The meeting point of global ideas.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Singapore, Singapore — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Amanda Lee Koe · National Library Board Singapore - Victoria Theatre · August 12, 2026
Contemporary Singaporean novelist Amanda Lee Koe discusses new directions in Singapore fiction and the challenges of writing across cultures. Attendees will hear readings and a sho…
Yuval Noah Harari · Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay (Esplanade Concert Hall Foyer) · August 12, 2026
Historian and author Yuval Noah Harari explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping labour, identity and civic life. The talk will consider ethical trade-offs and public polic…
Kevin Kwan · National Library Board (Central Public Library) · August 12, 2026
Bestselling author Kevin Kwan reads from his latest novel and discusses satire, social observation, and the craft of comedic storytelling. The session includes a moderated Q&A and …
Kevin Kwan · National Library Building (Central Public Library) · August 12, 2026
Bestselling Singapore-born author Kevin Kwan reads from his forthcoming novel and discusses cultural representation in global fiction. The event includes a short Q&A and book signi…
Kishore Mahbubani · National Museum of Singapore · August 12, 2026
Former diplomat and public intellectual Kishore Mahbubani examines Singapore's strategic options amid changing regional power dynamics. He will discuss policy choices for economic …
Kishore Mahbubani · National Library Board — Central Public Library · August 12, 2026
Veteran diplomat and author Kishore Mahbubani examines Asia's evolving global role in the 21st century. He will outline policy implications for Singapore and the region and take au…
Kishore Mahbubani · Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay (Concert Hall) · August 12, 2026
Kishore Mahbubani examines shifting geopolitical dynamics and what they mean for cities across Asia. He will offer a framework for policymakers and engaged citizens to understand r…
Yuval Noah Harari · Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay (Playhouse) · August 12, 2026
Historian Yuval Noah Harari examines how biotechnology and artificial intelligence are reshaping human identity and society. The lecture will explore ethical trade-offs and policy …
Sharlene Teo · National Library Board Singapore (Central Public Library) · August 12, 2026
Singapore-born novelist Sharlene Teo reads from her latest work and talks about craft, diasporic identity, and writing for an international audience. The session ends with a short …
Ong Keng Sen · LASALLE College of the Arts, Lecture Theatre · August 12, 2026
Director Ong Keng Sen reflects on interdisciplinary theatre, community engagement, and the role of performance in civic life. The session includes case studies from Singapore and t…
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay · August 12, 2026
Novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses storytelling, representation, and the responsibilities of writers in an interconnected age. The session includes a reading and a moderat…
Elizabeth Kolbert · National Library Board Singapore - Toa Payoh Public Library · August 12, 2026
Pulitzer-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert discusses urban climate risks and practical approaches to resilience in tropical cities. The informal café format invites audience int…
Pico Iyer · Asian Civilisations Museum · August 12, 2026
Travel writer Pico Iyer considers the ideas of home and belonging in a world on the move. He will reflect on long-form travel writing and its relevance to cultural diplomacy in Asi…
Pico Iyer · National Library Board (Central Public Library) · August 12, 2026
Acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer discusses the role of stillness and long-form observation in a fast-moving world, drawing on his decades of travel and residence across Asia. The …
Anne Applebaum · National Museum of Singapore, Stamford Auditorium · August 12, 2026
Historian Anne Applebaum discusses propaganda, memory politics, and the resilience of democratic institutions in contemporary Europe. A post-talk discussion will consider lessons f…
Rana Mitter · Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM Lecture Hall) · August 12, 2026
Historian Rana Mitter explores the long histories of trade networks across Asia and their effects on literature, religion, and visual culture. The lecture links archival research t…
Pico Iyer · LASALLE College of the Arts · August 12, 2026
Essayist Pico Iyer shares reflections on travel, stillness, and the creative impulse in an intimate conversation with LASALLE students and the public. The session will include a sh…
Kishore Mahbubani · National University of Singapore (NUS) – Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Auditorium · August 12, 2026
Former Singaporean diplomat and public intellectual Kishore Mahbubani examines Asia's growing role in global institutions and what it means for world order. The session includes a …
Paul Krugman · Singapore Management University (SMU), School of Social Sciences · August 12, 2026
Nobel laureate Paul Krugman presents on global macroeconomic trends, inequality, and policy responses to recent economic shocks. The lecture will be followed by a student-led discu…
Kishore Mahbubani · National Museum of Singapore · August 14, 2026
Diplomat and public intellectual Kishore Mahbubani examines Asia’s changing role in global governance after recent crises. He will argue for policy shifts to manage strategic compe…