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Meet the Author - Ken Wiwa (2.00-3.00 p.m. Renaissance Ballroom) (OP)

Ken Saro-Wiwa, poet and a human-rights activist who championed the cause of the Ogoni people, was hanged in a Nigerian prison in 1998. His story made headlines around the world and he was regaled as a hero by many. How does a son handle such a legacy? In his very personal memoir, In the Shadow of a Saint Ken Wiwa examines his (often troubled) relationship with his father, and describes his personal search for answers. Ken Wiwa reads from his work and discusses his book with writer Amir Mohammad.

Haiku Workshop (2.00-4.00pm. Function Room 2) (PR)

Haiku is one of the most important forms of Japanese poetry, following the pattern of 5,7,5 syllables. Haiku originally developed among common folk as a recreation, and they are typically meditations on nature and man's place in the world. However, the form has also been successfully adopted by many western poets.

If you have always wanted to work in this form come and take part in this workshop with one of Japan's top haiku masters, Kyoji Kobayashi. This is a practical hands-on workshop which will begin with an introduction to the rules and form of haiku. The most common themes of haiku will be explained, along with the concept of "kigo": the use of words which reflect the seasons.

Participants will then be put into groups to find their own sources of inspiration in an outdoor walkabout, and will write their own haiku, before returning to the Function room to share their work and give feedback. We know that some excellent haiku poets will be born this afternoon!

Creative Writing Workshop Day 1 (2.00-5.00 p.m. Australian High Commission) (RD)

This is a six hour course held over the three afternoons of the KL Litfest (2.30-4.30pm, Thursday 29th July, Friday 30th July, Saturday 31st July) at the Australian High Commission. The course is aimed at those who have already have some writing experience to draw on. Day 1 will cover the nuts and bolts of writing - breaking down writing into the key elements of plot, characterisation, dialogue, style, and then followed by writing exercises addressing these.

Dialog Bersama Sasterawan Negara (3.00-5.00p.m. Function Room 1 (OP)

Malaysia's national association of writers (PENA) sponsors an afternoon in the company of some of the laureate writers in the Malay Language, including SN Arenawati, SN A Samad Said, SN Muhamad Hj Salleh, SN Abdullah Hussein, SN S. Othman Kelantan and Dato' Dr. Anwar Ridhwan (Pengerusi).

Young People's Poetry Workshop (2.00-4.00p.m.Exams Hall, British Council (PR)

Singaporean poet Alfian Sa'at leads a workshop for 15-18 year olds which aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to compose poetry. Particular attention will be paid to choice of subject matter, rhythm and metre, as well as the various resources one can tap to liberate one's creative energies. Participants will also learn how to critique and analyse their works, and will be familiarised with editing and continual re-drafting as an essential discipline for poetry.

Children's Theatre (4.00-5.00 p.m.Central Concourse, Suria KLCC) (OP)

Students from the Children Theatre Class of the Cultural Centre, University Malaya, the Indonesian actor Wawan Sofwan from Bandung and the Goethe-Institute Kuala Lumpur present the children's play: Nuri Dan Lokomotif Lipang

Nuri dan Lokomotif Lipang, or in the original German title: Shtockerlock and Milpilli was first performed by GRIPS Theatre Berlin, written by Rainer Hachfeld and Volker Ludwig, and translated into Bahasa Melayu by Wawan Sofwan, Bandung and Roselina Khir, UM, Drama Department.

The play tells of a girl, Nuri, who meets up with Kancil, the train driver, whose train has been dismantled by the villain, Singavellu. They both decide to embark on a journey and look for the train parts which had been scattered all over the place by Singavellu. With the help of some eccentric characters and of course other children, they find and successfully reassemble the train.

The Songlines (8.30-10.30 p.m. The Mezzo Bar, Renaissance Hotel) (OP)

An informal evening with singer-songwriter Pete Teoh and friends who talk about the creative process involved in writing songs. Also another chance to enjoy or participate in open mike readings.

Cultural Performances (1.00-2.00p.m. Central Concourse KLCC) (OP)

Meet the Writer - Paul Bailey (2.00-3.00p.m The Ballroom Renaissance Hotel) (OP)

British writer Paul Bailey, twice short-listed for the Booker prize, talks here to Sharon Bakar about his latest works (his novel Uncle Rudolf and his second volume of memoir A Dog's Life) and about his craft in general.

