The Straits Times’ arts team rounds up the best and worst of the annual literary affair.
The 27th edition of the Singapore Writers Festival concluded on Nov 17. Though a quieter affair, it offered great depth.Talks such as the one by South Korean translator Anton Hur contributed to serious conversations. PHOTO: MOONRISE STUDIO
Some of the most-hyped novelists in the Sinophone literary world – bar the big names from mainland China – were gathered as part of the star-studded Chinese-language curation at the 2024 SWF.It helped that all of them have at least one book translated into English, potentially also attracting a few English readers. – Shawn HooBest-selling South Korean novelist Baek Se-hee put in her first appearance at an international writers’ festival.
Festivalgoers could buy books, then join the line at the back entrance of Gallery II. SWF staff and volunteers performed crowd control, easing traffic and increasing efficiency by redirecting people to the correct queues when multiple signings were happening. – Charmaine LimMissing from the event were the usual array of tents and beanbags, which offered refuge from the elements and comfortable places to rest or read.
Another awkward space was outside the Cultural Medallion room in The Arts House, where several festivalgoers got lost on their way to the Screening Room. Previously a space for signings, it was empty save for some tables and chairs, and could have been maximised as a more comfortable seating area. – Charmaine LimThe festival bookstore this year was run by Book Bar. ST PHOTO: SHAWN HOOIt was not for lack of trying, says Mr Alex Chua, co-owner of BookBar.
The text could not even muster a cogent argument as to why Dan Ying is regarded as a pioneering figure, preferring limp descriptions of how she penned verses on love, tragedy and life encounters. “My favourite part was the song they played when Geronimo Stilton entered. I did some of the dancing, but I was shy. I want to tell the Stiltons that I liked the show and have been waiting a long time to meet them. My favourite book is Mouse Vs Wild because it is very adventurous.”
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