Cover Baba Nyonya Literary Festival returns for its third edition, celebrating Peranakan literature
Baba Nyonya Literary Festival returns for its third edition, celebrating Peranakan literature
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The upcoming festival celebrates Peranakan literature with engaging discussions, captivating performances and more
Singapore’s cultural calendar is heating up in the second half of the year, with one of the most anticipated events being the Baba Nyonya Literary Festival.
Returning for its third edition on July 27 and 28, the festival promises an immersive exploration of Peranakan literature and culture. The festival will be graced by notable figures including minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong as guest of honour and president of Singapore Management University (SMU) professor Lily Kong.
If you’ve managed to secure tickets to the highly anticipated weekend, here’s what you can expect.
Read more: Why Peranakan food is so challenging to cook, according to Peranakan experts
Above Acclaimed local chef, Violet Oon, speaking at Baba Nyonya Literary Festival 2022
Acclaimed local chef, Violet Oon, speaking at Baba Nyonya Literary Festival 2022
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Hosted by The Peranakan Association Singapore (TPAS), anticipate a curated lineup including panel discussions and readings by an array of Peranakan and non-Peranakan writers. Some authors to look out for include Agak-Agak, Chukop Rasa’s Gavin Koh, When a Flower Dies’s Josephine Chia and Our Amazing Pioneers’s Shawn Seah.
From the lyrical cadence of pantuns (poetic quatrains) to the sharp wit of baba patois, the event promises to showcase the linguistic dexterity that characterises Peranakan culture and heritage.
Above This year’s culturally immersive festival has also introduced multiple new initiatives
This year’s culturally immersive festival has also introduced multiple new initiatives
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This year’s culturally immersive festival has also introduced multiple initiatives. In hopes of fostering a new generation of literary enthusiasts, the festival is opening its doors to student participation—look forward to readings by students from Singapore Chinese Girls’ School and St Joseph’s Institution. It has also hosted its inaugural writing competition that garnered widespread enthusiasm and participation. Winners will be announced at the event itself.
Paying tribute to the power of the Peranakan pen with an exciting lineup of performances and immersive readings, the two-day festival is sure to be a memorable one.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
