Tête-à-tête with Singaporean literary doyenne Catherine Lim, pick the brains of a crime novelist and stock your libraries with local literature at the inaugural #BuySingLit movement
Checking out new cafes, blissing out at a spa and partying up a storm are great ways to spend the weekend, but sometimes, nothing beats a lil’ one-on-one time with a good ol’ paperback. So when we first heard about #BuySingLit, an entire weekend of activities dedicated to Singaporean literature, our inner bookworms were beyond thrilled!
Making its debut as the very first nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the reading and purchasing of local books, #BuySingLit brings together homegrown book publishers, retailers and literary non-profits. The event’s highlights range from creative writing workshops and theatre performances to guided tours with local authors and book fairs, so there’s something for both new and seasoned readers.
There are over 42 programmes lined up, so we don’t blame you if you find it hard to choose which ones to check out. To make it easier for you to decide, we’ve rounded up our top five picks.
Get in the mood for love (and heartbreak) with spoken word artists
Who needs a candlelight dinner when you can have a romantic date at the National Gallery? Prominent Singaporean poets such as Edwin Thumboo, Eric Tinsay Valles and Tan Chee Lay share poems about passion, intimate friendship, heartaches and everything else that makes love tick at this performance, accompanied by music and dance.
Love @ the Gallery, 25 February, 6pm to 7.30pm, National Gallery Singapore, #01-01, 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957.
Rub shoulders and pow-wow with local literary doyenne Catherine Lim
Tea with one of the pioneers of SingLit? Yes, please! Catherine Lim, who has penned over 20 books including novels, short stories and poems, chats about her writing journey in this intimate session at the Singapore Cricket Club. Now’s your chance to discuss your brewing literary ideas with one of Singapore’s best.
Afternoon Tea with Catherine Lim, 25 February, 3pm to 5pm, Singapore Cricket Club, Victoria Room, Connaught Drive, Singapore 179681.
Read poetry in the rain
Curated by local poet Pooja Nansi, excerpts of well-loved Singaporean poems are painted on sidewalks around the island with a specially formulated invisible and waterproof paint – so that they are revealed only during rainfall. Witness the poems magically come to life on a rainy day at the sidewalks of the Singapore Art Museum, the Esplanade, the Arts House and eventually the heartlands.
Singapore Poetry on the Sidewalk, from 20 Feb, Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555.
Take a walk down memory lane at this historical neighbourhood
Just ten minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city is this serene neighbourhood that has somehow maintained its old world charm. Stroll along the leafy lanes of Serangoon Gardens while uncovering the secrets of the estate with the authors of ‘Heritage Journeys: No Place Like Serangoon Gardens’, enjoy morning tea in an original 1950s home and learn to cook Hainanese chicken rice at the pride and joy of Serangoon Gardens, Pow Sing Restaurant.
Walk, Learn & Eat in Serangoon Gardens, 25-27 February and 4, 11, 18, 25 March, 8.30am-12.30pm, Serangoon Gardens Hawker Centre, 49A Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555945.
Support Singapore authors at a book fair
There won’t be any dancing at this festival – just lots of reading (and shopping). But hey, that’s loads of fun too! Find the latest local works from several publishers including Math Paper Press, Epigram Books and Ethos Books at this weekend-long book fair at Gillman Barracks.
Buy SingLit Festival, 25-26 February, 10am to 7pm, Gillman Barracks, 7 Lock Road, Singapore 108937.
#BuySingLit is happening from 24 to 26 February at various locations. More information here.
This article is sponsored by #BuySingLit.