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

Click here for related resources.

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.

Related resources for ‘Writing Mini Fiction with Xi Ni Er’ happening on 21 August 2010.

List of works/resources for Xi Ni Er (Chia Hwee Pheng):

Fiction:
《生命里难以承受的重》 （微型小说，1992)
《认真面具》（微型小说，1999）
《希尼尔微型小说》（微型小说，2005）
《希尼尔小说选 : 新加坡当代作家作品选》 （2007）

Poetry:
《绑架岁月》（新诗，19 89)
《轻信莫疑》（新诗，2001）
《希尼尔短诗选》（新诗，2002）

Resources accessed and provided by ASK! services of the public
libraries on 30 July 2010. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ask@nlb.gov.sg

Resources accessed and provided by Reference Point @ National Library
Singapore. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ref@nlb.gov.sg.

Related to programme ‘K Kanagalatha in The Women I Murder’ happening on 17 April 2010.

Singapore women re-presented / Audrey Chin, Constance Singam.

Successful women in Singapore : issues, problems and challenges / Low Guat Tin.

Half the sky : turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide / Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

Resources accessed and provided by ASK! services of the public
libraries on 31 March 2010. For more, check our catalogue at
http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg or email ask@nlb.gov.sg

The Singapore Book Club – Join author Hidayah Amin as she discusses “Gedung Kuning”.

3 September 2010, Friday @ 8 p.m
Venue: Living Room @ The Arts House (1 Old Parliament Lane)

ADMISSION IS FREE. ALL ARE WELCOME!
For more information or to register, email info@bookcouncil.sg with your contact details.

Gedung Kuning or the Yellow Mansion was home to the family of Haji Yusoff ‘Tali Pinggang’ from 1912 to 1999. It was acquired by the Singapore government in August 1999 under the Land Acquisition Act. What used to house six families is now preserved as a historic building under the Malay Heritage Centre.  Hidayah Amin, one of Haji Yusoff’s great-granddaughters, revisits her childhood home and takes readers beyond the gate guarded by stone eagles, through rooms with big mirrors and marble floors, and shares interesting anecdotes growing up in Gedung Kuning. Through 28 short stories, readers get a historical narrative detailing the lives of people living in Gedung Kuning and the Malays of Singapore from 1850s to 1999.

To make the session more interesting and to allow the audience to experience the author’s expertise ‘Sood Mahu Kahwin’ was turned into a radio play by Ishak and performed live in front of the audience by youths. A discussion ensued about the topic of singlehood and late marriages in the local context with the youths forming part of the panel to address audience’s questions. Audience were also interested to find out more about writing radio plays from Ishak.

Check out pictures here at Flickr! (seem the problem to attach pictures is still there.)

~ Part of ESL Vol 2 to provide insights into the multi-ethnic literatures
of the different communities through the works of local writers and arts
practioners ~

These and more were recapped in the two sessions we had on 10 July with Cikgu Yusnor Ef, experienced songwriter who had the chance to learn scriptwriting from the late P. Ramlee. Cikgu Yusnor is also a researcher of Malay Films specifically P. Ramlee films.

Am having problems attaching pictures into this post so pls check out the pictures here!

Of course, a visit to a place representative of the Malay Entertainment Industry once upon a time, Jalan Ampas Studio 8 is a must. We were not allowed to take pictures in the studio but had the chance to take a group photo! Thanks to Shaw Brothers for allowing us to pay a visit.

Later in the afternoon, Cikgu Yusnor shared with us more about the films of the late P. Ramlee and reviewed the languages and dialogue in the films through the play of poetry, humour and songs. Pictures and handwritten notes of the late artiste from Cikgu’s personal collection were also exhibited

Thanks to all the wonderful participants who came for the sessions! Email to me at Athena_AZIZ@nlb.gov.sg if you have photos and short video clips to share of the visit

Singapore Book Club
Book Discussion @ Earshot, The Arts House, 16 Jul 10 at 7pm

In conversation with Adeline Foo, Lim Fong Wei and Sangeetha Madhavan.
Join us in July as we discuss Adeline’s latest children’s book ‘Georgette’s Mooncakes’, translated into Chinese by Lim Fong Wei.

Admission is free. All are welcome!

To register, email info@bookcouncil.sg with your name and phone number.

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.