Uniting Cultures and Strengthening Communities through the Literary Arts

Speech by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade & Industry, for the Opening of Singapore Writers Festival 2024 on 8 November 2024

1. We are very delighted to join you for the 27th edition of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF), organised by Arts House Limited and commissioned by my colleagues from the National Arts Council.  
2. This year's SWF invites us to get back to basics with the theme, In Our Nature. 
3. Festival Director Mr Yong Shu Hoong and his team encourage us to reflect on what’s truly in our nature – as humans, as writers and readers, and even as global citizens – navigating the world that we live in today.
4. The theme is both profound and timely, and it has resonated with many.
1. This year, the SWF received works from around 300 presenters and writers. This is an increase from last year’s 260. Among them are many home-grown literary talents, and we are so proud of you
2. We look forward to the very rich discussions and meaningful conversations unfolding at SWF over the course of this 10 days.
5. In its 27th year, the SWF continues to engage and represent our diverse communities. I am very glad that the Festival supports ground-up initiatives like the Open Call, inviting programming ideas from a broader range of partners. This is how we continue to future-proof ourselves, and that it is really a premier festival in Asia. 
1. Through SWF, members of underrepresented communities can have an equal voice to share their stories and experiences with a broader audience through literature. Their voices bring fresh perspectives that enrich the festival’s cultural tapestry and also thereby foster a more inclusive, empathetic literary landscape.
2. This year’s Festival line-up features personalities with diverse backgrounds, from mental health advocates to those who had been incarcerated and people suffering from chronic illnesses.
3. This diversity really reflects the power of literature as a nurturing space for exploration, as well as expression, and underscores the role of the arts in building a connected and inclusive society
6. Today’s writers and emerging talents stand on the shoulders of our literary pioneers. The Literary Pioneer Series has provided an excellent opportunity for our literary community to honour these foundational figures and their invaluable contributions. 
7. This year, the Festival celebrates Singaporean poet Mdm Lew Poo Chan (刘宝珍), better known by her pseudonym, Dan Ying (淡莹). She is a very versatile poet.   
1. Dan Ying was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1996 and is widely respected for her poetry within Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
2. Her work is celebrated for its graceful simplicity and profound meaning. She believes that "a good poem can live forever"; underscoring the enduring power of literature to transcend boundaries.
3. Dan Ying’s contribution to Singapore’s literary scene is really a testament to how language can inspire deep reflection on life, nature, and the human spirit. It makes us pause and reflect, which is necessary in today’s fast-changing world.
4. The Festival honours Dan Ying through this programme: “诗/思/丝路——邂逅淡莹的诗情画意 From Muse to Music: Encountering Dan Ying’s World Through Music”, as presented with our partner, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
5. In addition, the Festival team has curated a bilingual exhibition that offers a rich exploration of Dan Ying’s influential works and poetic journey across the decades. Her journey is not just in Asia, but all the way to the US and back. This exhibition, debuting here this evening, will travel to locations like NTU Chinese Heritage Centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, as well as Our Tampines Hub till 28 February 2025, allowing more people, young and old, to experience Dan Ying’s work.
8. Through the SWF, we celebrate not only the craft of writing but also the shared stories that connect and inspire us all.
9. I think we could all agree that Singapore's multiculturalism shines through the Festival’s multilingual programming, encouraging cross-cultural learning, appreciation and collaboration. 
1. Events like “Poetic Tongues: Traditional Poetry in Chinese, Malay and Tamil” showcase the intersection of traditional poetry across languages.
2. This is important as it reminds us that while languages may differ, common themes of humanity and connection unite us all. Even more so for all of us here in Singapore, as we prepare for the commemoration and celebration of SG60 next year.
10. So here, I want to represent my colleagues in MCCY and NAC, to commend SWF’s commitment to making the literary arts accessible to everyone.
1. By partnering with venues across the island, like Our Tampines Hub, the Festival really engages residents from all walks of life beyond these 10 days, to travel to the neighbourhood centres.
2. The Festival engages our diverse community with inclusive programming for all ages—from young readers to active seniors. I hope that through the SWF more of the younger generations will take to reading.
3. By showcasing local and international voices, the Festival promotes cross-cultural exchanges and enriches our literary ecosystem.
11. I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to Festival Director, Shu Hoong, for this labour of love over 12 months, the SWF organising team, contributors, writers, and the Arts House Limited for bringing this year’s Festival to life. 
12. We all look forward to enjoying this year’s programmes, and I wish you a wonderful 10 days ahead.