Mark O'Connor and Salleh ben Joned (2.00-3.00p.m. Function Room 1 The Renaissance Hotel) (OP)

Olympic poet Mark O'Connor and our own Salleh ben Joned team up for a battle of wit and words.

A Passion for Poetry (3.00-4.00p.m. Function Room 1) (OP)

There's plenty here for poetry lovers! Expect to hear from Jan Kemp (New Zealand), Cecil Rajendra (Malaysia) and Feroza Jusawalla (India/US). Salleh ben Joned will also read an extract from Lloyd Fernando's work.

Drama Workshop for Teachers (4.00-5.30 Function Room 2 (PR)

A hands-on workshop for teachers run by Lorna Tee. Lorna is a trained teacher with a B.Ed. (HONS) from University of Surrey, where she actively pursued drama courses and became involved in several theatre-in-education projects.
The workshop will be an introduction to teachers and trainers on understanding basic concepts of using drama and the arts in the language classroom. There will be discussion of the theory of using drama in the language classroom, and participants will be given the opportunity to experience theatre games, role-play, improvisation, plus voice and movement exercises. Suitable methods to incorporate drama activities into your teaching/ facilitating will also be explored.

Creative Writing Workshop Day (2.30 - 4.30 p.m. Australian High Commission (RD)

Day 2 will build upon techniques to improve your writing, looking at redrafting and rewriting, followed by writing exercises.

An Afternoon with Writers (3.00-4.00p.m. The Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel)(OP)

An exciting afternoon of readings from some of our Litfest writers including Michael Vatikiotis, Fintan O'Toole, Frederick Lees and Kee Thuan Chye.

Play Writing Workshop. Crafting an Identity for the Malaysian and Singaporean Stage (2.00-4.00p.m. Function Room 2 (PR)

Playwrights Jit Murad, Huzir Sulaiman, Alfian Saat, Nam Ron, Eleanor Wong and Yasmin Yaakob talk about directions in theatre on both sides of the causeway.

Talk on Japanese Literature by Kyoji Kobayashi (4.00-5.00p.m. Function Room 1) (OP)

The Japanese writer and haiku expert discusses his work. There will also be a reading from his surreal novella Mazelife which is published in the collection Monkey Brain Sushi.

Japanese Literature into Film (8.30-10.30 MTC Auditorium)(OP)

The series of films based on classics of Japanese Literature continues with a showing of The Makioka Sisters (Tanizaki, Junichiro).

Creative Writing Workshop (2.30-4.30p.m. Australian High Commission) (RD)

Day 3 of the course will look at reading for writers, the writing life, and exercises to bring it all together.

Children's Theatre (4.00-5.00 p.m. Dewan Bahasa) (OP)

Students from the Children Theatre Class of the Cultural Centre, University Malaya, the Indonesian actor Wawan Sofwan from Bandung and the Goethe-Institute Kuala Lumpur present the children's play: Nuri Dan Lokomotif Lipang

Nuri dan Lokomotif Lipang, or in the original German title: Shtockerlock and Milpilli was first performed by GRIPS Theatre Berlin, written by Rainer Hachfeld and Volker Ludwig, and translated into Bahasa Melayu by Wawan Sofwan, Bandung and Roselina Khir, UM, Drama Department.

The play tells of a girl, Nuri, who meets up with Kancil, the train driver, whose train has been dismantled by the villain, Singavellu. They both decide to embark on a journey and look for the train parts which had been scattered all over the place by Singavellu. With the help of some eccentric characters and of course other children, they find and successfully reassemble the train.

Found In Translation (4.00-5.00p.m. The Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel (OP)

This session brings together two exciting young writers who will read from their works in translation: Swiss novelist Christian Kracht writes in German and has been hailed as one of the prime stylists of pop literature. Indonesia's Ayu Utami is one of the most important young writers of the new Sastera Wangi (literally 'fragrant literature' and known in the West as 'chick lit') movement .

Japanese Literature into Film (8.30-10.30 MTC Auditorium)(OP)

Sea and Poison (Shusaku Endo)