NO. 33

VOL. 09

ISS. 02

BEDOK HERITAGE TRAIL: A GLIMPSE OF THE SEASIDE TOWN OF THE PAST

TRANSFORMING JUNK INTO NATIONAL TREASURES

CULTURE, KOPI AND KUEH FOREWORD Publisher National Heritage Board It gives us great pleasure to present the National Museum and the 61 Stamford Road, #03-08, Stamford Court, you with this latest edition of MUSE collaborate 178892 SG packed full of exciting stories with Community Chest’s that trace Singapore’s rich heritage beneficiaries to create meaningful Chief Executive Officer Rosa Daniel from its roots as a small fishing programmes that foster community village to the bustling metropolis well-being. Assistant Chief Executive that stands in its place today. Alvin Tan Finally, for those among you who (Policy & Community) In our cover story – Heritage lived through the early years of Trail: A Glimpse of the Seaside Town Singapore, our features on the MUSE SG team of the Past (page 10), we discover the National Day Parades of yesteryear Editor-in-chief history of Singapore’s multicultural (page 39), and of listening to the David Chew eastern coastal settlements with radio over medium wave radio or on Design Consultant Ian Lin the meaningfully designed Bedok Rediffusion in decades past (page Editorial Manager Heritage Trail. Follow the footsteps 33) will certainly warm your hearts Ruchi Mittal of fishermen and farmers as they and take you on a nostalgic walk Production Manager ply their trade, and learn about the down memory lane. Lawrence Low unique stories behind the names Layout Heritage belongs to each and every and origins of various kampongs Kaleb Loh one of us and is an integral thread that used to dot the east. Copy-editing in the fabric of Singapore society Hedgehog To celebrate the 30th anniversary of – tying together the various races, Communications what has evolved into the popular age groups and social classes into Printing Hobee Print Pte Ltd Singapore Heritage Festival, we one common identity. We hope you Contributors feature a special interview with enjoy reading and savouring this Cao Yixuan Juliana Lim (page 18), who oversaw latest collection of experiences and Charmaine Tan the event’s very first incarnation. that you’ll find renewed inspiration Foo Toon Siang Jan Chen Hear interesting anecdotes on in our nation’s rich heritage. Jermaine Huang how the landscape of heritage Joen Goh preservation has evolved from that MUSE SG TEAM John Kwok Maggie Tan Front Cover of a lowly-funded junk-collection Rebekah Lim Yip Cheong Fun. Amidst the Nets. project into one of pride and Reena Devi East Coast, c. 1940s. Collection of prominence. Ruchi Mittal National Gallery Singapore. Sharon Chen A pioneer photographer in On a slightly more serious note, Sharon Ng Singapore, Yip Cheong Fun is discover how social support Tay Sin Min Glenda known for his seascapes. He Vidya Murthy captured the atmosphere of organisations in Singapore are Vincent Koh Singapore from the 1950s onwards, leveraging on our museums as but before industrialisation took a means of reaching out to the hold. Yip has won over 50 awards worldwide for his photographs, under-privileged. Learn more about including the Cultural Medallion the HeritageCares initiative (page Award (Photography) in 1984. 47), which sees museums such as

Inside Front Cover Gramophone, c. 1930s to 40s. Given to the National Museum by Mr Thomas Rim during the donation drive at the first Singapore Heritage Week, 1986. Collection of National Museum of Singapore. Read more about the first Singapore Heritage Week on page 40. INSPIRED BY OBJECTS IN THE TANG SHIPWRECK GALLERY & THE CONTENTS SCHOLAR IN CHINESE 04 10 18 FEATURE COVER STORY INTERVIEW CULTURE GALLERY : BEDOK HERITAGE TRAIL: TRANSFORMING Singapore’s Kampong A Glimpse of JUNK INTO AT THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM on the Frontier the Seaside Town NATIONAL TREASURES: of the Past 30 Years of Heritage Outreach

To celebrate the opening of the Tang Shipwreck Gallery & the Scholar in Chinese Culture 23 28 33 Gallery, MUSEUM LABEL FEATURE FEATURE EXHIBITION has collaborated with Arch A JOURNEY NANYIN: CELEBRATING RADIO: Singapore to specially design THROUGH TIME: a unique range of handmade An Evolution in Singapore Sounds from the Past accessories and stationery. Remembering Dakota Crescent These beautifully designed (A Community Project by pieces draw inspiration from Dunman High School) the rich art associated with the lives of the literati and the culture of the imperial courts of China. The items from the 39 44 47 Scholar in Chinese Culture FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE range will be on sale at the 50 YEARS AND COUNTING: A FRAGMENT OF HISTORY: ENGAGING DIVERSE MUSEUM LABEL shop at the Tracing the History of COMMUNITIES: Asian Civilisations Museum. Ancient Legend of the National Day Parade the Singapore Stone Showing HeritageCares! 50 54 57 FEATURE GRANTS SHOWCASE BOOK REVIEW CULTURE, KOPI AND KUEH: A LABOUR OF THE EURASIAN Specially-Curated Museum PALATABLE LOVE: COLLECTION: Experiences for the Elderly 25 Hawker Classics Unveiled Of Artefacts and Family Heirlooms 59 62 65 EDUCATION ASEAN HERITAGE EVENTS LISTING ARMCHAIR TRAILS: HERITAGE IN ILOILO CITY: WHAT’S ON AVAILABLE AT FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Heritage at Your Fingertips A Tale of Love, Loyalty and Asian Civilisations Museum National Museum of Singapore A NEW LINE Nobility in the Philippines 1 Empress Place, Left Lobby 93 Stamford Road OF MUSEUM LABEL Singapore 179555 Singapore 178897 MERCHANDISE Saturdays to Thursdays | 10 am to 7 pm Mondays to Sundays | 10 am to 6.30 pm Fridays | 10 am to 9 pm FEATURE PULAU UBIN

01 “In the past, we villagers practised gotong royong. We worked together. Neighbours came together to help each other.” Ahmad does not speak English but he understands the language of a thirsty person. The drinks he sells are not overpriced. These men are part of a small community of residents who live on Pulau Ubin, Singapore’s kampong (“village” in Malay) island off the northeast coast of Singapore. The story of Pulau Ubin is 02 intimately tied to Singapore in the 01. Panorama of Pekan Every morning, 64-year-old Mr Quarry, 2014. way of a metropolis and its frontier. Courtesy of John Quek Kim Kiang checks the tools The British claimed Pulau Ubin Kwok. of his trade, a pair of hooked (then spelled Pulo Obin) on August 02. Mr Quek Kim Kiang poles, before he heads out to the 4, 1825 when John Crawfurd led catching crabs. mangroves. There he wades into an expedition to the island from SINGAPORE’S Courtesy of John knee-deep waters to catch mud Kwok. Singapore, which the British had crabs by hooking them out of their colonised only six years earlier. mud holes. He is careful to make Crawfurd hoisted the Union Jack KAMPONG ON sure that the crabs are not injured on the island and with a 21-gun or broken in the process. If the crab salute, claimed Pulau Ubin and the caught is a juvenile, it goes back to small community of woodcutters the mangroves. there as part of the British Empire. THE FRONTIER Pulau Ubin was later described as an Ahmad Kassim is 80 years old and important island that commanded Text by John Kwok he lives away from the mangroves. the entrance of the “highway for all His home is a large wooden house vessels trading to China and the Far that his father built during World East”. War II. He has added a shop to his home and sells drinks to visitors. In an effort to combat piracy on the Recalling life in the village, he says, Johor Straits in the early 1850s, the Photo on this page Boat and fishing platforms just off the coast of Pulau Ubin, 2014. Courtesy of John Kwok. - 05 - FEATURE FEATURE

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03 colonial administration encouraged were cleared for cash crop Malay settlers to colonise the island cultivation. Coffee, nutmeg, with tax-free land incentives to pineapple, coconut, tobacco and prevent pirates from using the island rubber plantations were opened as a hideout. Another wave of Malay up on the island but only rubber settlers came in the 1880s from the remained profitable. Together with River in Singapore to settle granite quarrying, these became 07 08 around the coastal kampongs such the pillars of the island’s economy. The 1950s also marked important across Singapore. By the 1980s, 05. A Chinese festival at the Tua Peh Kong temple, 1992. Courtesy of as Noordin, Mamam and Petai. Not all the people in Ubin were milestones in Pulau Ubin’s history. granite quarrying operations were National Archives of Singapore. These settlers became fishermen. involved in granite quarrying or The first educational institution, starting to fold up due to the rubber cultivation. Coffee shops and 06. A Chinese opera stage performance By 1847, Pulau Ubin was settled Bin Kiang School, was established drop in demand for local granite. during the Tua Peh Kong festival, by the Chinese who started private provision shops were opened across in 1952 to provide education to the Rubber cultivation on Pulau Ubin 1992. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. quarrying companies on the island the island to cater to the needs of island’s children, and a maternity also declined in the 1980s as the to quarry granite and feed the the quarry and plantation workers. and child health clinic was set up in soil was exhausted and plantations 07. Street scene of Pulau Ubin, 1992. Boat operators started ferry services 1957. Both reflected the increasing were no longer profitable to run. Courtesy of National Archives of demand for stone as the colony of Singapore. Singapore expanded. Later in the to connect parts of the island needs of the island’s growing The loss of these economic pillars together as the mangrove swamps 08. Vacated Bin Kiang School, 1992. 04 1850s, the colonial administration community. saw many people leaving the island. were impassable on foot. This was Courtesy of National Archives of 03. A view of Pulau established large-scale granite The population fell to 1,000 people Singapore. Ubin during the Tua an important service as the Tua Peh Population growth on Pulau Ubin in the late 1980s and by the mid- Peh Kong Festival, quarrying operations on Pulau Kong temple, the focus of religious reflected the island’s economic 1990s, the population of Pulau 1992. Courtesy of Ubin for the construction of the development. In the 1970s, National Archives of Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra life on Pulau Ubin, was located at Ubin was approximately 400. By Singapore. the main town on the island. It was Pulau Ubin had a population of 2001, the population fell to below Branca, the , the 2,000 to 4,000 people as granite 04. View of abandoned Causeway, Pearl’s Hill Reservoir, only after the introduction of prawn 200 and it has remained that way fish farms along farms to Pulau Ubin in the 1950s quarrying reached its peak, due ever since. Jalan Ubin, near Fort Canning and its reservoir, and largely to the formation of the the entrance to the the Singapore Harbour. that many of the swamps were NParks Sensory Trail, drained, linking up the different Housing & Development Board Pulau Ubin’s population decline 2015. Courtesy of At the turn of the 20th century, in 1960 that started large-scale and loss of economic significance John Kwok. parts of Ubin and making most of large tracts of land on the island the island accessible by foot. housing development projects should not be taken as a sign of

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11. Mr Quek returns after a successful catch, October 7, 2015. Courtesy of John Kwok.

