Adjusted the date for the flights so that I could catch some panels at the Singapore Writers Festival 2012 (SWF 2012) before heading out of town. I wanted to hear Jeet Thayil and Marina Mahathir. Themed 'Origins' this year, the programmes seek to focus on "story-telling, biographies, and historical fiction and traces the source of creative inspiration - what is at the heart of moving narratives, riveting characters and memorable turns-of-phrase. / At the same time, in a world of mass reproductions, new technologies and endless iterations of old stories, we reflect on what is truly original in the first place."
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#1 Panel 'Counter Texts - Facts of Fiction': Troy Chin, Brian Castro and Rosaly Puthucheary (Moderated by Carolyn Camoens)
Stumbled into the one of the first sessions of the festival at 10am without coffee. It grew colder and colder. At least I was still awake. The panel shared about their thoughts about writing from experiences, childhood memories, beginning from what felt comfortable and familiar before branching out into new territories.
Novels are rooted in facts and truths, even as they're turned into fiction. I struggled a little to understand that, simply because of my preference for the genre of fantasy. It takes years to build believable worlds, and fantastical realms. But yes, I recognize that many of the characters are reflections or siphoned off from modern-day stereotypes and often, are caricatures of familiar humans.
#2 Panel 'The Peranakan Wields the Pen': Desmond Sim, Josephine Chia and Walter Woon (Moderated by Phan Ming Yen)
At some point, the discussion moved on from how the Peranakan voice shines through in novels through the use of language and cadences, to preserving the essence of Peranakan culture and traditions. The audience also provided an alternative view that there is now a contemporary Peranakan voice compared to the nostalgia the panelists feel, and their view that theirs is the "last generation of true blue Peranakans". That statement, is being challenged and modified, evolving through the years. But the dilution, I feel, remains inevitable.
On many points, I agree with the sentiment of "orang cina bukan cina". I could relate to that. Nurses, service staff and random strangers often talked to my grandparents from both sides in Mandarin or dialect. I never understood that (till much later) because neither set of grandparents understood those. They spoke only English and Malay or Indonesian.
But yes, through the writing, I remember a lot of my childhood, and I would be able to know the details in the story that would discern if the writer grew up with Peranakan ways that don't just revolve around clothes and food.
#3 Panel: 'The City as a Character': Jeet Thayil, Eric Tinsay Valles and Dave Chua (Moderated by Aaron Lee)
Dave Chua pointed out how many cities look and feel the same nowadays, especially with the many outlets of Starbucks and McDs. The unique characteristics of a certain city are lost under the veneer of globalization.
Eric Tinsay Valles found a common thread of homeless people abound in cities, and many rummaging through dustbins to find recyclables to earn a quick buck. A resident of Singapore for more than a decade, he has seen many elderly folks go through dustbins in the heartlands too. Those images inspired much of his writing.
Jeet Thayil stated his preference for living in a city. "Some cities are designed to make humans feel crushed. It's got anonymity, it's an inexhaustible trove of subject matter for writing. It's a place to get lost, spend hours being lost, and take pleasure being lost."
#4 Meet the Author: Marina Mahathir (Moderated by Steven Chia)
Soft-spoken and warm, Marina Mahathir exhibited none of those formidable vibes exuded through her written words. However, she peppered her session with humor, great insight, tact and wit. She was absolutely practised and adept in answering questions, direct as they might be. Very enjoyable session.
"I'm interested in politics, just not party politics. I'd have to toe the party line. No political parties have asked me to join them. Far too much trouble! I'm more effective in playing part in civil society. There's a role for civil society. We need to be watchdogs, between elections, and definitely between possible changes of governments."
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'Origins'. The theme "allows us to revisit our own identities, the multiple roles we assume and the masks we put on. What is at the innermost selves - our ethnic origins, the faiths we profess or the colour of the identity card we carry?"
This blog post sums up a sweet, gloriously cool rainy day trotting between two venues of SWF, having crappy sandwiches for lunch, and two thin coffees between the thought-provoking sessions. Wanted to check out some of the books and all at the Festival Pavilion as well. Kinokuniya is the official book retailer, and if you're a member of the bookstore, the usual 20% discount applies. WOOT. Yah, of course I bought books. So glad I toggled the air ticket. As it is, I'm already going to miss all of the festival. Being able to sit in for a day felt great.
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