Programme

Friday, 23 November 

2.00pm - 3.30pm

Poetry Workshop with PELLTA & Arts Ed

Three award-winning writers and poets work with Penang schoolchildren to create a series of rap poems in one afternoon. Come and share in the fun!

Writers: Ng Yi-Sheng, Omar Musa and Nii Ayikwei Parkes

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Lecture by Dr John Robertson

The Battle of Penang

On the 28^th October 1914, at the dawn of WW1, the German cruiser Emden steamed quietly into Penang harbour and sank the Russian cruiser Zhemtchug. Leaving before anyone could retaliate, the Emden encountered and sank the French destroyer Mousquet. Writer John Robertson recounts this fascinating event in our naval history.

Venue: Vic’s, Upstairs at The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

8.00pm – 9.00pm

Official Opening Ceremony by Chief Minister of Penang, Y.A.B. Lim Guan Eng

Readings and Performances by A. Samad Said, Ng Yi-Sheng and Omar Musa

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: By invitation only

9.00pm – 11.00pm

Opening Reception and Live Music at The Canteen

Reception courtesy of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Music by Isaac Entry and Az Samad

Venue: The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: By invitation only

Saturday, 24 November

10.30am – 12.00pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

Women Writers Forum

Five women. Five writers working in different genres, forms and styles. Listen to how they are inspired to write what they do, and discover the inner workings of what it takes to engage with material that matters to them.

Writers: Dina Zaman, Shivani Sivagurunathan, Linda Christanty and Judith Uyterlinde

Moderator: Sharon Bakar

Venue: Vic’s, Upstairs at The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

10.30am – 12.00pm

In Conversation with David Van Reybrouck

A meeting of minds between two writers and readers of history, society and political realities of the East and West, this promises to be an open and riveting discussion about issues that are current and relevant to us all.

Writer: David Van Reybrouck

Moderator: Rehman Rashid

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

Imaginary (Home)Lands

Writers write about landscapes and spaces that are real and/or imagined. See how these writers are inspired to transcend the real into the realm of the imaginary.

Writers: Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Shivani Sivagurunathan, Reggie Baay, Zakariya Amataya and Tan Twan Eng
Moderator: Umapagan Ampikaipakan

Venue: Vic’s, Upstairs at The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

The Mind of the Malay Author

Inspired by the title of the book The Mind of the Malay Author written by Muhammad Haji Salleh, this panel seeks to discuss the underlying currents, complexities and changes in the history and points of view of Malay literature from the past to the present.

Writers: Dina Zaman, A. Samad Said, Alfian Sa’at and Omar Musa

Moderator: Rehman Rashid

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

4.00pm – 5.30pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

Fixi and the Rise of New Malay Fiction (Session in Bahasa Malaysia and English)

Launch of the latest 2 novels from Fixi, the new-kid-on-the-block on the Malay fiction scene. They are Mental by Shaz Johar (his third Fixi novel after Kougar and Tabu) and Gina Yap Lai Yoong's Mangsa (the continuation of her bestseller Ngeri). Fixi has created a platform for new and exciting voices in contemporary Malay fiction. Fixi founder Amir Muhammad along with some of its writers, will discuss how Malay pulp has evolved to embrace the sacred and the profane in ways never seen before, and the anticipation of its foray into English pulp fiction.

Writers: Shaz Johar and Gina Yap Lai Yoong

Moderator: Amir Muhammad

Venue: Studio@Straits

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

5.30pm – 6.00pm

Book Launch by Amir Muhammad

Amir Muhammad will be launching a book which title and content are yet unconfirmed at press time! This session will have the book hot off the press, with a limited edition specifically done for this festival. We are told that the book will be 200 pages long and promises to be objectionable. Not to be missed!

Writer/Moderator: Amir Muhammad

Venue: Studio@Straits

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

8.00pm – 9.30pm

Spoken Word/Performance Poetry:

Wayang Kata VIII - Wayang Kata began in Kuala Lumpur in 2006 as a collaboration between the British Council and Jasmine Low and Jerome Kugan, of open mic events Doppelganger and Troubadours, as an attempt to popularise the spoken word. Three years of performances to a packed house saw a host of UK poets grace the Wayang Kata stage in Kuala Lumpur - Francesca Beard, Jacob Sam-La Rose, Malika Booker, Kim Trusty and Polarbear - alongside a constellation of rising Malaysian poetry stars. Wayang Kata is now independently funded and will host its first ever show in Penang featuring a multi-lingual lineup of poets and spoken word performers in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Hokkien, Tamil, Thai, Burmese and more!

Poets: Lucille Das, Maria Teutsch, Ko-Ai, Sheena Baharudin, Mark Walker, Murugan Sellapan, Venogopal Sahadevan, Ksatriya Words N Rhymes, Jamal Raslan, Jerome Kugan, Jasmine Low, Zakariya Amataya and more.

Hosted by: Jasmine Low and Jerome Kugan

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: RM5

9.30pm – 11.00pm

Live Music at The Canteen

Musicians : Jerome Kugan and Mei Chern

Venue: The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Sunday, 25 November

10.30am – 12.00pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

My Democracy

Should writers care about their governments? Should literature be political? Should the writer also be an activist? See how these different writers deal with their own democracies and how they choose to work with their own political realities.

Writers: David Van Reybrouck, Alfian Sa’at, Linda Christanty, A. Samad Said and Andre Vltchek

Moderator: Sharaad Kuttan

Venue: Vic’s, Upstairs at The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis


10.30am – 12.00pm

In Conversation with Tan Twan Eng

Is Malaysian writing finally getting the recognition it deserves? Tan Twan Eng is the first Malaysian writer to be short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in English. An open discussion on the writer’s life, its trials and tribulations.

Writer: Tan Twan Eng

Moderator: Sharon Bakar

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

12.30pm – 1.30pm

Poetry Rant

Mad as Hell!

Five poets get angry. Watch them get mad - and bad!

Writers: Ng Yi-Sheng, Omar Musa, Alfian Sa’at, Shivani Sivagurunathan and Nii Ayikwei Parkes

Hosted by: Jasmine Low

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

Show Me the Money!

Do writers write to get rich? What happens when writers become successful beyond their wildest dreams? See how money plays a role in the complex, intricate business of publishing and market-driven profits.

Writers: Judith Uyterlinde, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Tan Twan Eng and Andre Vltchek

Moderator: Kam Raslan

Venue: Vic’s, Upstairs at The Canteen, ChinaHouse

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Reading and Panel Discussion

Taboos or Travesties

How do writers go about saying the unsayable? How do they deal with issues and themes that may cause scandal and uproar? See how these writers deal with challenging issues that simply need to be said.

Writers: Ng Yi-Sheng, Reggie Baay, Dina Zaman, Linda Christanty and David Van Reybrouck

Moderator: Bernice Chauly

Venue: Sekeping Victoria

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis


4.00pm – 5.00pm

Book Launch

Readings from Readings 2 : New Writing from Malaysia, Singapore and Beyond

Since 2005, Readings@Seksan and CeritAku have provided platforms for local and expatriate writers, both new and established, who have found keen audiences in Kuala Lumpur. A first highly acclaimed collection of short fiction, poetry, and essays was published in 2011. This second anthology features more voices from Malaysia, Singapore and beyond.

Edited by: Bernice Chauly and Sharon Bakar

Moderator: Sharon Bakar

Venue: Studio@Straits

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis


5.00pm – 6.00pm

Book Launch

Sex, Stage + State: Kuali Works Plays – Book Launch by Ann Lee

Award-winning playwright Ann Lee’s collected plays was first launched at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali. Enjoy rehearsed readings by local actors Jo Kukathas, Foo May Lyn and other special guests.

Writer/Moderator: Ann Lee

Venue: Studio@Straits

Admission: Free
Seating available on first-come, first-served basis


8.30pm – 11.00pm

Open Mic and Live Music at The Canteen

Musicians: Isaac Entry, Az Samad, Mei Chern and Jerome Kugan

Hosted by: Sharon Bakar and Jasmine Low

Venue: The Canteen, ChinaHouse

24 & 25 November

Alternative Bookfair

The Alternative Bookfair will feature local publishers and distributors Gerakbudaya, Areca Books, The Penang Bookshelf, Matahari Books and Fixi.

Venue: 14 Chairs, ChinaHouse

Festival Venues :

Sekeping Victoria

164 Lebuh Victoria, George Town

Location map

ChinaHouse

153 & 155 Lebuh Pantai, George Town

Location map

Studio@Straits

86 Lebuh Armenian, George Town

Location map