12. Mr Ahmad prepares a coconut to be served, 2016. Courtesy of John Kwok.

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Mr Quek Kim Kiang Mr Ahmad Kassim NHB’s year-long Pulau Ubin Cultural Mapping Project, concluded in April 2016, Mr Quek Kim Kiang settled in Pulau Ubin Mr Ahmad Kassim and his wife reside included a 25-minute documentary titled sometime in the late 1980s when the permanently on Pulau Ubin. He arrived "Life on Ubin". The documentary presents population on the island was in decline. on the island with his father and his six Unlike other residents on Pulau Ubin, Mr siblings during the Japanese Occupation the memories and experiences of current Quek alternates between living in a house of Singapore. He remembered that life and former residents of Pulau Ubin, and on the island and on a fishing platform during the war period was difficult and can be viewed on NHB’s new heritage anchored just off the southern coast. The their diet consisted mainly of tapioca. That portal, Roots.sg. 09 &10. The wildlife of fishing platform is a reminder of his past was until the Japanese offered him and his Ubin – Hornbill spotted near the as a fisherman. These days he catches family some work and they were paid in Police Post (top) more crabs than fishes. He uses traps and rice. However, as Ahmad recalled: “When and a pair of wild boars (above), hooked metal poles to catch freshwater we got the rice, we sold it to the Chinese. 2016. Courtesy of mud crabs on the island’s mangrove We took the money and went gambling.” John Kwok. 10 swamps. When the war ended, Ahmad remembered failure. The island continues to play commuting residents, but visitors celebrations is no longer practiced Mr Quek is keenly aware of the impact of the Communists taking over from the an important role at Singapore’s who wish to experience the island’s in Singapore. While vestiges of Japanese on the island. They came with frontier. The former quarry sites natural and cultural heritage. They Pulau Ubin’s tangible past − the human activities on Ubin’s ecosystem. He machine guns, pistols and bayonets. have been reclaimed by nature and come to experience the rustic way former maternity and child health recalled an incident when he encountered However, after a week, the British returned transformed into large lakes. The of life – the kampong life – that clinic, the Tua Peh Kong temple, someone who caught a small-sized to the island and chased the Communists jungle and mangroves have grown can no longer be found anywhere abandoned fish farms and quarries, crab and he confronted him. The person out. into the abandoned plantations in the metropolis. For example, and kampong houses reminds us of responded: “If I don’t catch it, someone else will.” Mr Quek continues to catch creating secondary forests and the annual Tua Peh Kong festival Ubin’s history, the stories of local Ahmad also remembers a time when his crabs in a sustainable manner, releasing enabling wildlife to return to the celebrated on the island is a six-day residents like Mr Quek and Mr fellow villagers used to call him Ahmad juvenile crabs that he catches that are too island. The island is now colonised festival featuring processions, Ahmad continue the story of Pulau Janggut: Ahmad the Bearded. Today, his by species of bats, herons, hornbills Ubin as the living kampong on small back to the wild. He has also taken opera performances, lion dances, family and his brother’s family are the only and crabs that are no longer found Singapore’s frontier. on a ten-year-old apprentice who is eager mediumship and getai (live stage ones left in Kampong Melayu. in Singapore. performances more popularly to learn the skills of a fisherman. Thousands of people travel to Pulau associated with the Hungry Ghost Ubin every year, not as workers or Festival). Such a long duration of

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01. Restaurant by the 03. Cartographer Manuel sea at Bedok Rest Godinho de Eredia’s House, which was map of Singapore located at the current showing Sunebodo junction of Bedok (known today as Road and Upper East Sungei Bedok), BEDOK Coast Road, c. 1940s. 1604. Courtesy of Courtesy of Long Bruxelles, 1881 to 82; Beach Seafood. p. 61, National Library Board, Singapore 02. Example of a Malay 2015. bedoh. Collection of National Museum of 04. Hua Yu Wee Singapore. Restaurant, 2016. Courtesy of National HERITAGE Heritage Board.

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02 04 Sun, sand and palm trees have Hotel – a place where children which is what it first began as. defined Singapore’s eastern coast could really grow up by the sea.” Heritage blogger Yeo Hong Eng for over a hundred years. Before remembers: “As soon as we moved the extensive land reclamation Bedok was one of the earliest there, acquaintances were forged. project that began in the 1960s, the documented places in Singapore, There was the fishmonger, Mr Lee A GLIMPSE OF seashore was right outside many of as seen from a 1604 map referring Tng, from market… the houses still seen today, including to Sungei Bedok (Bedok River) as His well constantly supplied the the popular Hua Yu Wee restaurant, Sunebodo. As to how the name neighbours with cool refreshing which retains its original steps that came about, one view is that it water. He invited us to use his well THE SEASIDE derives from the Malay word bedoh, used to lead to the beach. The water which we did until we got a wooden drum formerly used to East Coast of the first half of the portable pipe water.” issue the Islamic call to prayer. TOWN OF THE twentieth century was what we now Another links Bedok to the word Kampong Bedok was situated at know as Bedok and its surrounding biduk, a riverine fishing boat. the crossroads of Bedok Road and areas. Singapore Memory Project Upper East Coast Road and is an contributor Bernard Han shares: Bedok grew around the river and area still affectionately known PAST “Before was the coast as a series of villages. as Bedok Corner. Ronald Ho, reclaimed, the beach used to be Each village had its own unique who was born there, shares his Text by Ruchi Mittal along Marine Parade Road, just story. Chai Chee’s name refers in memories: “It was the best days of behind the courtyard of the Grand Hokkien to a vegetable market, my life living in Bedok Village… Photo on this page Bedok Beach ( Beach / today), 1940s. Collection of National - 11 - Museum of Singapore. COVER STORY COVER STORY

05. Bridge over Sungei Bedok, 1926. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

06. A kampong (“village” in Malay) at Bedok Corner, early-mid 20th century. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

07. Tanah Merah Kechil, 1930s. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

08 09 made their living from this water- kampongs united to put out the fire: side advantage. Fishermen would “I remember everybody from the haul their catch of local fish such neighbourhood came out to help 05 as scad, wolf herring and mackerel the fire brigade and firemen because we owned nothing of luxury but Tanah Merah, also part of the larger from the shore to Market for they had a bit of difficulty getting we led a most colourful childhood. Bedok in the past, literally means sale. Others toiled the land, farming the water. It was sad because it was From climbing trees searching for “red cliffs” in Malay, referring tapioca, vegetables, and collecting during the festive season.” fruits to attempting to swim in the to the seaside cliffs of reddish coconut and nipah palms. Harvests Seaside and water activities were sand mines at Koh Sek Lim Road, clay-like soil that characterised the were then transported via old our afternoons were never lonely or area. Heritage blogger Jerome Lim part of the area’s recreational Changi Road to nearby Chai Chee highlights. Bedok Beach (the dull.” reflects: “Marked by a landscape for sale. that would seem out of place in the coastal stretch from Upper East Bedok of the past included Siglap, Coast Road to Bedok Corner) was Singapore of today with its terrain Along these low-lying areas, floods which also comes from the Malay the site of holiday accommodations that undulated with cliffs that however were a frequent occurrence. word si-gelap (“dark one”), likely and restaurants. This lifestyle was overlooked the sea, the area was Former Siglap resident Felicia Goh refering to either an eclipse at the enjoyed by residents and visitors decorated with gorgeous seaside 10 shares: “Whenever there were heavy 06 time of its founding or the thick 08. Seawall in Bedok from across the island and even villas and attap-roofed wooden huts along Nallur Road, canopy of coconut trees in the showers, we would have to watch out overseas, who visited the beach of coastal villages that provided a 2016. area. The village’s founder was Tok for floods and bring our furniture for picnics, recreational fishing, laidback feel to the surroundings…” Lasam, believed to be an Indonesian 09. Residents waiting for to the second floor. It was fun for swimming and kolek (small wooden In stark contrast, the Tanah the flood to subside royal fleeing from the Dutch. us kids as we could play water boat of regional origin) racing. Merah area was also fortified with in Bedok, 1954. Today his tombstone is located in Collection of Ministry officially!” Fire, too, did not spare Dance parties by the beach were artillery guns and pillboxes from of Information and Siglap. Mrs Rita Fernando speaks these areas. In a 1962 blaze, 500 said to have been organised for all which soldiers could shoot enemies the Arts. Courtesy of kampong of her experiences living in the National Archives of Siglap residents saw their to enjoy. Writing in The Straits approaching from the sea. village: “For us, I would say there Singapore. ravaged by flames on Chinese New Times in 1978, T. F. Hwang shares: Year’s day – the result of firecrackers really was no difference in race. We Surviving fragments of old seawalls 10. Yip Cheong Fun. “I remember the early 1950s where did not even think of ourselves as tell of the evolution of the east’s Amidst the Nets. landing on flammable attap roofs. the annual Bedok-Siglap boat East Coast, c. 1940s. Long-time resident Goh Chiang races were major pesta [“carnival” Singaporeans then, because we were character and physical landscape. Collection of National 07 just emerging from colonial rule. Two of these seawalls can be found Gallery Singapore. Siang shared that affected families in Malay] events, culminating We just lived as kampong people behind Elliot Walk and along Nallur had to be resettled to temporary at the end of the day in Bedok and neighbours and we shared Road today, indicating the former housing nearby. Former bank with community joget [a dance of whatever we had.” coastline. As Bedok was close to the officer Aloysius Leo De Conceicao Malaccan origin], dancing under sea, it was not surprising that many also recalled how the neighbouring coconut trees by the sandy beach.”

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16. Artist’s Impression of Bedok Integrated Complex (actual development may differ) Courtesy of People’s Association.

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16 the new generation HDB towns town, particularly for me because we were exhausted. It was fun and a that was planned as a total living I work at the airport… You can great adventure for a kid.” environment. Residents, largely really get a good night’s sleep here. Development of the area continues, former farmers and fishermen, were There are no mosquitoes!” 14 15 with HDB’s Remaking Our also able to find new employment In the 1960s, land scarcity prompted with commercial and industrial 11. By the early 1970s, 14. Boat race at Bedok, While older residents recall Heartlands (ROH) project that has flats like these 1963. Collection with big industrial companies the kampong days, the once again transformed the Bedok the government to embark on major interests in one area. By the 1970s, were built in Chai of Ministry of like Matsushita, Hitachi and Fuji, land reclamation exercises. The kampongs began to make way for Chee. Courtesy of Information and the younger generation has fond town centre through an integrated Chai Chee Citizens’ Arts. Courtesy of whose factories were located in the modern flats and industrial parks, memories of the stretch of East complex, redeveloped hawker extensive East Coast Reclamation Consultative National Archives of area. Bedok’s connectivity with the and villagers were offered new flats Committee. Singapore. Coast created through land centre, sporting facilities, and a Scheme, which commenced in rest of Singapore increased with in surrounding areas. At the time, reclamation. Singapore Memory town plaza that includes a heritage 1966, was undertaken by the 12. Automatic conveyer 15. Corona typewriter the completion of the 36-kilometre Chai Chee was the only urban belt and earth manufacturer’s Project contributor Cassandra corner supported by the National Housing & Development Board Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) in residential estate in the otherwise spreader at the factory at No. 7 Lee recounts: “To me, my Heritage Board. (HDB) as its largest venture at Bedok coastal Bedok Plain, 1974. 1980 linking both ends of the still rural, eastern region of reclamation site, Collection of Ministry neighbouhood constitutes of ECP that time. Hills at Siglap, Bedok island. Singapore. Mah Eng Siong, one of 1966. Courtesy of Information and (East Coast Park) because the route and were levelled using of the Housing & the Arts. Courtesy of fully mechanised bucket wheel Chai Chee’s first residents, recalls: Development Board. National Archives of Bedok resident Keith Tan towards it holds a very special place “By then, our family house (in the Singapore. remembers moving into a high-rise in my heart. I will always remember excavators and an automated 13. Firemen battling the conveyer belt transported the sand kampong) was very crowded. There blaze at Kampong flat in Bedok South: “When we first my cycling trips with my dad… to the reclamation site. This project were a lot of problems with so many Siglap, 1962. moved, I was excited – you get to On those weekly Sunday trips, I people living so close together. It felt Reproduced with eventually added 1,525 hectares permission from see such a nice view over the east would cycle behind my dad, taking of land stretching from Bedok to good to move to my own house.” The Straits Times coast.” Resident Mahat Bin Ariffin, in all the sights and sounds from © Singapore Press . It aimed to combine Completed in the early 1980s, Holdings Limited. also appreciated the comforts of the our house to ECP. Sometimes, we high density housing development Bedok New Town was one of new flats: “It’s a most convenient would cycle as far as we could, until

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If you are keen to discover more about Bedok and the East Coast’s rich heritage, set out on the Bedok Heritage Trail. Simply pick your first site from the trail map and follow the many way-finding signs to navigate your way around the trail. Enjoy your adventure!

