On the 40th anniversary of the writing of Singapore's first book-length poem Lines from Batu Ferringhi, a parade of writers will read the poem from start to finish, all 10 chapters, 101 pages, and 3048 lines.
Better known as the author of the first Singaporean novel, Goh Poh Seng was also a pioneer in writing long-form poems. The form gave his imagination the latitude to explore the world and converse with himself.
Batu Ferringhi, or Foreigner's Rock, is a beach area on the north of Penang Island, in Malaysia, and it was there where he encountered a colorful cast of characters, including Manikam the taxi-driver, Mei Ling the sex worker, and Pak Din the restaurant owner; read Tolstoy, Rilke, Lorca, and Camus; reflected on the military coup in Cyprus and the war in Vietnam; and celebrated his 38th birthday. Three years later, in 1977, he wrote his Lines in the space of 7 months, and self-published it the following year by setting up Island Press.
To celebrate the publication, he read his book from start to finish before an audience of peers. At this event we will remember this innovative and enterprising Singaporean by repeating his feat with a chorus of some of the most vital literary voices of the moment. Organized by Singapore Unbound.
VENUE: Artistry
ADDRESS: 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149
EVENT WEBSITE: Facebook
DATE AND TIME
13 July 2017, 7pm-9pm