CONTENTS 2 4 6 Forewords SWF Commission SWF Stage 16 18 22 Exhibitions Programmes: Programmes: 4 November 5–6 November 64 84 126 Programmes: Programmes: Country Focus: 7–11 November 12–13 Novmber Japan 131 139 193 Malay Conference Authors and SWF Programmes and Literary Pioneers Presenters for the Deaf 198 200 203 Visitor information Festival Map Acknowledgments INFORMATION IS CORRECT AS OF 5 OCTOBER. REFER TO SINGAPOREWRITERSFESTIVAL.COM FOR LATEST UPDATES. LEGEND Marquee 101 Talks, Workshops Family-friendly events events & Masterclasses (spot the events in different colours for easy reference!) Transcending Fun & Surprising Language and Genre Pop-ups FOREWORD The ritual is familiar to Singaporeans. Standing at a school assembly or a public function, you’d sing the lyrics of community tunes. They include 'Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng' (Voices From The Heart), 'Munnaeru Vaalibaa' (Forward O Youth) and yes, 'Rasa Sayang' (Loving Feeling). Memories of belting out that last song welled up while my team and I were planning this year’s Singapore Writers Festival. But do we really know what the song means? Are we paying lip service to multi-lingualism, of getting to know each other? That is why we chose Sayang as the theme for this year’s festival. Found in Malay, Tagalog, Sundanese and various languages of the Malay Archipelago, the word ‘sayang’ means love and tenderness. Significantly, it also refers to regret Yeow Kai Chai and pity, delivered with a wistful sigh. We savour the nuances, its shades of loves Festival Director and losses. The word provides the guiding principle for our programming: What do we love and what sacrifices have we made? We are heartened, for instance, that you have embraced our inter-disciplinary approach last year, and we continue to do so this year, with productions, collaborations and lectures. We think you’ll love Between The Lines: Rant And Rave II, a theatrical production which tells the story of Singapore literature. We also team up with Berita Harian as they rally some of Singapore’s literary luminaries. Deepening our SWF Class programming, we have launched a new Classroom series of talks on wide-ranging topics such as football and the link between poetry and fishing. Look out too for the new Sequential Arts focus, highlighting the rise of graphic novelists and comic artists. Lastly, we are chuffed by the writers and speakers we have this year, who will rue on matters personal and communal, national and universal. We like to think we have created a global village of sorts, with thinkers coming together, sharing thoughts, hanging out with one another. SINGAPORE WRITERS FESTIVAL 2016 That is the ultimate connection we look for this year. See you around in the next 10 days. 02 FOREWORD After the celebratory mood of the Golden Jubilee, and following the passing of two truly historic figures—Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr S R Nathan—2016 offers a chance for reflection. Mr Lee and Nathan penned substantial memoirs, in part because they both understood that deeds (and lessons to be learned) live on in words. This year’s theme, Sayang, offers an affectionate, tender and personal framing for the 19th edition of the Festival; a way of looking back on paths traversed, and forward to the road ahead. Poignantly, we may recall what we have lost along the way. Confidently, we may affirm what we have gained. Love and loss, desire and affection, such feelings animate our explorations of past and present, of personal trajectories of triumph or failure, and of history and the broader world. Philip Jeyaretnam Whether you are a lover of books or a follower of news and contemporary opinion, Chairman, SWF 2016 presents a wide array of programmes, ranging from panel discussions Steering Committee about Singapore and the South-east Asian region to hard-hitting talks about global affairs. Don’t miss respected literary figures Gwee Li Sui and Boey Kim Cheng who will speak of the future of Singapore that is yet to be written, of a literature still uncharted. From the international stage, join the audience for Jonathan Friesen’s lecture, 'Creating a Society of Empathy', or listen to Atia Abawi’s personal experiences as a war correspondent and her timely analysis of the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East. The festival continues to broaden its multi-lingual, multi-disciplinary approach. There’s Cache, the musicians-writers collaboration co-presented with The Esplanade; as well as a special performance by television and theatre actress Siti Khalijah in a script written by Alfian Sa’at. Directed by Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, Siti will share her literary and theatrical inspirations in An Actress Prepares. There’s much to love and savour indeed—enjoy serendipitous encounters with more than 300 authors and speakers, and events where you can imbibe the beauty of 4–13 NOVEMBER 2016 words across all art forms. 