Heritage Sites

Bedok Heritage Corner

Chai Chee

Siglap, Frankel Estate & Opera Estate

Former Coastline

Jalan Puay Poon

Seafront Homes & A Holiday Lifestylee

Military Landmarks in the East

Kampong Bedok

Simpang Bedok & Koh Sek Lim

Fengshan Estate

- 16 - - 17 - INTERVIEW TRANSFORMING JUNK INTO NATIONAL TREASURES 01

03 MUSE SG spoke to Juliana Lim, who organised the very first Singapore Heritage Week in 1986 and coined its slogan – “Your Junk could be our National Treasure”. Singapore Heritage Week emerged from the recognition that the Singaporean public had much to contribute to heritage, and equally importantly, that museums ought to preserve the stories of ordinary people, not just the national narrative that speaks of international events and the political development of a nation. It has been exactly 30 years since that event, which has evolved, through many incarnations, into the very popular Singapore Heritage Festival today. Tell us how you got into the arts. Enjoying the work a lot, I followed Upon graduation, I joined the the Cultural Affairs Division Singapore Administrative Service, into the Ministry of Community where I was rotated across ministries Development (1985) and Ministry like Education, Communications of Information and the Arts 02 and National Development. (1990) after which I was appointed 01. Interviewee Juliana 03. Traditional games General Manager, Singapore Arts Lim, who oversaw stall with gasing the first Singapore (Malay for “top”) In 1981, I was posted to the Centre Limited (1992) to develop Heritage Week. demonstrations on Ministry of Culture where I The Esplanade Theatres. Courtesy of Tan the grounds of the anchored the visual arts and music Ngiap Heng. National Museum, So how did Singapore Heritage 1986. Courtesy of portfolios. It is unimaginable 02. Singapore Heritage National Archives of how much we did then with so Week come about? Week Press Singapore. Conference at few staff and such limited funds. In 1985, the Ministry of 30 YEARS OF National Museum Every year, we organised a slew of Community Development Lecture Theatrette, 1986. Collection three-week long festivals including (MCD) was established. At the of Ministry of the National Music Competition, Cultural Affairs Division, my job HERITAGE Information and the Drama Festival, the Festival of Arts. Courtesy of included oversight of the heritage National Archives of Chinese Instrumental Music and departments (National Museum, Photo on this page Singapore. the Singapore International Festival Oral History Department and OUTREACH People contributing documents and artefacts during the walk-in donation drive of Arts. National Archives) and the at the National Museum, 1986. Courtesy of National Library. At one of our Text by Ruchi Mittal National Archives of Singapore.

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04. Some of the objects collected at the Singapore Heritage Week donation drive, 1986. Courtesy of Juliana Lim.

05. Porcelain Steamboat Pot. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

07 06. People contributing 07. Traditional food and artefacts during the craft stalls at the walk-in donation National Museum, drive, including the 1986. Courtesy of gramophone featured National Archives of on the inner cover, Singapore. 1986. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.

04 monthly meetings with the four Singapore Heritage Week kicked off departments, then Deputy Director on Friday evening but for the team, of National Archives, Lim Guan the much-anticipated highlight was 06 Hock, wisely observed that “… Walk-in Donation Day. All day Library). They assessed the objects heart-warming to watch the (wo) was once a “dumping ground” for people are moving out of their long on Sunday people streamed and decided what to accept and the men in the street streaming in, under-performers. I was offered kampongs [“villages” in Malay] into in, offering us their previously- agency at which it would best serve not complaining about the queue, alternative postings but chose to HDB [Housing and Development loved items, shyly asking: “Would a purpose. befriending other donors, and all stay in the arts for over 20 years Board] flats and they’re throwing this do? This one, can or not? ” What would you say was one of eager to entrust their objects to even though money and support away everything.” The Singapore We were humbled and touched. the event’s main highlights? the care of trustworthy heritage staff were very limited. My career Heritage Week was the response As it turned out, no one gave us agencies. stagnated, with zero promotion. 05 The highlight of the event was the to this observation. On the one “junk”. We collected interesting Finally, a sympathetic boss advised: The donor of the steamboat, Mrs Winnie Walk-in Donation Day but the There was a festive community air hand, we had a tiny acquisition items like World War Two ration “At the interview, don’t talk about Lee said, “The steamboat was from my most dramatic moment was at the on the museum’s grounds. 7000 budget and on the hand, people cards, Chinese-Malay dictionaries, the arts. If it had mattered, you granny’s time. I was only four years old Friday evening opening ceremony, visitors thronged the museum that were throwing things away. So, we an agreement for the sale of a child would have got your promotion when our Guest-of- Honour week, some of whom had never been dreamt up a way to catch what they bride and Baba literature books. then. They used it often. But granny died long ago.” How right he was! I Encik Zulkifli Mohammed (then there before. That weekend, whole discarded. in 1940 at the age of 72 and since then it’s got a promotion for six months of Was there any particular item Political Secretary of Community families came, including my mum been in a showcase. administrative work, guided by that really stood out for you? Development) cut a bunch of and my children. There was a sense The first Singapore Heritage Government manuals. Easy-peasy My mother kept it and I kept it. Then when balloons with a 19th century keris of belonging to a larger community Week was actually a ten-day event The item I loved most was a 1940s compared to arts administration (Malay dagger). It was quite a thrill and a common purpose. Looking organised by MCD with the four white porcelain steamboat set as I read about Heritage Week, I thought it where we had used our ingenuity to to watch the colourful balloons back now, I think this was an early departments. The museum staged I’d never seen such an elegant was better to give it to the museum. If not, raise funds and inspire volunteers. float up to nestle in the National version of “crowdfunding”. an exhibition What We Collect steamboat. it might get broken.” I suspect arts administrators still Museum dome. to show the kinds of objects we You’ve been engaging people in feel challenged today but there were interested in collecting. All Did you accept all the objects that the arts and cultural landscape were offered? How was your experience of is a world of difference now, with week long, traditional food and Heritage Week? for many years, how has the multimillion dollar festivals around games stalls dotted the museum We accepted about 450 objects landscape changed over the past We all felt satisfied that we manage the year. grounds selling kueh tutu [steamed in all. Representatives from all 30 years? cake delicacy], dragon-beard four departments were present to grow our limited collection with What do you think about the so many gifts. Also, that the event The art and heritage calendar is so candy and games like congkak and that weekend – Lim Guan Hock different platforms of heritage had created awareness of what proliferant today compared to the gasing [Malay for “tops”]. We also (National Archives), Susie Koay outreach today, such as the the community could do and the 300 events we managed in a year in organised the competitions like and Loh Heng Noi (National Singapore Heritage Festival and significance of simple household Construct my Family Tree to engage Museum), Tan Beng Luan (Oral the 1980s. Postings in the arts are Heritage Trails? items to social history. It was students. History) and David Tan (National now “glamour postings” whereas it

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08 09 11 08. Zulkifli Mohammed 10. People contributing (then Political documents and I make a point of driving my 92- objects like pots and pans also give Secretary of artefacts during the year-old mum now and then, to a sense of reality, of what one used Community walk-in donation CHJIMES where she schooled and Development) at the drive at the to be and what life in a distant past opening ceremony, National Museum, took sanctuary during WW2, St was like. I think it’s disorientating 1986. Reproduced 1986. Courtesy of Peter & Paul’s Church where she not to be able to see the places with permission from National Archives of married and our former homes The Straits Times© Singapore. and feel things that one previously Singapore Press (thankfully, her teenage home and knew. The heritage agencies play an Holdings Limited. 11. Mrs Juliana Lim first matrimonial home still stand). with her family at important role in this respect, to use It gives her a sense of reality about 09. A bookmark for Singapore Heritage their collections as an opportunity Singapore Heritage Week, 1986. Courtesy her past. The cityscape between to remind individuals and Week, 1986, with a of Juliana Lim. these destinations (Benjamin logo designed by Sheares Bridge, Gardens by the communities of shared moments Text by Dr John Tay, former and give them a sense of place and Head of Design at the Bay) is totally surreal to her. If REMEMBERING DAKOTA Tay Sin Min Glenda, National Museum. she had felt that we thought she belonging. Exhibitions, festivals The chains of ring and trails are good platforms to Cao Yixuan and figures represented had imagined her glory days living the four main races in a cottage with garden on Bukit these ends. CRESCENT Foo Toon Siang and cultures of Singapore with their Timah Road or watched tiny fishes I think the SG50 campaign flushed Images courtesy of traditional, cultural swim beneath the pier of her uncle’s and historical links out old memories and objects in Mdm Ho Su Siew and seaside home, these (A COMMUNITY PROJECT and heritage, as well much the same way as the first Mdm Lim Seow Yin as the transmission outings vindicated her. Singapore Heritage Week. I think of these across generations. So I think it is important to it made older Singaporeans feel at BY DUNMAN HIGH Courtesy of Juliana home and very proud. Singapore Lim. preserve parts of Singapore, to encourage heritage trails, especially was theirs again. Even if it was a to allow our aged to reconnect with different Singapore, they could SCHOOL) the reality of their past. Sensorial claim that they were part of the Photo on this page experiences from eating traditional Singapore that was. A resident's photo of the iconic dove playground at foods and the handling of familiar Dakota Crescent, 1980s.

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03. Dunman High School 05. Posing with the students with residents of Care & Singapore’s YouTube Friends Centre, 2016. sensation – Mr Tok Tok Man, 2016.

04. A sign that states “please do not throw cats here” hangs flimsily on some pipes outside a flat, 2016.

04

01 01. The Dakota Crescent estate with its uniquely designed flats, 2016.

02. Iconic dove playground remains at Dakota Crescent, 2016.

02 03 05 We had never thought that Dakota school, Duman High School. We INTERESTING then continued to astonish us with interviews with the senior citizens Crescent could be so full of charm. thought that it was just an old ENCOUNTERS DURING his impressive skills, like balancing living at Dakota Crescent, we Taking a stroll along the Dakota residential area where the majority OUR RECCE TRIP – MR an umbrella with a ballpoint pen! found out that there used to be Crescent Estate gave us the feeling of the residents were the elderly and TOK TOK MAN Before we departed, he even taught many older residents who kept cats. that we were stepping back in time. that the place would be, in the near a few of our classmates some magic When they moved out or passed future, under redevelopment for Our recce began with a pleasant tricks. on, the cats were abandoned. Back The precinct is currently home to other needs and plans. surprise as we were most privileged then, there were many stray cats 17 blocks of old low-rise flats built to meet Uncle Lai Kok Chuan, the around, causing inconvenience to It was only after a recce trip with PLEASE DO NOT THROW by the Singapore Improvement famous Tok Tok Man, right outside other residents and resulting in a our teachers and peers, as well as a CATS HERE Trust in the late 1950s. Prior to Tian Kee & Co, an old provision filthy environment. visit to the Care & Friends Centre embarking on this research project, shop which has been converted into As we continued to explore we would never have imagined that at Dakota Crescent that we begin a retro-style café. He demonstrated the estate, we caught sight of a THE TIME TRANSPORTER its establishment and development to realise that the area is a place of to us how to use the two tok great heritage. We suddenly found handmade sign that hung insecurely would be so deeply intertwined tok sticks he had with him and to a pair of sewage pipes. It read: We continued to Block 18 of with Singapore’s history. an emotional connection to the old- narrated to us how a noodle man Dakota Crescent, where we went fashioned cliché: “home is where “Please do not throw cats here” (we would announce his arrival in the hoped not literally)! up to the highest floor that the lift In the past, Dakota Crescent had the heart belongs.” olden days. He even gave each of could take us (6th floor) to admire not meant much to us. We only us his name card – a slip of paper To the dismay of our cat-loving the scenery. We were careful not knew it as the name of an MRT with a YouTube link – so that we teammates, we did not see any cats to overload the lift as its capacity station and an estate near our could find out more about him. He while we were there. Through our was five persons or 340 kg, almost

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06. These lifts were installed in 1958, the same year that the Dakota Crescent flats were built, 2016.

07. Mdm Lim Seow Yin at her Dakota Crescent unit, 2016.

08. Mr Billy Koh shares about growing up in Dakota Crescent and returning home after spending almost 20 years working abroad, 2016.

09. Mdm Lim Seow 06 Yin's son standing in floodwaters during the 1990s.

07 08 09 half the load of newer HDB lifts. come almost every day to chit-chat We came to know that there used the previous Tian Kee & Co owner, irreplaceable. He revealed: “I have discover to their horror that there The lift was so old that we hardly or play mahjong (a Chinese game) to be two rows of two-storey shop Mr Lim Han Tian. As his shop lived here ever since I was four. were small crocodiles lurking in trusted it would still be in good and card games to keep their minds houses at the current Dakota was on the ground level, many of Growing up here, I have developed the water. On a lighter note, stories working condition, but after some active. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Residence. Other than the local his goods such as sacks of rice and sentimental feelings for this place, were also shared about parents periodic metallic-sounding groans, they do some workout exercises to King’s Shoes Manufacturing, there refrigerators were destroyed. a sense of familiarity and love – taking their young children cycling it did its job and brought us safely keep fit. was also another shoe shop, Lim Dakota Crescent is my childhood around the estate, and to the now- to our destination. Images of its Kee, in the area. We learnt from Mr Billy Koh, who eventually sweetheart!” iconic dove playground to play. wooden-panelled walls and unique The senior citizens were very friendly Mdm Lim Seow Yin, whose father returned to Singapore after buttons (we could not find any and warmed up to us quickly. used to own the shop, that he used working overseas for close to 20 Having heard so many opinions and All of the residents interviewed button to close the lift door) are Many of them have stayed here to make shoes inside his shop and years, chooses to continue living at thoughts, we have grasped a better mentioned that Dakota Crescent deeply imprinted in our memories. since 1958, witnessing the various paid his workers a salary of $30 a Dakota Crescent. He said: “There understanding of the history and is a place they hold dear to their changes to their surroundings. month. will be a place to settle in after heritage of Dakota Crescent. We hearts. MEETING THE LONG-TIME We had many questions to ask passing many destinations in life, realise that Dakota Crescent not RESIDENTS OF DAKOTA them, such as: “How did Dakota The senior citizens also told us about because only that place [Singapore] only gives off a retro vibe but also Crescent get its name?”, “How did CRESCENT the floods they witnessed, and the can truly give me a sense of displays a nowadays rarely seen side you manage to get this flat?” and inconveniences these caused. In a belonging. I grew up together with of Singapore. It possesses a unique The senior citizens at the Care & “Were there any interesting shops photo shared by Mdm Lim taken Singapore, witnessed it evolving, history that should be known to all Friends Centre were exercising in this area previously?” The senior in the 1990s, she remarked on how changing and eventually turning Singaporeans. when we arrived on a hot and humid citizens actively participated in one of her sons was standing by a half a century old.” Tuesday afternoon. Mr Roger Neo, the discussion and answered our wall with the water up to his knees. Residents also shared about the the manager of the centre, greeted questions with enthusiasm and Mr Koh thinks that Dakota times in the past when they used us with a big smile and explained vigour. They also helped clear many The floodwaters also caused much Crescent plays an important part to go down to the River that most of the senior citizens here doubts and questions in our minds. damage and brought great loss to in Singapore’s history and feels it is to catch fish and crabs, only to

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Text by Joen Goh

Images courtesy of Siong Leng Musical 01 02 Association 01. Siong Leng Musical In today’s fast-paced Singapore, it is NANYIN AND LIYUAN Association innovates with hard to imagine ancient art forms OPERA contemporary like Nanyin (南音) and Liyuan (梨 stage and musical 園) opera taking root and finding Nanyin (“southern music” in arrangements of Chinese) is a music genre which Nanyin, featuring a following among youths. Yet a traditional Singaporean group in their 20s originated as court music during instruments with the Han Dynasty in China, more cross-cultural faithfully immerse themselves in elements. Soul this world of centuries-old musical than two thousand years ago. As Journey – Cicada civil unrest over the years uprooted Zen (蝉。息) instruments such as the dongxiao performed at and sanxian, and slow, melodious nobles and musicians from the Esplanade Theatre singing in Southern Min dialect. Central Plains, Nanyin took root Studio, July 2012. in the southern coastal area of 02. Gong Che Pu (工尺 “Nanyin is soothing and calming… Quanzhou in Fujian province. 谱) scores showing and not something youngsters in unique Nanyin music Singapore would chance upon In recent centuries, Nanyin notations from the followed the Chinese diaspora and book Nanyin – Music easily,” highlighted Joel Chia, one of of the South, 2002. the seven principal musicians in the spread to other shores. It reached Siong Leng Musical Association. Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, where The original tone of instruments, large groups of people of southern tunes, lyrics and vocalisation Chinese origin reside. are carefully preserved through scores and scripts, via a teacher- Nanyin remains close to its most apprentice system. Watching a traditional form, with music, lyrics Nanyin performance today is and instrumental performance similar to watching it in ancient methods originating from Song China. Nanyin is often nicknamed and Tang Dynasty periods. the living fossil of ancient Chinese Traditionally, Nanyin is performed music and was listed as an Intangible by five musicians, with the vocalist seated in the middle and holding Photo on this page Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Hymn to the Fallen (国 UNESCO in 2009. a clapper to set the beat. On the 殇)from Soul Journey left, two musicians would play the Nine Songs (九歌。意象), performed at Esplanade dongxiao, a bamboo flute, and the Theatre, August 2015. erxian, a two-stringed fiddle. On

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03. An ancient instrument that survived the times is the sibao, a percussion instrument consisting four pieces of bamboo that is unique to Nanyin. Illustration from Music of the South, 2004.

04. From left to right: Lin Shao Ling (Artistic Director), Teng Hong Hai (Chairman and son of the late Teng Mah Seng) and Wang Pheck Geok 06 (Executive Director), 2013.

03 the right of the vocalist, two other Nanyin and Liyuan Opera. What musicians would play the pipa, sets it apart from other traditional a Chinese lute, and the sanxian, performing troupes is that most of whose sound is one octave lower the members in the Nanyin section than the pipa. are relatively young, in their 20s, providing an interesting contrast to What makes Nanyin unique is its this ancient art form. close preservation of the art form. Thedongxiao has retained its length The charm of the old, traditional 05 07 of one foot eight inches in Nanyin, music is precisely what draws its 05. Siong Leng’s seven Lin shared. “That is why before The passion to keep the art form – a new generation and while the modern-day pipa is members together. However, being of young principal our performances at the Esplanade, alive keeps Lin and his team going. constructed with a straight neck traditional is a double-edged sword musicians being our audiences participate in a This is a spirit they inherited from groomed to lead the and held upright, Nanyin musicians for Nanyin and Liyuan Opera. association, 2013. ritual of cleansing their hands with the late Teng Mah Seng, a Cultural use a crooked-necked pipa and hold While its quiet, old-world charm flowered water, listening to music Medallion recipient and former it horizontally, like a guitar. attracts some, others find it hard to 06. The Mountain Spirit (礼魂) from and sipping tea amidst the scent chairman of Siong Leng, who was endear themselves to these niche art A natural extension of Nanyin Soul Journey Nine of incense. These allow audience a prolific Nanyin artist himself, forms. Songs (九歌。意 members to quieten their hearts composing more than a hundred music, Liyuan opera’s origins can 象), performed at be traced to Quanzhou in Fujian, Lin Shao Ling, Artistic Director Esplanade Theatre, and minds and be more ready to Nanyin songs. August 2015. experience the soothing Zen-like 04 China. Unlike Teochew, Hokkien of the association, recognises this ambience of Nanyin.” In 1983, Teng brought Siong Leng’s or Cantonese operas, Liyuan opera challenge. Bold, new directions 07. The God of the Xiang & The lady artists to compete overseas, walking is a lesser-known variety of Chinese have been taken to bring Nanyin of the Xiang (湘 To reach a bigger audience and away with a third prize in the Folk opera. It is commonly regarded as closer to the local audience. He 君)与(湘夫人) from stay in touch with older Nanyin Solo category at the 37th Llangollen Soul Journey Nine dramatised Nanyin. Preserving has experimented with the use of Songs (九歌。意 appreciators, Siong Leng keeps International Musical Eisteddfod. elements and essence of Tang and musical instruments such as the 象), performed at up an annual tradition of staging It was the first time Nanyin had Song dynasties’ Nan opera, Liyuan Indian tabla and Malay kompang to Esplanade Theatre, August 2015. three open performances at the shone on the world stage. The feat opera is one of the most ancient create fusion performances. During Thian Hock Keng Temple and a was repeated in 2010 when Siong surviving forms of Chinese opera. the 2016 Huayi Festival at the performance at . The Leng took part in the same contest Singapore Esplanade, he blended team has also conducted workshops and clinched first prize. KEEPING TRADITIONAL Nanyin and Xinyao songs. and demonstrations at public ART ALIVE libraries, and continues to hold Celestina Wang, Executive Director “We want to create a multi-sensorial of Siong Leng, was a protégé of the Siong Leng Musical Association was experience for our audience where special workshops at its Bukit Pasoh premises. late Teng. She was tasked to run the founded in 1941. Today its mission they are enveloped in a whole association after his passing, and still is to preserve, develop and promote artistic and cultural experience,”

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08. Original Nanyin 09. Soul Journey – composition and Cicada Zen (蝉。 score by the late 息) , performed at Teng Mah Seng: Esplanade Theatre Singapore, Garden of Studio, July 2012. the East (东方花园), 1982. CELEBRATING RADIO

08 09 looks to Teng’s legacy of foresight Over the years, the seven have for guidance. “Mr Teng’s undying grown to become a close-knit group. Watch Siong Leng on Youtube: spirit in promoting Nanyin and “An intimate bond and a level of youtube.com/channel/ Liyuan Opera continues to spur chemistry have built up between UCeB6bb5Z6WV-rf4szH4PYdw us to greater heights,” Wang said. the seven of us after playing Nanyin together for so many years and To keep tabs on upcoming performances, CULTIVATING THE NEXT training together,” said Cassandra check out their Facebook page at: GENERATION OF ARTISTS Wang, principal musician and Facebook.com/Siong-Leng-Musical- teacher of pipa and sanxian at Siong For Wang, her key challenge is Association-141656159188926/ to keep this cultural endeavour Leng. going. “In five to 10 years, we need LOOKING AHEAD a new generation of musicians and instructors to take the association Lin strives to produce quality further,” she said. contemporary Nanyin presentations that Singaporeans will come to The current hand-picked team know and appreciate. He shared: of seven young local musicians, “It is also my hope that Siong Leng including Wang’s two sons, were can take Nanyin and Liyuan opera selected to join the association into the international scene. Even during their teenage years. For the more pressing is the transmission SOUNDS past seven years, they have been of culture, which must happen journeying to China for intensive together with the passing of the art training with Nanyin masters. Photo on this page to the next generation.” Image of the interior of a Back at Siong Leng, they are also FROM house showing a family and taking up roles in administration It is this dedication to heritage and their Rediffusion set, c. 1950s. culture that makes Siong Leng Collection of National Museum and marketing even as they of Singapore. prepare for performances Musical Association a treasured THE PAST throughout the year. organisation in Singapore. Text by Vidya Murthy and Jermaine Huang - 32 - EXHIBITION EXHIBITION

01. Vocalion 02. Cathay Cinema on Phonograph, Aeolian Handy Road, 1938 to Co., London, 1939. Collection of c. 1920s. Aeolian Co., National Museum of London. Collection of Singapore. National Museum of Singapore. 03. Permit to listen to the wireless radio issued in , 1942 to 1945. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

04. Permit to listen to medium wave radio Parents and teachers, engage your little issued by the Syonan ones in a conversation about radio! Municipality, 1942 to 1945. Collection of National Museum of • Do you have a radio at home? Singapore. • Do you or your family members listen to the radio? • What radio stations do you or your family members listen to? • Who is your favourite radio broadcaster? Why? • What are your favourite radio programmes? Why? • Why do you think people listen to the radio? What makes you say that? 02 graduola, a cable that allowed the The BMBC studios were located volume to be controlled from a within the Cathay Building on distance. Handy Road, which was designed 01 by Frank Brewer. The building With the government’s decision to also housed a cinema, hotel and Radio, when it first arrived, Listening to the radio was a AMATEUR EXPERIMENTS issue broadcasting licenses, radio produced a unique acoustic space common pastime for children from (1930s TO 1940s) services became more structured restaurant, and was Singapore's and created a new aural experience. the 1950s to 1970s. Children’s and regulated. The British Malaya tallest building in the 1940s. Its Radio broadcasting in Malaya history intersects with that of Like other colonial technologies programmes included educational Broadcasting Corporation (BMBC), 03 began as an amateur, experimental such as the gramophone and storytelling, song dedications, a private company based in radio, as news about the advancing and private endeavour. In cinema, it created a new and radio plays and live performances Singapore, started medium wave Japanese was announced from the Singapore, there were the Amateur distinct form of entertainment by young artists. In a specially transmission in 1937. However, BMBC studios. During the war, Wireless Society of Malaya (1924 to in Singapore. Besides broadening designed interactive space within the onset of World War II created the Japanese took over the building 1928) and Radio Service Company people’s imagination, radio also the exhibition, children will enter another set of challenges. and used it for its Broadcasting, of Malaya’s ZHI (1933 to 1936). created a vast community – one the immersive environment of Propaganda and Military a broadcasting room. Engaging Besides news bulletins and talks, the MEDIUM OF CONTROL Information departments. that crossed the boundaries of age, ZHI broadcasted both gramophone ethnicity, gender and nationality. through imagination and drama, (1940 TO 1946) During the Japanese Occupation children can role-play a radio and live music from local dance (1942 to 1945), the function of 04 Celebrating Radio: Sounds from the halls. Both the British and Japanese broadcaster, read stories aloud and radio changed. More than a source Past thematically charts some of governments understood radio’s make song dedications. Outside Invented in 1877, the phonograph of power, it was also a medium the significant phases of Singapore’s ability to reach large audiences. the broadcasting room, parents and or gramophone is a device that to control the population. Radio broadcasting history, from the 1930s A new department to publicise children can design their own vinyl allows both the recording and Britain’s war efforts and dispel became the chief means to spread to 1980s. The audience is treated to records or make vintage radio boxes reproduction of sound. Pictured enemy claims was created in 1939. the Japanese language, through a rich soundscape comprising live for a donation of $2. They can also here is a phonograph produced The government purchased BMBC which listeners were persuaded to commentaries, folk theatre, jingles, try their hand at creating sound by the Aeolian Company. These in 1940, renamed it Malayan accept the larger cultural superiority music, slogans, stories and speeches, effects. Aeolian phonographs usually Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), of Japan. which complement the narrative. came with a patented feature – the and enhanced radio facilities.

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07 08 10 RADIO FOR DEVELOPING The persuasive power and reach Malaysia was created, with its (Singapore) Pte Ltd started its 08. Carl Gibson-Hill. 10. HMV radio, c. 1930s SOCIETY (1946 TO 1959) of the media was utilised by the Image of the to 40s. Collection of headquarters based in Kuala services in 1949, broadcasting Rediffusion building National Museum of fledgling government under the The nature of broadcasting in Lumpur, while Radio Singapura entertainment materials in Malay, on Clemenceau Singapore. People’s Action Party. As early as remained here. In that same year, English, Mandarin and Chinese Avenue, c. 1960s. Singapore changed after British 1957, one of the Party’s founders, S. Collection of rule was restored. To fight threats Television Singapura was launched dialects. National Museum of Rajaratnam, wrote a six-part radio as Singapore’s first television station. Singapore. from various insurgents, radio was play titled A Nation in the Making. In order to generate finances used to spread political awareness, After independence in 1965, Radio 09. Emouzy console This dialogue-based play was aired Singapura and Television Singapura for broadcasting, commercial radio with turntable, as well as inform and educate the c. 1950s. Collection of on Radio Malaya and articulated merged to form Radio Television advertising was introduced wider population. Farther out, Rajaratnam’s views on Malayan in 1960. In 1980, RTS was National Museum of villages, estates and tin-mining Singapura (RTS) as a department Singapore. identity. In 1961, Singapore’s then under the Ministry of Culture. renamed Singapore Broadcasting 06 areas began to experience radio. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Corporation (SBC). As a statutory 05. The Battle for Merger In 1946, the government formed wrote and delivered a series of 12 board, SBC was tasked with – a compilation of the Pan-Malayan Department of VOICE OF THE NATION transcripts of Lee weekly talks on the topic of merger, (1960s TO 1980s) providing information, education Kuan Yew’s radio Broadcasting, known on air as which was broadcasted in English, and entertainment. Radio services talks, 1961. Collection Radio Malaya. The Singapore- of National Museum Malay and Mandarin. Radio played a major role in were augmented to include FM of Singapore. based station provided programmes shaping postcolonial Singapore. stereo services, a new Radio for the entire Malay Peninsula. Radio was instrumental in The multilingual nature of radio Programmes Division and 06. Learn Malay with On January 1, 1959, the Singapore educating listeners about Malay, Radio Singapura, programming in Singapore programming adapted to nine Book 2. Collection of station was renamed Radio the national language. Malay was strengthened vernacular traditions, channels in English, Mandarin, National Museum of Singapura, while the Federation’s meant to foster a common identity Singapore. particularly in drama and music. Malay and Tamil. services continued to be known as among Singaporeans. The Ministry Programmes often highlighted 07. Take a Chance Radio Malaya. of Culture published a multilingual local experiences and attempted to TRANSISTOR RADIOS contestants inside booklet containing 16 lessons that Radio Malaya's articulate the Singapore identity. Transistor radios altered the way studio, 1952. RADIO AND NATION were broadcast from April 11 to Traditions such as storytelling were radios were used. While large Collection of BUILDING (1959 TO 1965) June 1, 1960. National Museum of also facilitated by radio. Several radios encouraged families to Singapore. Radio in postcolonial Singapore After Singapore’s merger with well-known Rediffusion storytellers gather and listen to programmes served as a stage for political theatre Malaysia in 1963, broadcasting turned the dramatisation of written together, portable transistors were and facilitated nation building. services were reorganised. Radio text into a fine art. Rediffusion sources of personalised leisure. As

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11. Siera (世乐) calendar 12. Philips transistor featuring popular radio, c. 1950s to entertainment 60s. Collection of appliances, 1965. National Museum Collection of of Singapore. Gift of National Museum of Mrs Pansy E Vishun. Singapore. 50 YEARS AND COUNTING

12 mass produced items, they were introduced listeners in Singapore to affordable. Compact radios with jazz, rhythm and blues, swing, and simple controls and attractive rock and roll. Listening to these casings became favoured consumer musical styles encouraged young

11 items. This was until portable people to create local bands and cassette and CD players that offered produce original content. better sound quality emerged in the 1980s. The Celebrating Radio: RADIO AND POPULAR Sounds from the Past exhibition runs till MUSIC July 17, 2016 at the National Museum of Broadcasting both local and Singapore, Salon, Level 1. international music, radio in Singapore inspired many to make music. Their songs were in turn popularised on the radio, producing several local celebrities. One of the most successful local shows TRACING THE was Radio Malaya’s Talentime. First aired in 1949 and hosted HISTORY OF THE by Kingsley Morrando, the show became a popular platform for local NATIONAL DAY talent. In the 1950s, the popularity Photo on this page of radio and the invention of National Day procession PARADE at Chinatown, c. 1960s. the electric guitar in America Collection of National Text by Jan Chen Museum of Singapore.

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02 01 01. National Day Parade The National Day Parade (NDP) was evident in the NDP celebrations 1966 at the Padang – marchpast by the is an annual celebration of as Singapore had her first state flag Guard of Honour Singapore’s independence. It is also flypast in 1970. In 1974, the parade contingent. Yusof Ishak Collection. a platform for Singaporeans from was broadcast in colour for the first Courtesy of all walks of life to come together time. In 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, National Archives of Singapore. to celebrate the nation’s milestones 1982 and 1983, NDP celebrations and achievements while rallying were decentralised and were ourselves in preparation for the more informal and casual. This future. This article traces the many allowed more people to catch the firsts and highlights of NDPs over performances and parades on-site. the past 50 years. In the 1980s, National Day songs made their debut with songs such Singapore’s first NDP was held in as Stand up for Singapore (1984). 03 04 1966, a year after being separated Separately, Singapore’s impressive 02. National Day Parade 03. National Day Parade 05. NTUC float at the from Malaysia. In the 1960s, 1968 at the Padang – 1968 at the Padang National Day Parade military displays grew continually close-up of members – Cadet Corps girls’ at the Padang, all the parades were held at the and advanced technologically. of combined schools contingent marching 1982. Collection of Padang, which is one of the reasons band, including the along St Andrew’s National Museum of Since 1986, parade spectators have young Prime Minister Road. Collection Singapore. that the Padang is still an iconic enjoyed atmospheric effects created (left of Ministry of historical landmark in Singapore. through laser beams, lights and row, holding clarinet). Information and the Collection of Ministry Arts. Courtesy of The military displays and marching projections. of Information and National Archives of parades drew spectators young and the Arts. Courtesy of Singapore. old, regardless of the weather. This As Singaporeans came together National Archives of in 1990 to sing One People, Singapore. 04. National Day speaks of the nation’s strength, Parade 1974 Second progress and unity. One Nation, One Singapore in Rehearsal at the celebration of Singapore’s 25th Padang – flypast. Collection of Ministry The 1970s was a decade that saw a birthday at The Padang, they also of Information and the Arts. Courtesy of surge in industrial development and saw, for the first time, a sea review 05 National Archives of technological advancement. This of our defence on water. NDPs in Singapore.

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11. National Day Parade 12. Spectators at the 13. National Day 2007 at Marina Bay – Golden Jubilee NDP Parade 1990 at the President S R Nathan at Padang watching Padang – aerial on ceremonial Land the F-16 fighter view of contingents. Rover. Collection jets forming the Collection of Ministry of Ministry of number "50" as part of Information and Information and the of the Republic of the Arts. Courtesy of Arts. Courtesy of Singapore Air Force’s National Archives of National Archives of salute on 9 August Singapore. Singapore. 2015. Courtesy of Singapore Press Holdings.

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10 11 12 06. Flower girls at 08. National Day Parade 09. The Colours Party the 1982 National 1983 at and Guard of the 1990s were filled with much The past 50 years for Singapore 07 Day Parade at the – Guest-of-Honour Honour contingents spectacle. Particularly memorable have been a swift march of growth Padang. Collection of Dr Ahmad Mattar, marching into the was the 1994 NDP "night parade" and confidence, with these changes National Museum of Acting Minister parade area, 2007. Singapore. for Social Affairs Collection of Ministry that started later than usual at reflected in the choreography of reviewing the of Information and 7.15 pm. our parades. National Day is not 07. Singapore Armed parade. Collection the Arts. Courtesy of just a day for Singaporeans to Forces armoured of Ministry of National Archives of NDPs in the 2000s were vastly vehicles at the Information and the Singapore. celebrate their nation’s birthday, it 1982 National Day Arts. Courtesy of different from the ones before, is also a day when Singaporeans set Parade at the National Archives of 10. National Day Parade reflecting the changes and progress Padang. Collection of Singapore. 1990 at the Padang aside everything to celebrate their National Museum of – President Wee Kim the young nation had made. In achievements, and look back with Singapore. Wee reviewing the NDP 2002, there was a grand pride at the nation’s growth from parade. Collection toast to Singapore’s NEWater. The of Ministry of year to year, recalling key national Information and the shift from the National Stadium moments that will stay in their Arts. Courtesy of to The Float@Marina Bay in 2007 National Archives of hearts and minds. Singapore. was also a key event for Singapore. That year, Singapore saw the first ever NDP on water with 13

08 Singapore’s skyline providing the backdrop. NDP 2015, however, was Singapore’s grandest NDP to date, with the nation celebrating its 50th birthday. Year-long celebrations marked the golden jubilee, which was termed SG50.

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01. Manuscript version of the Sejarah Melayu, 1896; the earliest known version was written in 1612. Collection of National Museum of A Singapore. 02. Cover of a book titled Si Badang, 1950s to 60s. Collection of National Museum of FRAGMENT Singapore. OF HISTORY

01 02 At the heart of the kingdom that called this land home sits the myth of the Singapore before us. To me, it is fascinating Stone and strongman Badang, a that a physical piece of this nearly mysterious legend from Singapore’s five hundred-year-old legend still past found in the Sejarah Melayu survives, yet its stories are not (Malay Annals), a chronicle of the already common knowledge to us. Malay courts of Singapore and The story of the Singapore Stone Melaka from the 14th to 16th holds important clues to what centuries. life was like in Singapura before Raffles, and allows us to extend Most Singaporeans are probably our knowledge and appreciation unfamiliar with the story of the of the very long journey that our Singapore Stone, and I myself island has traversed. The possibility was no exception. With the of Singapore having its own local popularisation of Western stories ancient tales worth retelling spurred such as fairy tales from the Grimm me to find out more about the Brothers, Singapore’s rich cultural myths surrounding this mysterious reservoir of folklore and legends stone and Badang. might seem to pale in comparison. They are, however, worthy of THE STRONGMAN ANCIENT holding their own. Many other BADANG notable folk stories are also found in the Sejarah Melayu, such as the The earliest record of the story of LEGEND OF THE legend of , as well as strongman Badang can be found the founding of Singapura by Sang in the Sejarah Melayu, which is still Nila Utama. considered a fundamental text of Photo on this pagege Malay history today. Fragment of the Singapore Folklore is not only a great source SINGAPORE STONE Stone currently on display According to one version of the at the National Museum of of entertainment, but also provides Text by Sharon Ng Singapore, 10th to 14th century. insight into the culture, traditions, folklore, Badang was a slave who Collection of National Museum values and even language of the worked to clear the forest for his of Singapore.

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03. Drawings of three fragments from the Singapore Stone, from Laidlay's 1848 article in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. ENGAGING The last fragment (labelled Fig 3) is now on display at the National Museum of Singapore.

04. Part of a wall mural in Fort Canning Park depicting warriors in 04 Ancient Singapura, DIVERSE 2007. Courtesy of William Cho.

05. A map of Singapore showing the location of Rocky point, where the Singapore Stone used to stand, 1825. Courtesy of The COMMUNITIES British Library Board.

03 05 owner. One day, Badang caught the Singapore River, where it lay PRESERVING OUR a genie in his fishing net at the for a very long time and became HERITAGE Singapore River and the genie known as the Singapore Stone. agreed to grant Badang one wish in The legend of the Singapore Stone exchange for his release. Thinking THE SINGAPORE STONE serves as a reminder that economic it would help him in his work, The Singapore Stone once stood at development and modernity does Badang asked to be the strongest the mouth of the Singapore River. not have to come at the expense of our man in the land. The genie told The huge sandstone was believed to history. As Singapore steps into the Badang that he had to eat his vomit span three metres in both height and next 50 years of her independence, if he wanted strength, so Badang width. On the face of the slab were we write new chapters where ate the genie’s vomit and became 50 lines of inscription, measuring heritage and advancement co-exist very strong. He was even able to 1.5 metres in height and 2.1 metres and complement each other. While uproot trees effortlessly. in width. The inscription, which the Singapore Stone and the story could hold secrets to Singapore’s of Badang still has a fragment that Badang’s immense strength caught history, is in Kawi script and stands testimony to their legacy, we the attention of King Seri Rana contains some Sanskrit words, but may not be as fortunate regarding Wikrama and he was eventually has not been fully deciphered. The other local folklore and traditions. summoned to court and appointed Stone has been dated from the 10th Hence, it is up to us, the people the commander-in-chief of the to the 14th century, and is believed of Singapore, to preserve and army. His strength also drew to be the oldest record of writing pass down these Singapore stories the attention of other regional found in Singapore. to future generations to better Photo on this page leaders such as one of the kings in appreciate our history and heritage. SHOWING Participants and facilitators before the India, who sent his country’s own In 1843, the British blew up the HeritageCares pilot run at champion, Nadi Bijaya Pikrama, to Stone to build Fort Fullerton and the National Museum of the Malay Archipelago to compete colonial living quarters. Only one Singapore, February 21, HERITAGECARES! 2016. with Badang. The winner of the of the three fragments of the stone duel would be the one who could lift remains, measuring about 74cm in Text by Ruchi Mittal a large rock in front of the palace. width. This is currently on display at Nadi managed to lift the stone up the National Museum of Singapore Images courtesy of National Heritage Board before dropping it. Badang lifted and will be featured in this year's up the stone and flung it towards National Day Parade.

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04 05 04. A facilitator section of the Jubilee Walk trail. Another sweet moment occurred interacting with one of the younger The attendees were largely children at our last stop, the Peranakan participants over from low-income families, many Museum, which the elder son displays at the Peranakan Museum, with accompanying parents and remembered from a previous school 2016. some without. Hailing from three trip. He was really excited and eager Family Service Centres, they woke to share his knowledge with his 01 05. Participants enjoying an exhibition at the up early on a Saturday morning for parents, and distinctly remembered 01. HeritageCares Singapore Philatelic participants at the a rather unusual outing that began certain facts about objects that Museum, 2016. Fort Canning Spice at the National Museum. Here his teacher had shared with him Garden, 2016. the volunteers, including myself, previously. While the facts were 02. A participant eagerly greeted the participants and divided interesting, the more important completing the them into smaller groups that each Jubilee Walk Family thing was that they became a Time activity sheet of us would chaperone. medium for bonding between him that came with the and his parents. By sharing, he goodie bag, 2016. I accompanied a family of four, which included two young kids. The reinforced his knowledge, and gave 03. A participant 02 03 himself greater confidence in his interacting with parents had never been to a museum the exhibits at the It is often said that arts and primary aim, not to be a high- in their lives. Despite this being own competence and understanding Central Fire Station culture are the preserve of handed information-heavy teaching something I had been told to expect, of the cultural domain. Seeing Gallery, 2016. the privileged. However, the vehicle, but a platform for family it was difficult for someone such as how much the participants got out National Heritage Board, with bonding, social skills and quality myself, who frequently spends spare of this walk while also enjoying all its national museums, creates educational experiences. The time walking through the calm themselves through the entire event access for all. This is why I beneficiaries of this programme are spaces of museums and galleries, to was truly the greatest reward. feel that the recently-launched currently the underprivileged being imagine. What surprised me even HeritageCares programme, for supported by Community Chest – more was the fact that the parents which I volunteered, is such a great low-income families, people with I was with immediately removed If you too would like to do some initiative. While recognising that disabilities, youths-at-risk and the notebooks from the goodie bag our shared heritage is relevant and senior citizens. The programmes they had been given and started meaningful volunteering at HeritageCares important for all Singaporeans, it under HeritageCares are facilitated taking notes from the first gallery events, please get in touch with us at also acknowledges that its reception by volunteers who function as both we took them to. This touched [email protected]. and use may vary for different buddies and guides. me, because it was clearly their audiences, all of which are equally first opportunity to experience the valid and meaningful. Before the official launch, a pilot museum, and they really wanted to run of the programme was held, make the most of it by recording Hence HeritageCares has, as its with the route based around a their memories to take home.

- 48 - - 49 - FEATURE CULTURE, KOPI AND KUEH

01 Starting the Culture, Kopi and and health promotion. Taking Kueh pilot programme was an part in guided tours and gathering almost serendipitous process. Over feedback from our docents and the past two years, the Peranakan visiting groups also contributed to Museum (TPM) has received an the preparatory work for the project. increasing number of requests for In the beginning, it was difficult guided tours from persons with adapting the information from disability, schools for children with overseas museums to meet special needs, nursing homes and Singapore’s needs. One particular other eldercare facilities. The last issue was that many of the elderly group is a reflection of Singapore’s and their caregivers found it changing population demographics daunting to visit museums because and global trends that is only going 02 of literacy issues. In addition, 01. A session at Ling 02. A participant holding to get larger with time. caregivers who were foreigners were SPECIALLY-CURATED Kwang Home for up her self-designed Senior Citizens fan, 2015. Facing the need to provide an unfamiliar with local traditions and where participants culture. were introduced to enjoyable museum experience for Peranakan culture these mostly first-time visitors, However, the project really came MUSEUM EXPERIENCES using items such as the kebaya and batik we started reading and attending together when last year TPM tops from TPM’s courses to better understand their invited Ms Wendy Gallagher, a handling collection, 2015. Courtesy needs. We also joined several online very experienced Arts and Health FOR THE ELDERLY of Agency for forums by museums overseas to coordinator from the University Integrated Care. learn how they had developed of Manchester and the Whitworth Text by Sharon Chen programmes which address Art Gallery, to conduct a public talk community health, well-being With inputs from Charmaine Tan (Agency for Integrated Care) about her experiences in developing

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06. A visit to the Kitchen gallery provided opportunities for participants to exchange stories and cooking secrets with each other, 2015. Courtesy of Agency for Integrated Care.

04

06 cultivate better social connections view on the difference between a if time stood still and the residents with others. One shared: “Our kamcheng (a covered jar that was were young again. relationship became better and [we used to contain water and food) From this experience, we believe had] more things to discuss,” while and a chupu (a bowl with a lid used museums can make a positive another said: “[The programme] to serve soup). The joy on her face difference in the quality of people’s help[ed] me become friendly.” in that spark of newly regained self- lives, especially to these largely 03 05 confidence will forever be etched Staff, too, enjoyed the programme, underserved audience segments. We museum programmes for the Kwang Home for Senior Citizens. 03. The bag-making on our minds. activity was the with some citing that it helped would love to receive suggestions elderly. The Agency for Integrated The staff lead from the Home was most popular activity them foster a better relationship In the second cycle, there was an and feedback as we continue to for participants in Care (AIC) got wind of the public an Occupational Therapist. with their residents and peers. “I elderly participant with dementia. refine and develop programmes. talk, contacted Wendy, and the both cycles. Each The objectives of Culture, Kopi and selected their was able to understand more of Throughout the sessions, he hardly There is always more to be done and rest, as they say, is history. favourite Peranakan Kueh were for seniors to: motif and colours to their capabilities,” shared one. responded and we wondered if he collective efforts can make a bigger decorate their very Another staff member added: “[The took in anything we said. However, impact. AIC had been seeking to • Enhance social skills through own cloth bags, 2015. programme] built a stronger bond in the final session, just as he was collaborate with a museum to co- conversations inspired by objects 04. Participants sharing with the residents and also helped being wheeled onto the bus to return develop programmes that would from the museum; their knowledge me boost my confidence in the way to the nursing home, he suddenly be able to meaningfully engage the about wedding rituals This programme is among the top 20 • Express their creativity and I assist them.” Summarising, one said: “Thank you for everything.” elderly living in community care as part of their visit best practices received internationally facilities, such as nursing homes imagination through art-making to the Wedding staff member said: “Going to TPM That was the best affirmation for activities; and Procession gallery, for inclusion in the ICOM-CECA Best and senior care centres. With their 2015. is an avenue for residents to connect the programme. aim so closely aligned with TPM’s, • Access opportunities to with the community and relive the Practice 2016. Our special thanks to the 05. A nursing home past through activities related to All in all, although the nursing management, staff and residents of our a partnership was born. As part of increase self-confidence through staff discussing home residents needed more time a Peranakan the museum.” pilot nursing home site – Ling Kwang Home the collaboration, AIC helped to acquiring and fostering new to understand and respond, their identify the pilot nursing home site, skills and interactions. participant’s for Senior Citizens, for helping make this memories about In this pilot, we learned about rich life experiences and personal manage the project, and provide traditional Peranakan patience and the joy of small stories frequently added to our pilot programme possible. research and evaluation support. While evaluation of the programme weddings, 2015. is currently underway, initial Courtesy of Agency victories. These seniors are vastly joyful discussions. They recounted After three months of intense for Integrated Care. results show that the majority of different from the students and days of working in the old kitchens planning with AIC, the pilot adult visitors we have encountered pounding chilli, correcting my programme was finally delivered. participants enjoyed their sessions and would participate again, given in the museum. In the first cycle, chilli-pounding skills as we Culture, Kopi and Kueh began on the opportunity. One of them we encountered a participant who playfully gave a demonstration. July 6, 2015 and ran for 12 weeks said: "I enjoyed the activity and had suffered from a stroke and was A few nonyas in the group shared (comprising two cycles, each lasting I liked all the activities that were too shy to speak because she was about their experiences of growing six weeks). It included 30 residents done… because everything is new conscious of her slurred speech. up in a Peranakan household. There and five staff from the Rehabilitation to me.” In addition, they also spoke By the second session, she gamely was so much to learn from them and Nursing departments of Ling about the sessions helping them raised her hand and provided her about life and these stories flowed as

- 52 - - 53 - GRANTS SHOWCASE A LABOUR OF PALATABLE LOVE

From famous sayings such as: “the detailed step-by-step instructions its 25th anniversary in conjunction way to a man’s heart is through his and photographs of important with Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. stomach” to a quote taken from the techniques, but also its historic book’s foreword written by Boo background, nutritional value, A welcome addition to anyone’s Kheng Hua, Principal and CEO scientific explanation and chef’s bookshelf, it is a well-produced of Temasek Polytechnic: “it is well advice. publication for budding home chefs in the digital era. Besides easy-to- known that we Singaporeans love What home chefs and potluck our food”, it is evident that food is follow recipe instructions, you can party-goers might delight in also snap a quick photo of your oft associated with the act of love. are the alternative presentations Singapore Hawker Classics Unveiled: results to share on social media offered. There are full-page photos (with the hashtags – #homemade Decoding 25 Favourite Dishes is a of the dishes as we know them labour of that palatable love. #sgheritage #heritagefood) or alongside modern interpretations. impress your dinner guests with Supported by the NHB Grant For example, in the Light Meals interesting anecdotes such as, “in Scheme, this cookbook was first and Snacks section, there is a the olden days, chwee kueh was conceptualised in 2010 when photo of chwee kueh, a familiar made by milling aged rice…” Professor Tommy Koh, then smooth round steamed rice flour Chairman of the National Heritage cake with a small topping of Board, called for hawker dishes preserved sweet radish, served on an old-fashioned dish with a pair of Singapore Hawker Classics Unveiled: to be taught in culinary schools. Decoding 25 Favourite Dishes can be Produced in celebration of our wooden chopsticks bathed in bright found at all good local bookstores. It is culinary heritage, each of the morning light. Turn the page and chwee kueh also available at Village Café in Temasek selected recipes were thoroughly you’ll see a rectangular 25 HAWKER researched and tested by students, sandwich with minced meat and Polytechnic for a special price of $28. XO sauce displayed on an elegant staff and graduates from Temasek long grey dish! Polytechnic’s School of Applied CLASSICS UNVEILED Science’s Baking & Culinary Published in 2015, the book was Science programme. Each a double celebration for Temasek Text by Maggie Tan recipe offers the reader not only Polytechnic which commemorated

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RECIPE FOR CHWEE KUEH THE EURASIAN COLLECTION OF ARTEFACTS AND

1. Soak ingredients separately in AROMA sufficient warm water to cover. Fragrant blend of fried shallots and garlic, FAMILY HEIRLOOMS Leave for 30 minutes. and a light sesame aroma. 400 g of dried shrimps 2. Drain and chop finely, then set 150 g of preserved sweet radish aside. FLAVOUR PROFILE Slightly salty chwee kueh paired with (tian chye poh) chopped 3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat sweet and salty preserved salted radish. 150 ml of corn oil and stir-fry dried shrimps until fragrant. MOUTHFEEL 15 g of garlic peeled and minced 4. Add garlic, shallot and preserved Smooth, springy and firm yet with a melt- 15 g of Shallot peeled and minced sweet radish. Stir-fry until mixture in-your-mouth texture, with small crunchy 6 g / 1 tsp of dark soya sauce darkens and is fragrant. and chewy bits of preserved salted radish. 30 g / 2 tbsp of sugar 5. Add to pan and stir-fry for another 20 minutes. CHEF’S ADVICE 3 g / half-tsp of salt Cook the flour mixture, stirring it gently 6. Add to pan and mix well. Set aside A dash of ground white pepper and keep warm. over low heat until slightly thickened, to 15 g of white sesame seeds toasted ensure that the finalsteamed product will 7. Combine ingredients in a mixing not have a starchy taste. 120 g of rice flour bowl. 8 g / 2 tsp of tapioca flour 8. Add water and whisk well. 3 g / half-tsp of salt 9. Add boiling water and whisk well 20 g / 2 tbsp of corn oil as batter thickens. 10. Grease chwee kueh moulds with 330 ml of water oil and fill with batter. 500 ml of water boiling 11. Steam for 15 minutes. Unmould Corn oil onto serving plates. Text by Reena Devi 12. Spoon topping over chwee kueh. Images courtesy of the Eurasian Association Photo on this page A kerosang belonging to 13. Serve hot. the donor’s grand-aunt, Eliza Thomazios. Donated by Kevin N M Aeria.

- 56 - BOOK REVIEW

Produced by the Eurasian Portuguese descent paired a baju Association and launched on panjang with a sarong as daily attire. December 12, 2015, The Eurasian These donated tops were made of Collection commemorates cotton, nylon and lace respectively, ARMCHAIR Singapore’s Jubilee Celebrations. and were worn most often in the The publication features more than 1950s with a gold- or silver-plated 150 artefacts and family heirlooms kerosang. donated by over forty individuals and families from the Eurasian Aside from Asian influences in community. This commendable fashion wear, the reader is also ground-up effort culminated in introduced to the cultural melting TRAILS a book that tells the story about pot that is the Eurasian household. Eurasian history, traditions and A silver candelabrum or three-tier culture through artefacts from cake stand would not seem strange various points in history; some next to traditional woven baskets in items are more than a hundred a Eurasian home. The cake stand years old. donated by Cedric Pereira is around 01 43 cm tall and was a wedding 01. Baju Panjang, a The collection of artefacts featured present to his grandmother type of top that was typically in the book is categorised based on Margaret Augusta Klass when she worn by women of family, fashion, recreation, religion, got married in 1913. Providing a Portuguese descent, c. 1950s. Gift of Valeri wedding and war, indicating the glimpse to the Victorian times, Scully. different purposes and occasions it remained in his grandmother’s these items were most used for. residence, the grand Edmar Villa 02. The Eurasian Collection Book Through easy to read captions and at 4 Tay Lian Teck Road, until her Cover. photographs, the book provides demise. The brass breudher moulds

03. A three-tier cake the reader a first-hand glimpse into used to make cake are another stand that was a Eurasian heritage. interesting artefact. Breudher was wedding present first introduced by early Dutch to the donor’s The collection stands out because grandmother in 1913. settlers, but localised by Eurasians Gift of Cedric Pereira. the items featured represent 02 here with an Asian flavouring in the juncture of cross-cultural the form of toddy − a fermented 04. Brass breudher interaction and influences. This moulds used for coconut tree sap. making cake is clearly represented by artefacts containing toddy. Gift such as the kerosang (a three-part Through personal memories and of John Conceicao. brooch used in place of buttons interesting origins associated with to pin a blouse). Eurasian women the artefacts, The Eurasian Collection wore clothes which were very is an intimate introduction to the similar in style to the fashion of the rich heritage behind the small yet local Nonya ladies. This included influential community that has the accessories accompanying the been present in Singapore since the clothes such as kerosangs and sanggols early 19th century. which were distinctly Peranakan. This particular kerosang featured Photo on this page 03 in the book was donated by Kevin The Eurasian Collection is available Go on virtual tours Aeria. It previously belonged to his for purchase at the Eurasian Association, to places of historic grandaunt, Eliza Thomazios. HERITAGE AT significance like as well as selected Kinokuniya and ’s dragon Alongside accessories, the clothes Times bookstores. playground. featured in the publication include three different samples of Baju YOUR FINGERTIPS Panjang (long blouse) donated by Valerie Scully. Women of 04 Text by Rebekah Lim

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03. Information about 04. The Singapore River each heritage site is Walk and its featured readily available. sites which are shown in the map.

