Beyond celebrating the pioneer of Singapore theatre, this year’s Literary Pioneers Exhibition shines a spotlight on pioneering Malay women writers from the 19th century in Riau, to mid-20th century Malaya, to modern day Malay literature. Witness the intertwining stories and work of Malay literary pioneers who emerged as voices of resistance against their own uniquely fraught political and relational landscapes. This is also Singapore’s first exhibition celebrating the contributions of our Malay female literary pioneers speaking up for women’s education, social equality and the marginalised in society through the spoken and written word.
6 Nov Sun, 4.30pm
Festival Pass
Living Room @The Arts House
Much of contemporary Tamil fiction in this region centres itself around memories of the Second World War, such as the renowned Puyalile Oru Thoni by Pa Singaram. But as a timely response to the Festival theme IF, three local Tamil writers Hemalatha, Pon Sundararaju and Rama Suresh gather to discuss the possibilities of speculative fiction in Singapore Tamil literature. If the Second World War had never happened, what shape would local Tamil historical fiction have taken?
13 Nov Sun, 2.00pm – 3.00pm
$30
Victoria Theatre
Ted Chiang has won a clutch of awards (four Hugos, four Nebula and six Locus and counting), and his works have been translated into over twenty languages. In this year’s Festival Keynote, Chiang will explores our abiding fascination with time travel, approaching the topic from both its place in classics from H.G. Wells to Back to the Future, as well as examining where the science is on the the subject.
4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 Nov, 9pm – 9.30pm
Festival Pass
Meeting point at The Arts House foyer
Curated by former Festival Director, Yeow Kai Chai, Secret Sayang Session is a reprise of a beloved programme from its 2015 edition, where participants spend 30 minutes in an intimate one-to-one conversation with featured festival authors. The location and identity of the writers are kept secret, so get yourself ready for a pleasant surprise. Spaces are limited and open 20 minutes before, on a first come first serve basis.
12 Nov Sat, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Ticketed – $40
Victoria Theatre