HYDERABAD: The richness and diversity of Singapore’s literature and culture will be on show at the forthcoming HLF (Hyderabad Literary Festival) 2016 to be held between January 7-10. Two years ago, the National Arts Council (NAC) of Singapore, which functions under the Ministry of Culture, had sent a delegation of writers to HLF to check out the festival and were impressed by the way the festival was organised.
The NAC has now accepted HLF’s proposal to feature Singapore as the ‘Guest Nation’ at HLF 2016.
Roy Kho, Singapore Consul-General in Chennai will be a guest of honour at the inaugural of HLF 2016, and six writers and nearly as many artistes will present their work at the festival in readings, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural events. Musicians of BronzAge Gamelan ensemble will accompany Rosemarie Somaiah of Asian Storytelling Network, Singapore’s first professional storytelling company, at the inaugural cultural event.
Besides, five animated short films produced by ‘The Filmic Eye’ will be screened at the festival. These films were produced under ‘Utter 2015’. Utter is a special initiative of the Singapore Writers Festival and it showcases the best of Singapore writing and celebrates its potential to be adapted into different media and across languages.
To complete the collaboration, Kitaab the Singapore-based publishing and multimedia company, which focuses mainly on Asian writing, is HLF’s official online media partner. Zafar Anjum, the founder and editor-in-chief of Kitaab, will participate in HLF both as a journalist and an author.
Lit Festivities
Six writers and nearly as many artistes will present their work at the festival in readings, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural events