Is mini fiction the writing of short stories? Why is it more popular in the Chinese community especially in Singapore? Do you know mini fiction also exists in the west?

Writing Mini-Fiction with Xi Ni Er
Saturday, 21 August 2010, 11.00am – 1.00pm
The POD, Level 16, National Library Board

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A well-known author in Singapore, Chia Hwee Pheng or better known as Xi Ni Er through his various works is a master craftsman in the experimentation of mini-fiction writing. His book ‘The Collection of Xi Ni Er Mini-Fiction is a collection of mini-fictions chronicling the light and difficult moments over forty years of Singapore’s nation building.

Join Xi Ni Er in this session as he shares his experience in writing mini-fiction especially against the backdrop of Singapore and the different styles of writing through his various works. This programme is suitable for the appreciation of mini-fiction and for aspiring writers who has a keen interest in the area and would like to start writing mini-fiction. The author would also provide tips and guidance how you can start writing by selecting the subjects of your own mini-fiction.

As places are limited, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore.’ As this form of writing if more relevant to the local writing scene. the session will be conduced in Chinese.

About the Author
Chia Hwee Pheng writes under the pseudonym Xi Ni Er (希尼尔). He has twice received the Book Awards from The National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS) (1990 & 1994). He was the recipient of the Cultural Medallion in 2008 and the Southeast Asia Write Award in 2009. He has published 8 books including “The Stretched Credulity” (poetry), “The Unbearable Heaviness of Life” and “The Collection of Xi Ni Er Mini-Fiction” (mini fiction). He is currently the President of Singapore Association of Writers.

Film in Singapore

When we talk about Malay films during the days of black and white movies, P. Ramlee never fails to come to mind. One of the accomplished songwriters who learnt from him is Yusnor Ef. Film historian and critic, Yusnor will host these sessions in July to honour P Ramlee.

Black & White Affair of Malay Cinema: Then & Now
Saturday, 10 July, 9.45 am – 12.30 pm
Meeting Point: Information Counter, Level 1, National Library Building
Jalan Ampas Studios was where the production of Malay films in Singapore started. Now vacant, the place used to bustle with life and boasted a celebrated line-up of directors and stars, one of whom was P. Ramlee. What stories does the place hold now?

After such vast modernisation in Singapore, are the places found in P. Ramlee’s movies still standing today? Join us on a discovery trail of these places in black and white. Mr Yusnor Ef lends his expertise and knowledge based on his years of learning from P. Ramlee and many more on education and research. Learn more about the actor, singer, scriptwriter and director from Yusnor as he shares his personal memories of P. Ramlee.

As we will be outdoors part of the programme, please be in comfortable attire and walking shoes.

Places are limited, so please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

Black & White Affair of Malay Cinema: Language & Dialogue
Saturday, 10 July, 2.00 – 3.30 pm
The POD, Level 16, National Library Building
Marked as the icon in Malay entertainment, P. Ramlee’s works extended to the music industry and literary scene. Among some, his movies taught lessons of love, marriage, friendship and survival against the backdrop of community living in the kampungs. Still popular among modern Malay viewers, his movies were enjoyed by non-Malays.

Join us as we review and understand dialogues and language in some of Ramlee’s films from Mr Yusnor Ef as he brings insights into many of P. Ramlee’s films and the play of poetry, songs, dialogue and humour in the films.

To join us, please register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, ‘Singapore’.

Experience Radio Plays! With Ishak Latiff

Saturday, 12 June, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm,
Imagination Room, Level 5, National Library Building

If you’ve always been curious to know how radio plays are being produced, this is your chance to catch a radio play ‘live’ in action! Witness how the production team puts it all together – all in real time! You will also get the chance to provide alternative endings to the story and have a hand at recreating your own version of a radio play.

Conducted by prolific and award-winning writer, Ishak Latiff, get more insights to the interesting angles that the author visualise in his stories. The wittiness and twists present in his stories will hook you and never fail to surprise. The author will also invite you to create your own ending to his stories. Through the showcase of his play, ‘Sood Mahu Kahwin’ (’Sood wants to get married’), Ishak will explore the issues of singlehood and late marriages that are not just pertinent to the Malay community but to the Singapore society as a whole. What happens when the conventional Malay tradition is being challenged?

If you’re interested, do come down and participate with us as this session promises lots of interaction and fun! Places are limited, so please register by accessing http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg ‘Singapore Memory’ or by emailing to Athena_AZIZ@nlb.gov.sg with your name, school(if applicable), contact number and email address with the header ‘Experience Radio Plays!’

This programme is conducted in both Malay and English.

About the Speaker
Ishak Abdul Latiff is a prolific and versatile Malay writer whose writing ranges from short stories to script writing for theatre, radio and television. He won numerous awards including the first (2001) and third prize (2005) in the National Arts Council (NAC) Golden Point Award. Other accolades include awards bagged from the ‘Sayembara Penulisan Novel Watan & Cerpen’ writing competition, jointly organised by Suria TV, Warna 94.2 FM and other Malay organisations. He was part of the writing panel, which produced Suria TV Drama, ‘Anak Metropolitan’ which won the best television drama in the local television award, ‘Pesta Perdana 2001′. Professionally, Ishak has taught Malay Language for 20 years in secondary schools before joining SOTA in 2008 to spear head the Malay Language Faculty.