SUMMARY: The Singapore Writers Festival 2023, themed “Plot Twist,” offers a diverse program of literary events, including hip-hop’s cultural impact, historical tours, surprise topics, and international speakers. The 26th edition of the Festival will take place from November 17 to 26, 2023. Get your tickets here.

The Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) returns for its 26th edition from November 17 to 26, 2023, promising a literary rollercoaster of shocks and unexpected connections. “Plot Twist,” this year’s theme, promises to disrupt conventions and bring together seemingly unrelated components in a series of unique and genre-defying programmes.

SWF 2023 enables both seasoned festival-goers and beginners to explore the written and spoken word in innovative ways, with approximately 200 in-person programmes and over 250 local and international presenters. Pooja Nansi, the festival’s longest-serving director, reflects on the unusual obstacles she faced during her tenure, culminating in the theme “Plot Twist,” which highlights the festival’s adventurous attitude and commitment to reaching different audiences.

“With most of my tenure spent navigating unprecedented changes due to the pandemic, my time as Festival Director has been atypical, to say the least. Throughout the challenges and bouts of uncertainty, I have been inspired by how the Festival team and the wider literary community have continued to show up year after year for the Festival, be it virtually, physically, or both. I thought it would be apt to conclude my chapter as Festival Director with the theme, “Plot Twist”, which shows our emboldened spirit as we become more daring with the areas of interests and conversations that the Festival engages with. By expanding the playing field of what the Festival addresses, we hope more audiences can find a common ground with the literary arts, in all its diverse and multilingual forms.”

Wheelchair-friendly venues, assistance dog-friendly locations, sign language interpreters, and note-taking services are provided upon request.

Here are some Singapore Writers Festival 2023 highlights to look forward to:

1. 50 Years of Bars, Flows, and Beats: This program celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, exploring its connection to literature and culture through conversations, performances, and more.
   .
2. In A Tiny Room Series: An intimate literary evening with esteemed guests speakers such as hip hop historian Jeff Chang, and Viet Thanh Nguyen respectively at one of Singapore’s beautiful hidden spots.
   .
3. Unexpected Pairings: Embrace the element of surprise with a wildcard program featuring secret topics, mystery writers, and unpredictable outcomes.
   .
4. Community Festival Karaoke: Join writers in a melodic close to the festival, singing songs you might not expect them to love.
   .
5. Literary Pioneer Exhibition: Spotlighting Goh Poh Seng, a pioneering figure in Singapore’s arts and culture scene, this exhibition explores his rebel spirit and groundbreaking legacy.
   .
6. Guest Curated Programs: Explore Chinese, Malay, and Tamil language programs led by guest curators, delving into unexpected connections and diverse perspectives.
   .
7. Spotlight on Asian-American Authors: Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, this program highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in the arts, featuring notable authors like Viet Thanh Nguyen and Jeff Chang.
   .
8. Southeast Asian Focus: Subverting expectations, this program challenges narratives with discussions on humor in storytelling, translation as empowerment, and more.
   .
9. Youth Fringe and SWF Playground: Nurture a love for literature in young minds with interactive programs and family-friendly activities.
   .
10. Open Call for Program Submissions: This year, SWF presents 40 shortlisted community-led initiatives, showcasing the vitality of Singapore’s arts and literary community.
    .
11. International Headliners: A stellar lineup of international speakers, including Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Lemn Sissay, and more, promises to make SWF 2023 unforgettable.
    .
12. Early Bird Savings: Don’t miss out on the 20% Early Bird Savings from September 25 to October 25, 2023, when purchasing Festival Passes.

The Singapore Writers Festival 2023 promises to be an unusual and thought-provoking literary journey full of surprises and significant connections. For additional information and ticket information, click here.

Submit your press releases here to reach our 10,000 monthly readers.

People are also reading: 

Boosting Local Writers: How #BookTokMalaysia Amplifies Voices in 5 Ways

Malaysia’s Past and Present in Tale of The Dreamer’s Son by Preeta Samarasan

How To Write Compelling Historical Fiction, 5 Important Tips by Author, Sandeep Ray

Malaysian-Born’s Children Fiction On Dementia Is 2022’s Best Kids Book In Singapore

All images were sourced from Singapore Writers Festival / Facebook.