Dear Members,

I’m writing to invite all Press Club Members who might be interested in attending a unique event that brings together literary and performing artists.

From 12 to 14 October the LitUp Asia-Pacific Festival 2018 takes place in Singapore. Free to attend, the festival will be held at LaSALLE College of the Arts, Aliwal Arts Centre, Blu Jazz Cafe and Kampong Glam.

In its eighth year, LitUp commences a new cycle of bringing literary and performing artists together, while adding a regional focus with stronger tie-ins targeting university scholars and arts students as well as cross-arts collaboration. Visit https://www.litupasia.com/ for festival details and to register your attendance.

This year’s theme, Water, City, Sky – Literatures Rising in Asia, is explored through theatre, poetry and literature to screen forms. The festival-symposium will also highlight oral traditions from Indian, Chinese and indigenous sources that have influenced the region, looking especially to their historical antecedents and contemporary expressions.

Highlights include ‘One Man Ramayana’ by British-Punjabi poet Daljit Nagra (winner of the Forward prize and twice shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Award). Balinese mime company Teater Kini Berseri will interpret two Singaporean works and NAFA will present an ensemble theatre work based on the Merlion.

Lit Up will also introduce Filipino Balagtasan, an historical ‘debate poetry’ form, alongside Chinese opera, Malay pantuns and Dhikr Barat (choral song-recitation). Scholars will speak on these traditions and others will contribute through workshops, panels and demonstrations relating to film and animation.

The Writers Centre, Singapore and WordForward.org will also be launching three competitions: Crash Test Theatre: a ten-minute play event, the first Asia-Pacific Poetry Slam and a literary cosplay parade.

Please contact me at festival@litupasia.com should you have any questions regarding LitUP Asia-Pacific 2018.

Regards,

Sally J. Clarke
Management Committee Member