The inaugural edition of the International Migrant Literature Festival was held on 19 December 2021, where it shined a spotlight on writers with migrant backgrounds. Attended by prominent Singapore poet Dr Alvin Pang as Guest of Honour, the festival – held on the week of International Migrants Day – featured a series of events which showcased the diverse literary talents of migrant writers and explored themes of migration, belonging, and connection. The programmes included poetry and multi-disciplinary performances, storytelling sessions, panel discussions, and a workshop.
The festival is organized by Migrant Writers of Singapore, sponsored by Sing Lit Station, and supported by the National Library Board Singapore and One Bag, One Book.
Guest of Honour: Dr Alvin Pang, Adjunct Professor of RMIT University
Opening Speech: Zakir Hossain Khokan
Featuring: Grace Lee Khoo, Jenny Rose Domingo, Joan Santillan Amurao, Kamil Haque, Sumon Biswas
Moderator: Eliz Morante Domingo Llanillo
Featuring: Debabrota Basu (Translator of Migrant Tales), Jenny Silver (Editor of Translating Migration), Theophilus Kwek (Editor of Asian Books Blog), Zakir Hossain Khokan (Editor of Call and Response)
Featuring: Rahul Shah
Moderator: Julie Ann Tabigne
Featuring: Shivaji Das (Global Migrant Festival), Fong Hoe Fang (Publisher), Maria Nemy Lou Rocio, (Founder of Migrant Writers of Hong Kong) Janelyn Dupingay Vergara (Organizer at Migrant Writers of Singapore)
Featuring: Al-Amin, Amanda Muñiz, Chandra Gurung, Nelie Bautista, Salah Aldin Falioun, Sonia Serrenade, Stephanie Dogfoot, Wahid Al Mamun
Moderator: Naicy Candido
Featuring: Danushka Jayakodi, Ellen Lavilla, Haidee Roiles, Masum Hasan, Nizamul Haque, Pranay Roy, Sari Wijayanti, Sudesna Roy Chowdhurry, Yulia Endang
Moderator: Jay Ong
There is something for everyone at our fairs and festivals, with topics ranging from mental health to mother language appreciation. Prepare to be blown away by dynamic and interdisciplinary showcases while discovering a wide array of writers.
There is something for everyone at our fairs and festivals, with topics ranging from mental health to mother language appreciation. Prepare to be blown away by dynamic and interdisciplinary showcases while discovering a wide array writers.
