international writers gathering in Singapore. Perhaps one of the most anticipated authors of … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: On the Nature of Language with Marlon James’ SWF Prologue and Pico Iyer’s Beyond Borders, Beyond Words

The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Since the last time we spoke to author Akshita Nanda, her life has taken quite the turn. No longer an arts correspondent with The Straits Times, Akshita has gone back to hitting the books, not only pursuing a Masters in International Affairs but also getting ready to release her sophomore novel – Beauty Queens of Bishan. From its blurb alone, Beauty Queens of Bishan already feels … Continue reading The Banter: An Interview with Akshita Nanda, Author of Beauty Queens of Bishan

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: The Festival Opens + A Bigger Party Than Expected (Review)

The 22nd edition of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF), was officially opened at the National Gallery Singapore earlier this evening by Guest of Honour, Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The opening ceremony saw Ms Sim reflecting on the literary arts as an important expression of the Singaporean identity, and how the … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: The Festival Opens + A Bigger Party Than Expected (Review)

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Bigger Party Than Expected (Preview)

In celebration of Eurasian literary pioneer Rex Shelley, the Singapore Writers Festival is once again collaborating with the Arts House in bringing festival goers a wild night of fun and performances around the entire building with A Bigger Party Than Expected. Taking inspiration from Rex Shelley’s seminal novel The Shrimp People, The Arts House is set to transform into a Eurasian wedding, as we watch characters Bertha … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Bigger Party Than Expected (Preview)

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: An Interview with Festival Director Pooja Nansi

Poet Pooja Nansi has some big shoes to fill after taking on the role as director of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF). Following Yeow Kai Chai’s departure, the fiesty, spoken word poet has since taken over and brings her own brand and ideas of what the SWF should look like to this year’s edition. But speaking to her over coffee, Pooja is humble about this … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: An Interview with Festival Director Pooja Nansi

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Greater Focus on Language with A Language of Our Own (Preview)

The 22nd annual Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) returns this November with the theme “A Language of Our Own”. Now headed by new Festival Director Pooja Nansi, this edition seeks to examine the role of languages in the formation of identities and communities at a time when the world is becoming increasingly globalised, yet fractured, bringing together a host of influential writers from both Singapore and … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Greater Focus on Language with A Language of Our Own (Preview)

Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Language of Our Own (Preview)

The Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) is back this new November for its 22nd edition, welcoming on board poet Pooja Nansi as Festival Director, following Yeow Kai Chai’s exit. This year’s festival takes on the theme of A Language of Our Own, set to explore the role of language in the expression of identities and formation of communities in the 21st century. Some of the biggest … Continue reading Singapore Writers Festival 2019: A Language of Our Own (Preview)

A Boey and His Dog: In Conversation with Daniel Boey on Rescue Dogs, Pet Care and New Book ‘We Adopted!’

As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. But for Singapore’s ‘Godfather of Fashion’ Daniel Boey, Leia is more than that – she’s family. More importantly, Leia isn’t just any dog Daniel walked into a store one day and ‘purchased’, but a dog with a tragic past who was rescued from a pet farm, in need of love, care and rehabilitation. “When … Continue reading A Boey and His Dog: In Conversation with Daniel Boey on Rescue Dogs, Pet Care and New Book ‘We Adopted!’

Preview: Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) 2019

This June, the Singapore Art Book Fair (SGBAF) returns for one weekend as art lovers and especially art book lovers head down to Gillman Barracks to stock up on their collection. The sixth edition of this free event is open to the public and features a selection of art books, art catalogues, monographs, zines, and printed ephemera, as over 80 local and international exhibitors showcase their selections of … Continue reading Preview: Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) 2019