Raffles Hotel Singapore celebrates the culmination of acclaimed Singaporean graphic novelist, author and artist Sean Lam’s journey as its fifth Writer-in-Residence under the Raffles Writer’s Residency programme.
Developed during his residency, 'Raffles Hotel: The Grande Dame and the Waving Blade', is a historical graphic novel that introduces a distinct visual dimension to the programme and reflects the hotel’s continued commitment to literary word in its evolving forms.
Introduced in 2019, the Raffles Writer’s Residency programme celebrates the Grande Dame’s longstanding relationship with literature and its tradition of playing host and muse to renowned literary figures from around the world.
The programme offers contemporary creative voices a tranquil retreat in the vibrant heart of Singapore, inviting them to develop original works inspired by the hotel’s storied history and cultural significance.
Set in Singapore in 1902, the newly published 'Raffles Hotel: The Grande Dame and the Waving Blade' follows three individuals from different worlds whose destinies become intertwined at Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Through a sweeping tale of love, sacrifice and belonging, Sean explores human connection across cultures, languages and social boundaries, combining historical research with vivid illustration to illuminate the people and encounters behind the Grande Dame’s history.
The storytelling also extends from page to glass at Writers Bar, with three new handcrafted cocktails introduced, inspired by the characters, emotions and defining moments in the graphic novel - Kilat; See You, Raffles; and Merlion’s Keris & Seashells. Drawing on familiar cocktail traditions while introducing unexpected flavours, each creation brings a different facet of the story to life through flavour.
