Growing From Strength to Strength: Baba Nyonya Literary Festival 2026

Baba Emeric Lau reports from the Gallery Theatre at the National Museum of Singapore after a whirlwind weekend comprising multiple panel discussions, book launches, recitals, and performances.

This fourth edition of TPAS’ Literary Festival sported the tagline “Preserving Heritage Through Literature”, an aim which, going by the more than respectable turnout over the weekend of 25 – 26 July 2026, was amply fulfilled. Yet guest of honour Ms. Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, had a subtle rejoinder in her address: that literature, in its role of affirming culture, should also serve as means of cultivating identity, especially in the context of Singapore and Singaporeans. 

Indeed, Peranakan identity has allowed Singapore to contextualise our place within Southeast Asia. It is a culture that arises from the diversity of its peoples and their practices, a point deftly underscored by Mr. Kishore Mahbubani in his keynote address on the second day. He cited examples where societies turned to enmity, such as the Yellow Peril, the USA’s Chinese Racial Exclusion Act, and Islamic Türkiye being refused admission to the EU despite being geographically a part of Europe. Yet such fault lines are not fracturing societies in ASEAN, which he found quite miraculous. Instead, Peranakan culture is a harmonious fusion of civilisations; the fact that it has flourished at all shows strength and resilience amongst people here, and it should rightly be seen as no less than a model for the rest of humanity to live in peace.

The panel discussions and fireside chats commanded rapt attention from the audience, while the Q&A segments and tea breaks allowed attendees and authors to mingle and exchange insights – often with much passion and gusto – and strengthen social networks. The book stands saw brisk sales as authors were more than happy to sign their books for friends and fans alike. 

Festival Founder and Organiser, Nyonya Ngiam May Ling noted, “This edition of the Literary Festival featured the largest contingent of Malaysian delegates we have ever welcomed. There are also several attendees who journeyed from even farther afield. We are truly grateful to all who came to support us whether from near or far and aim to build on this success. Together, we can grow what started as a tiny event in 2019 into a calendar staple supported by a strong regional following.”