Events we're excited about at new literary fest BuySingLit
Here’s another event that will tickle the local bibliophile’s fancy. Singaporean publishers, book retailers and literary non-profits have launched a new literary festival called #BuySingLit in a bid to encourage more Singaporeans to embrace local literature.
From 24 to 26 Feb, look out for more than 40 literary programmes catered to all ages, such as book fairs, guided tours, interactive shows and even book treasure hunts.
Here are some of the programmes that we’re excited about:
The Whispering Wallpaper
Plenty of photo and interactive opportunities at The Whispering Wallpaper where you will find a collage of quirky illustrations created by local authors and illustrators. Organised by creative studio Paperplane, here is where you can listen to audio excerpts from a picture book by holding up a “listening cup” device on a wall.
24 to 26 Feb
Plaza Singapura
Admission: Free
Singapore Poetry on the Sidewalks
Literary non-profit Sing Lit Station takes local poetry to the streets with a unique public installation inspired by Boston’s Raining Poetry project. Look out for paint excerpts of Singaporean poems, curated by local poet Pooja Nansi, on sidewalks as you walk around Singapore Art Museum and the heartlands. The first phase of the project has already been executed at the Esplanade and the Arts House.
From 20 Feb
Singapore Art Museum, Esplanade, Arts House and heartlands
Admission: Free
Play with The Crane and the Crab, a creative writing workshop
Theatre Today pays homage to the late president S R Nathan by using a picture book he authored, called The Crane and the Crab, as the basis for this creative writing workshop. For one and a half hours, you will get to explore different forms of writing such as haiku and prose monologues.
24 to 26 Feb
West Coast Condominium, Sommerville Park Condominium, Preston Road and Bedok T-Net Club
Admission: Free (Pre-registration required)
Walk, Learn & Eat in Serangoon Gardens
What’s there at Serangoon Gardens besides Chomp Chomp Food Centre? Tonnes. Creative education specialist Janus Education takes you on a heritage tour of this understated neighbourhood starting with a morning tea in an original 1950s home and ending the tour at an emblematic Serangoon Gardens restaurant.
Selected dates between 25 Feb and 25 March, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Serangoon Gardens
Admission: $30 (includes a copy of the book “Heritage Journeys: No Place Like Serangoon Gardens”); 20 pax per session
Walking with Murderers in Sexy Singapore
It’s a tour of Singapore’s popular tourist attractions like you’ve never experienced before. This one-hour tour led by local writer Neil Humphreys will take you to Fullerton Hotel, Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands, among others that have been featured in his Inspector Low crime series. He will also share with you his inspirations and who the characters in his books were based on.
By the end of the tour, you might not be able to see Singapore’s glitzy tourist attractions in the same light anymore.
25 Feb, 10am to 11:30am
The Fullerton Hotel
Admission: Free
Buy SingLit Festival
Here’s a good chance to stock up on your local literature. Local bookstore BooksActually has roped in local publishers Pustaka National, Crimson Earth, Lingzi Media and Math Paper Press for a book fair at Gillman Barracks. They’ve also lined up talks by members of the local literary scene to keep you occupied in between browsing.
25 to 26 Feb, 10am to 7pm
Gillman Barracks, Block 7
Admission: Free
SingLit Story: How not to write like a robot or zombie
Learn to become the author of your own Sherlock Holmes or Train to Busan-inspired story by joining local authors Don Bosco (“Sherlock Hong” series) and Nicholas Yong (“Land of the Meat Munchers” and “Track Faults and Other Glitches”) as they teach you the fundamentals of fiction writing, creating compelling characters and building a rich story world.
26 Feb, 10am to 12pm
Bishan Library, Programme Zone (Level 2)
Admission: $10
More details on the website: https://buysinglit.sg/
