With news, noise, and notifications coming at us faster than we can scroll, how do we keep creating stories that hold meaning and make sense in a world of constant motion and uncertainty?
From 7 to 16 November 2025, the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) 2025 returns for its 28th edition under the theme “Shape of Things to Come”. Organised by Arts House Group (AHG) and commissioned by the National Arts Council (NAC), this year’s Festival coincides with Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60) with over 200 programmes and 300 international and local speakers, bringing to light conversations that explore identity, technology, and creativity all through the lens of literature.
Imagining the Future: “Shape of Things to Come”
This year’s theme takes a step beyond nostalgia, and asks how we’ll write the next chapter of our shared story. Festival Director Yong Shu Hoong describes it as a chance for audiences to explore the excitement and unease that come with progress, and how stories can help us stay grounded in the midst of the ever-changing landscape of Singapore and the world as a whole.
Expect a mix of panels, workshops, and performances that look at where art, culture and innovation coalesces. Whether it’s discussions on how AI is reshaping creativity, or a discussion on how writers imagine future societies, SWF 2025 offers space for both reflection and discovery.
Headline Authors and Visionary Voices
This year’s line-up brings together some of the most recognised names in contemporary writing:
- R.F. Kuang, renowned author of Yellowface and Babel, whose sharp takes on culture and storytelling have sparked global conversations.
- Fuchsia Dunlop, food writer and storyteller known for exploring Chinese cuisine through memory and history.
- Sathnam Sanghera, Victoria Chang, and Raymond Antrobus, who each examine language, migration, and identity through deeply personal work.
In the Sci-fi Spotlight, two giants of speculative fiction — Hao Jingfang (郝景芳) and Ken Liu — tackle discussions on futuristic worlds, culture, and technology setting the stage for what’s set to be some of the Festival’s most thought-provoking sessions.
Festival Highlights and Must-See Programmes
Beyond the headline authors, this year’s programming offers plenty of new tracks and familiar favourites:
- SG60 Homage – A celebration of Singapore’s publishing scene across all four national languages, complete with exhibitions and talks that trace how local literature evolved over six decades.
- Sci-fi Spotlight – A dive into speculative fiction, with sessions like The Future of Art in the Age of AI and The Edible Future, a micro sci-fi writing workshop that connects food and imagination.
- Stories Across Generations – A community writing initiative that pairs youths with seniors to exchange stories and reflect on how memories shape the way we see the future.
- SWF Playground – Family-friendly workshops like Sci-fi Yoga and Draw Your Story, where kids can build their first comic or stretch to the sounds of Interstellar and Star Wars.
- Youth Fringe – Curated by young writers and creatives, this track explores bold ideas and contemporary anxieties through talks like Is This the End of the World? and Gloriously Crashing Out: Rage as a Literary Aesthetic.
There’s also The Salon, a series of intimate sessions that pair conversation with dining, featuring writers such as Marylyn Tan, Balli Kaur Jaswal, and F.H. Batacan. Each event brings together food, stories, and personal insights in relaxed, social settings.
A Festival for Everyone
SWF has always been about accessibility, and this year, it’s taking that further. With programmes available in English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, the Festival strengthens its multilingual focus, offering simultaneous translations at select sessions for a wider audience.
Families, students, and first-time visitors will also find plenty to do, from interactive installations at The Arts House to pop-ups around the heartlands. Whether you’re attending a panel, taking part in a workshop, or just dropping by for a reading, the Festival makes literature approachable and fun again.
How To Be A Part Of SWF 2025
Tickets are available now at Singapore Writers Festival’s official website:
- Festival Pass: $30
- Youth Pass: $15
- Single Ticketed Programmes: From $10 (with 15% off for Festival Pass holders)
All tickets and passes are digital, and entry to each session is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Stay updated on new announcements and programme highlights by following @sgwritersfest on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram, or by keeping tabs on #SWF2025 across social platforms.
Visuals Courtesy of Arts House Group.
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