03 SWF2016 COMMISSION–GENGGAMAN SAYANG (LOVE'S GRASP) NOOR HASNAH ADAM MOTHER My love, learn from the learned. Share with those who Sayang, berguru pada yang tahu. Berkongsi pada yang want to learn too. Surrender to the One. As the Malay mahu. Berserah pada yang Satu. Kata orang Melayu, saying goes, be someone dignified, not loathed. kalau besar nanti jadi orang, jangan jadi hantu. When you were born, your tiny fingers reached for Sewaktu sayang dilahirkan, jari-jemari mungilmu my hand, and together, we made a strong bond. Your mencapai jemari ibu lantas menggenggam kuat menjadi hands refused to let go. It was a beautiful gesture. And satu. Bagai tak mahu melepaskan. Indah. Naluri ibu it filled me with maternal joy. terus terpaut bahagia. As you grew up, your grip loosened. My heart began Semakin Sayang beranjak dewasa, jemari itu turut to worry. membesar. Genggaman jemari semakin longgar. Hati ibu semakin bimbang. My love, those fingers keep secrets. Place your right hand on the right side of your face. Notice its position. Sayang, jari-jemari itu memiliki rahsia. Letakkanlah tangan kanan ke bahagian kanan muka. Lihatlah di The thumb falls on the ear. While firm and solid, it mana letak jatuhnya. does not have the reach of the other fingers. Therefore, not everything we hear should reach our ears. Listen Jari jempol jatuh di telinga. Walaupun jempol kukuh dan only to the good. padat, tidak sepanjang jari-jemari yang lain. Ini bererti tidak semua patut kita dengar. Dengarlah hanya yang The forefinger lands on your temple, exhorting us to baik-baik. think with a sound mind. Jari telunjuk di pelipis kepala, adalah petunjuk yang As for the middle finger pointing at the eye, it jelas menyuruh kita berfikir menggunakan akal. symbolises that we often see vices around us. So do not be deceived. Jari hantu di mata, adalah lambang kejahatan yang banyak berpunca daripada mata. Jangan terpedaya. The ring finger, which is on the nose, encourages us to distinguish between scent and stench. May you Jari manis di hidung, menggalakkan kita tahu mana choose what’s right. yang harum dan busuk. Supaya bijak memilih jalan yang benar. Lastly, the little finger on the lips reminds us to speak wisely. After all, much ill-health and many broken Sementara jari kelengkeng di mulut, mengingatkan kita relationships are caused by a blabbermouth. “If supaya kecilkan penggunaan mulut. Banyak kerosakan there is nothing good to be said, it is better hubungan dan gangguan kesihatan bermula daripada to remain silent.” mulut. 'Jika tidak ada yang baik-baik untuk dikatakan, baiklah diam sahaja.' The elders have lived life. Their reproach is love. Their advice is affection. Orang tua banyak makan garam. Setiap teguran itu, tanda sayang. Setiap nasihat itu, tanda kasih. My love, should my grip loosen when I’m gone, hold tightly to my Sayangku, andai genggaman jari ibu telah words… so that our children and hilang, pesanan ini harus dipegang… their children will grow up right. agar anak cucu menjadi orang. SWF2016 COMMISSION–GENGGAMAN SAYANG (LOVE'S GRASP) NUR AISYAH LYANA DAUGHTER Ibu, dahulu kuhanya segumpal darah; wujudku Mother, I was once a speck of blood until mentah, dagingku putih. Semakin aku genggam you brought me into existence. The more I jemarimu, ibuku guruku, semakin kujadikan teguran grasped your fingers, my mother, my mentor, pahitmu pedoman hidupku. the more your tough words guided me. Ibu, kini diriku beranjak dewasa; terlalu banyak Mother, now that I’ve grown up, your advice pesananmu. Leteranmu laksana pepasir bertaburan overwhelms me. Your words are like sand di pantai, kadangkala ditelan ombak khayalan, strewn on the beach, washed over by waves kadangkala terdampar semula bercanggah kata. of fantasy. Sometimes, they hit back at Jurang generasi kita berbeza. Namun, kufaham ibu you, carried by waves crashing along cuma bimbang. Semakin dewasa, semakin longgar the shore. genggaman jemariku. We may think differently, but I know Yakinlah ibu, jari-jemari kita masih lagi terjalin. you care about me. The older I am, the more I loosen my grip on you. Jari jempolku tanda setuju: nasihat mutiaramu mendendang pendengaran, semakin perlu dalam dunia But have faith, Mother. Our remaja saban hari. Kini kutampak sendiri gejala maksiat fingers are still intertwined. bermaharajalela. My thumb says I agree with you. Jari telunjuk menuding silap. Di media sosial, aib I now realise that your words of terbuka menyingkap rahsia. Hanya akal paksi wisdom are vital in my teenage years, kebenaran. Sebelum menuding, baik bercermin. as I start witnessing vice around me. Jari hantu menconteng arang dalam pandangan My forefinger is quick to judge. In social kepalsuan. Loloskan diri ke dunia hiburan. Dandankan media, it is easy to uncover a person’s tubuh dengan tatu berseni. Legakan dahaga dengan disgrace. Only a discerning mind can tell bebuih arak kebebasan.