Singapore Writers Festival 2024 Kicks Off, Celebrating “In Our Nature”

The highly anticipated Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) 2024 is officially underway, running from 8 to 17 November. The opening ceremony at The Arts House featured remarks from Festival Director Mr. Yong Shu Hoong and Guest-of-Honour Ms. Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry. The ceremony captivated attendees with a soulful performance by Liong Kit Yeng, inspired by SWF 2024 Literary Pioneer Dan Ying’s powerful poem, 《伞内、伞外》. Accompanied by vocalist Tan Yu Xin and Liong Lit Yeng on piano, this rearranged piece marked the official start of SWF’s 27th edition.

The event saw an impressive turnout, including SWF 2024 Literary Pioneer Dan Ying, her spouse Professor Wong Yoon Wah, along with representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, the National Arts Council, and SWF partners, as well as celebrated writers from Singapore and abroad.

Prior to the ceremony, SMS Ms. Low Yen Ling toured A World of Words – Celebrating Dan Ying’s Literary Legacy, a bilingual exhibition honoring Dan Ying’s literary impact. Organized by Arts House Limited and commissioned by the National Arts Council, the festival explores the theme In Our Nature through an exciting lineup of over 200 programs, featuring 300 distinguished speakers and presenters.