From a pop-up showcase at Funan Mall to new reads and workshops, there's so much to look forward to at
this year's Read! Fest!
Date: now till 31 Jul 2023
Read! Fest! 2023 by National Library Board
The National Library Board’s (NLB) signature Read! Fest is back for its eighth edition! From now to 31 July 2023, there will be a myriad of events for all to take part in, including an immersive and interactive pop-up showcase at Funan Mall, a charity book drive, author talks and many other programmes online, in libraries, a wet market, and a void deck of a housing block in Ang Mo Kio. Here's taking a closer look at some of the highlights of Read! Fest 2023:
Pop-Up Showcase at Funan Mall
Date: now till 9 Jul 2023
The showcase invites families to discover ways to flourish by engaging in activities to contemplate happiness and their relationships with others. Families can discover what flourishing means to them by assembling their own unique scrapbook composed of various collectibles, including specially designed illustrated postcards and bookmarks containing insights drawn from the 12 featured titles. They can also listen to excerpts of the texts, and even get involved in a participatory dramatic performance inspired by the Read! Fest theme.
Positive Psychology Day
Venue: Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS)
Date: 1 Jul 2023
Time: 10am to 1pm
Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS) will be organising and hosting the programmes below on their campus. Dip your toes into the emerging field of Positive Psychology at the SUSS Positive Psychology Day! Join us for an introductory talk on Positive Psychology by Dr Vincent Oh, psychologists’ insights on the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and quick tips on wellness by the students of SUSS.
The Choice of Happiness – Insights from the Science of Positive Psychology
What is positive psychology and how can it help us to live better lives? To what extent is happiness a choice? While tackling these questions, this talk provides the audience with an introductory overview of the burgeoning field of positive psychology and its implications in our daily lives.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: Insights from Psychologists
Get an insiders’ peek into the world of psychotherapy in this lively discussion on the book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. Featuring practising psychologists, this panel examines the book and reveals insights about mental wellness from an expert perspective. Audience members will also get the opportunity to ask the panel questions about the field of psychology.
Upcycling Through Sashiko Embroidery by MUJI
Venue: MUJI, Plaza Singapura
Date: 8 & 9 Jul 2023
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Breathe new life into old clothing and fabric through Sashiko embroidery. Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique, involves stitching together small pieces of fabric to create beautiful and intricate designs.
Join Cheryl, the textile artist behind Beadbadwolf, as she guides you through Sashiko embroidery techniques, and transform your old or wornout garments into unique and stylish pieces that are eco-friendly and fashionable. All materials are provided.
More info on how to register here.
My Neighbourhood, My Story by Skillseed
Venue: Block 463 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
Date: 8 Jul 2023
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Meet Janet, a long-time resident of Ang Mo Kio, cat advocate, and Personal Mobility Aid user since 2017. She also serves as a community guide who leads learning trails within the Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood. Get to know her story and find out more about her passion and journey in advocating for cats and wheelchair-friendly routes in her neighbourhood.
More info on how to register here.
70 Programmes Featuring Singapore & International Writers
Read! Fest will also feature talks and workshops with Singapore and international writers including Felix Cheong, Verena Tay, Pamelia Chia, Elizabeth Strout (2009 Pulitzer Prize winner in fiction), and Lori Gottlieb (2019 New York Times non-fiction bestseller).
There will also be 70 special programmes that further explore the featured titles with experiential learning, such as learning trails in a HDB void deck and the Chinatown Complex wet market.
In addition, there are workshops on flash fiction writing and upcycling embroidery, and a panel discussion on how writers turn grief into art. These programmes will be held online, in libraries, and surprising places like MUJI at Plaza Singapura and a void deck in Ang Mo Kio.
NLB has also worked with social enterprises like Skillseed and Solve n+1 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the social impact sector, and how an individual can contribute to the community.
Read for Books
Venue: Online & in-person
Date: 1 to 31 Jul 2023
Read for Books is a charity drive to raise awareness and share the gift of reading with the less privileged. For every 10 people who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to selected beneficiaries.
The three beneficiaries for 2023 are NLB’s community initiatives – WondeRead, kidsREAD and Ready to READ@NLB, Starter Kit & Programmes for Babies and Toddlers.
More info on how to participate and register here.
Big Book Giveaway
Photo Credits: National Library Board (NLB)
Venue: Jurong Regional Library, Toa Payoh Public Library, Tampines Regional Library & Woodlands Regional Library
Date: 15 & 16 Jul 2023
Time: 11am to 6pm
The Big Book Giveaway is a community event where pre-loved books can be taken home for free to spread the joy of reading. In 2023, this event will be held at four libraries: Jurong Regional Library, Toa Payoh Public Library, Tampines Regional Library and Woodlands Regional Library.
More info on how to participate here.
The full line-up of programmes for Read! Fest 2023, and registration for them can be done at this link.
