Singapore Writers Festival 2021
Cover Singapore Writers Festival 2021

This year’s Singapore Writers Festival is all about guilty pleasures, and we know what that entails—a 10-day event spotlighting our indulgences, once under wraps but now all in the open

It’s no secret that we all like to give ourselves a carte blanche occasionally by binging on the latest Netflix series instead of working on a deadline or ordering fast food when there’s dinner at home. It’s human nature, and you can learn a lot about a person based on their so-called ‘guilty pleasures’, also the theme for this year's Singapore Writers Festival. So get ready to get a lot more personal with your guilty pleasures, as we’ve rounded up some not-to-miss events, tours, panel talks and Q&A with your favourite writers to tickle your fancy and leave you wanting more.

1. Love & Thirst Traps

Love in the age of social media and dating applications might be hard to navigate for an old soul. So, learn a few tricks of the trade during Thirst Trap Poetry, an online and in-person event on November 13 to excite your new-age whims.

For all you timeless romantics who still hang onto the power of the written word to profess your undying love, head onto Better Than Sexting: Love Letters. This online programme on November 8 dives into some of the steamiest and most heartfelt of letters in the history of literature, and some original works read by festival writers.

Ever had a crush on a celebrity and have it unfolded into secret daydreams? Join the panel discussion for Celebrity Crushes: Blurring the Lines Between Fact and Fiction on November 9, where you can attend the physical event, or tune in to the online session.  

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2. On The Big Screen 

In case Bridgerton was your guilty pleasure, join the other historical romance fans for the Event of the Season show on November 7. Bestselling author Julia Quinn discusses the novels—and of course the romances—and the most fun she’s ever had writing.

Author of Eat Pray Love and her latest title, City of Girls, Elizabeth Gilbert shares how to be unencumbered by shame or bad decisions in Bold Women on November 12.

The popular makeover series, Queer Eye, shows how we can be true to ourselves while elevating our taste and mastering the French tuck. Fashion designer and series star Tan France graces us with Darling, You're Fabulous!—An Hour with Tan France on November 13, teaching us how to use fashion as a weapon to heal, outside in.

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3. Your Favourite ‘F’ Word: Food, Fashion & Fitness

Does your wealth dictate your health? Food Privilege unravels the correlations between spending more money on ‘healthier’ food options, and how we can strike the perfect balance on November 14.

The pandemic forced us to put our health first and do away with routines as we knew them. But what about the fitness industry trying to stay afloat? The Future of Fitness is an online programme on November 5 discussing what’s in store for innovating fitness for individuals and communities.

We’re learning every day about the impact of our actions on the planet, but did you know keeping up with fashion’s fleeting trends is a part of it? Learn more about fashion consumption trends in Singapore during Fashion for Good on November 14.

Fashion is a tool of self-expression, and contemporary performance artist Rizman Putra celebrates being your most authentic self through multi-coloured tights, neon lights and a whole lot of camp. Catch OBIT: The Art of Being on November 5, in-person or online.

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4. Living On Fear Street

Ever wanted to visit the notorious crime sites splayed across newspapers and on late-night horror shows? Well, crime-lovers, gather round for Singapore Crimes: A Tour, both physical and digital tours throughout the event dates.

The nail-biting, the suspenseful cliff-hangers, and the adrenaline rush from coming out of a horror story alive are what makes the thriller genre so enticing. Get to relive the rush with the online programme R.L. Stine: Beware or Be Scared on November 7, with the Festival Pass Plus.

Not being able to predict what will happen next is the sign of a climax that you won’t forget. Learn more about coming up with unique plot twists and how to leave a reader mind-blown, during the online programme Plot Twist or Cop Out? on November 6.

Ever wonder why Asian horror stories are so much harder to get through, especially at night? It’s probably because of all the stories we grew up listening to, about evil spirits lurking in trees or on desolate highways. Explore more of these urban legends and folklore with Beware the Smell of Frangipani at Night, online on November 14.

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5. Superstars In Every Language

Korean pop culture has seeped into every crevice, and the ever-growing fanbase of K-Pop means it’s here to stay. Join the conversation with How You Like That: Unpacking K-Pop, online on November 6.

Actress and dancer since age 4, Sridevi, was popularly known as the “first female superstar” of Indian cinema for making her mark on a male-dominated industry. Learn about her rise to superstardom, and fond memories by fans during the programme on November 14, Forget Her Not: Sridevi—The Eternal Screen Goddess.

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More information on the Singapore Writers Festival 2021 tickets can be found on Sistic. The phygital event will take place from 5 to 14 November.

 

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