LUMEN | SJI ’ S GLOBAL ISSUES FESTIVAL 2023 : THE ASEAN IMAGINATION
WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
A star is born
“‘ Migrant Voices ’ by Karisa Poedjirahardjo was eye-opening as it was an exploration of art created by our own migrant workers . She exhibited performances and slam poetry written by construction and domestic workers , and one particular act stood out : it was a performance of a construction worker reading the diary of a character he created , called Ali . The entries detailed the fears , tribulations and multitude of worries faced by Ali , a construction worker in Singapore , as he was isolated from society during the pandemic . The language he used was simple but powerful . It also served as a reminder that migrant workers , are just as human and just as multifaceted as we are , with hopes , dreams , and desires . This session was heartfelt as we rarely get to interact with migrant workers and it gave me an insight into art from the margins of society , from the people who have built Singapore from the ground to the sky .” ( Chloe Lee , LE507 )
An evening of heart-felt poetry !
Fan Enrui and his comedic take on taking SL maths !
“ The workshop on protest poetry provided many insights into the relationship between literature ( and art as an extension ) and protest . One key insight I took away was that the extent to which art is interpreted as a “ threat ” is often based on the accessibility of the work . As a writer of poetry myself , I understand the importance of striking a balance between accessibility and literary value . Ultimately , protest poetry isn ’ t merely for the sake of protest , but for activism , and pushing a moral cause as a whole .” ( Owenn Phua , FN504 )
“ For the session ‘ The Asian in Me ’, Ms Gemma ’ s reading of her poem , ‘ Farrer Park Hotel ’ was one that was both thought-provoking and inspiring to me . Her colourful and personal reading allowed me to appreciate the individuality and complexities of our respective heritage which is key to shaping our identities . As a Singaporean with parents of different nationalities , the sense of cultural confusion and hunger for a sense of belonging that she portrayed in her poem was something that deeply resonated with me . The workshop allowed me to better recognise and understand both conscious and unconscious attitudes towards my own heritage , living in an Asian country influenced by cultures not our own ’” ( Kaelin Lie , FN502 )
“ I was left in awe by the creativity displayed by our Josephians during the Evening of Poetry , organised by the Literary Society . They made me laugh , they made me surprised , some even brought a tear to my eye . To have students embrace the literary form requires courage and commitment , and it heartens me to see my peers share a side of them that they never usually show through their recitations . It was truly an evening to remember .” ( Aarush Nair , LE507 )
18