Balik Kampong: A Nyonya’s Writing Journey
Author Josephine Chia first immersed readers in her childhood kampong of Potong Pasir with her memoir Kampong Spirit—Gotong Royong, which won the Singapore Literature Prize for non-fiction, and was followed up with a sequel Goodbye My Kampong! Besides her novels that have drawn on her Peranakan culture, Ayam Buah Keluak and the Art of Writing shares her lessons on how to live creatively, even amid adversity.
Now with a new edition of Kampong Spirit just released, join the storied author for an intimate chat on what her years of writing have taught her, and how she has turned her childhood, heritage and challenges into creative fuel.
About Kampong Spirit—Gotong Royong: Life in Potong Pasir, 1955 to 1965 (new edition):
The most significant aspect of living in a kampong was its kampong spirit—or gotong royong. Though deprived of modern comforts like electricity or running water, multi-racial neighbours lived harmoniously with each other in their attap villages, had a wonderful zest for life and a strong sense of community.
This refreshed new edition of Kampong Spirit brings to life the colourful characters of the villagers with whom Peranakan author Josephine Chia grew up at a kampong in Potong Pasir. The period 1955 to 1965 was also a dramatic era for Singapore. As the country struggled towards nationhood, the social and political events of this time and their effects are seen through the eyes of the common folk.
This collection of delightful, real life short stories will take you through Singapore’s history and heritage at a human level. For some, it will be a journey of discovery and for others, a time of reminiscing about those nostalgic years.
Winner of the Singapore Literature Prize for English non-fiction—an essential and vibrant read on what kampong living in Singapore was like.
About the Speaker:
Josephine Chia is proud of her Peranakan heritage. She is internationally published in both adult fiction and non-fiction. She was born in Kampong Potong Pasir in colonial Singapore. Her first short stories were published in SINGA, a Singapore literary journal published in the 1980s and 1990s. She has run Creative Writing workshops for the National Book Development Council, the National Arts Council, the National Library Board and the Ministry of Education’s Creative Arts Programme, and is a mentor to aspiring writers under the National Arts Council’s Mentor Access Programme (MAP) and the Ministry of Education’s Creative Arts Programme.