01. Read the different stories featured in Roots.sg.

02. The trails in the app are divided into different categories for easy navigation. 01 I have always been interested inaccessibility with technological in the field of history ever since advancements of today’s digital age. I was a child. Watching local Efforts are increasingly being made television dramas that are based on to create and design heritage-related

Singapore’s history like The Price mobile apps and websites, bringing 03 04 of Peace and The Journey trilogy, Singapore’s heritage closer to us. Reading through the Stories pleasantly surprised when my of prominence for something or I often wondered what it would I was recently introduced to two section, I was brought back to my doctor asked me about how she someone to be considered as part of be like to live in old Singapore. Secondary Two days when I was could get information on these Singapore’s heritage. After reading As a history major in university, new digital platforms − a website created by NHB known as Roots.sg, first introduced to Singapore’s trails. I never thought that heritage through the different trails, my I took modules that exposed me history dating back to 1819. While trails would garner much attention understanding of heritage changed. to Singapore’s dynamic past from and a mobile application developed by Keio-NUS CUTE (Connective the bulk of my peers saw history as a and the very first thing that came to Heritage does not only encompass the 1400s to its post-independence Singapore Heritage things or people that are seemingly Ubiquitous Technology for very dry and content-heavy subject, my mind was the years, but even that was not enough I found myself reading the textbook Trails app. Both Roots.sg and important, it also includes the Embodiments) in collaboration to feed my hunger to know more as if it was my favourite storybook. Singapore Heritage Trails hold a wide ordinary things that bear meaning with NHB called Singapore about what was being done to I was particularly intrigued by the collection of trails created by various and significance to people. The Heritage Trails. As I explored both preserve Singapore’s heritage. topic of the Japanese Occupation organisations and individuals, and trees featured in the NParks trails; digital platforms, I was surprised to in Singapore, and until today the sufficient information about each the various architectural forms I was therefore glad to have the find a rich collection of information stories of Elizabeth Choy, Lim Bo trail is provided for users. mentioned in the URA trails; and opportunity to intern and work about Singapore’s heritage. at the National Heritage Board Seng and Lieutenant Adnan bin As part of my job scope as a Research the delicious food seen in trails like (NHB) where I was introduced to Roots.sg is a place for online Saidi remain fresh in my mind. Assistant in NHB, I was tasked to the Food Trail, are all part Even though we had to remember of Singapore’s unique heritage. 02 numerous heritage trails, national education and discovery of heritage fact-check and organise the trails a whole lot of content as students, monuments and historic sites that content. Through stories, Roots. before they are uploaded to the especially during tests and Working on heritage trails and exist on our little island. Sharing sg brings together the National app and website. In the process examinations, I realised that it was being exposed to these two digital my learning journey in NHB with Collection, heritage trails, of checking through these trails, much easier when I linked all the platforms has enabled me to see the my family and friends made me monuments and multimedia I learnt a lot of new knowledge topics together to form a narrative usefulness of technology in bringing realise that people are generally resources in a single portal. regarding Singapore’s history, and of Singapore’s history. In fact, I feel Singapore’s heritage closer to our unaware of these heritage trails and Although I studied history, I have more importantly I gained a new that people will be able to relate doorsteps. More than this, I hope sites, and the huge pool of resources never been to many of the historic perspective of what heritage means to go beyond exploring Singapore’s more to Singapore’s history when to me. on Singapore’s heritage that are sites in Singapore such as the Bukit it is being presented in short stories heritage in the virtual world and available. “Inaccessibility” was often Brown Cemetery or Toa Payoh’s like those seen on Roots.sg. My perspective of heritage used physically visit the various historic the word used by many to explain dragon playground. I was thus to be restricted purely to events, sites for a first-hand experience of their lack of knowledge about delighted to find out that I could go Since people seem generally personalities, places and objects that our Singapore Story. Singapore’s heritage. It is, however, on virtual tours to various places of unaware of the existence of were directly related to history. To possible to counter this problem of historic value through this website. numerous heritage trails, I was me, there had to be a certain degree

- 60 - - 61 - ASEAN HERITAGE HERITAGE IN ILOILO CITY

A TALE OF LOVE,

01. The pavilion outside LOYALTY AND Molo Church with statues of six Greek goddesses, 2015. 01 Situated in Western Visayas in ILOILO: MOST LOYAL AND of loyalty to Spain during the 1896 NOBILITY IN central Philippines, Iloilo City is NOBLE CITY rebellion in Manila, the city was affectionately known as the “City of conferred the title of “Most Loyal Love”. Also going by the nickname The history of Iloilo dates back to and Noble City” through the Royal of “Most Loyal and Noble City”, the mid-16th century during the Decree of 1896. THE PHILIPPINES early Spanish colonial period. The Iloilo City boasts many attractions, from its friendly people to its Spaniards, under Miguel López de ILOILO: CITY OF LOVE Text and images courtesy of Vincent Koh Legazpi, set foot on Panay Island sparkling clean Iloilo River. For Spanish influence in Iloilo is and established a settlement in heritage enthusiasts, the breath- particularly pronounced in its many the Oton-Arevalo area. The arrival taking buildings and monuments churches and cathedrals. Besides of the Spaniards was welcomed are guaranteed to provide a love- the famous Miagao Church, two by the local Madya-as people as at-first-sight experience, especially other religious monuments that allies against external invaders when you come face-to-face with are worthy of a visit are the Molo from neighbouring kingdoms and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Church of St Anne and the Jaro sultanates. of Miagao Church, which is one of Cathedral. The Molo Church of St the four famous Baroque Churches Under Spanish rule, Iloilo became a Anne is a famous Spanish colonial of the Philippines. key economic centre, witnessing an church and heritage site situated in economic boom in the 19th century the Molo District. Built in a Gothic as a result of its developing sugar style, the church was constructed industry in an era where sugar was in 1831 and is known for its red in high demand. Iloilo was granted spires that crown its bell towers, as Photo on this page Façade of Molo Church in city status in 1889. As a result of the well as a pavilion housing six Greek Iloilo, 2015. local elite’s support and affirmation goddesses. Known throughout the

- 63 - ASEAN HERITAGE WHAT’S changing space. Co-curated with VAN CLEEF & ARPELS: THE Japan’s teamLab, Future World features ART AND SCIENCE OF GEMS 16 cutting-edge digital installations ArtScience Museum that immerses visitors into a world of playful possibilities, where they will be ON Ongoing to August 14 taken on an adventure of exploration. 10 am to 7 pm (6 pm last admission) $17 for adults, $12.80 for senior For more information, please visit citizens and students, and $10 for marinabaysands.com/museum.html children (2 to 12 years old). DAILY Admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents is $10 for adults, $8.50 for senior citizens and students, and $6 for children (2 to 12 years old). Exploring the worlds of exquisite jewellery and their links to minerals, Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art and Science of Gems exhibition will showcase over 400 stunning creations from Van Cleef & Arpels and 250 minerals from the French National Museum 02 03 of Natural History Collection. Philippines as “the feminist church” Heritage House, also known as 02. Façade of Jaro Cathedral with stairs due to its all-women statues of Nelly’s Gardens. Built in 1928 leading up to the For more information, please visit saints along the aisle pillars, the by an Ilonggo statesman and his statue of Our Lady of THE EURASIAN EXPERIENCE marinabaysands.com/museum.html the Candles, 2015. Molo Church of St Anne offers a wife, the house was named after TOUR @ EURASIAN EXHIBITION: FUTURE 03. Façade of Nelly’s picturesque view, especially on a their eldest daughter, Lilia Lopez HERITAGE CENTRE Red Dot Design Museum Garden, said to The Eurasian Association clear and sunny day. y Hofileña. It was nearly burnt resemble the White Ongoing to November 30 to the ground during World War House, 2015. 9 am to 6 pm In contrast to “the feminist church”, 11 am to 8 pm II by Filipino guerrillas, but the Closed on Mondays the Jaro Cathedral features an $8 for adults and $4 for students Beaux-Arts mansion, with its $15 for adults (Minimum 20 pax) and senior citizens all-male ensemble of saints on its grandiose architecture, was spared columns. This is the second national The Eurasian Experience Tour This exhibition showcases more than when a squad of Japanese soldiers (duration of 1 hour 30 minutes) offers 200 award-winning futuristic design shrine in the Visayas and was first arrived just as kerosene was being constructed in 1874. It underwent an immersive experience of Eurasian concepts from some of the most poured over the property. Today, restoration works in 1956 after an culture, through the informative talented designers and innovative the descendants of Lilia Lopez y guided tours of the three galleries, earthquake in 1948 destroyed the companies. Many of these ideas could Hofileña continue to manage the participation in a traditional folk dance FUTURE WORLD: WHERE cathedral. Built with Romanesque one day be made available to us for stately white mansion that is open and sampling of a Eurasian delicacy. ART MEETS SCIENCE improving our lives. Sneak a peek into revival influences, the cathedral to the public and whose exterior Groups need to call to make a tour ArtScience Museum the future and see how it may evolve as has a distinctive set of stairs at has been described as bearing a booking at least two weeks in advance. 10 am to 7 pm (6 pm last admission) these design concepts open your mind the front façade of the cathedral, resemblance to the White House. For more information, please $17 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and to how we might commute or interact leading up to a statue of Our Lady $10 for children (2 to 12 years old). with each other in the near future. of the Candles. Together, these Thanks to its history as a centre visit eurasians.org.sg Admission for Singaporeans and Permanent For more information, please religious monuments represent the of religious-political power during Residents is $14 for adults, $11 for senior visit museum.red-dot.sg extent of Christian influence in the Spanish colonial period, Iloilo citizens and $7 for children (2 to 12 years old). the Philippines during the Spanish City is today a city full of heritage Ignite your creative spark in an exciting colonial period. monuments and buildings that and fully immersive digital universe. make it a worthwhile destination In addition to majestic churches, ArtScience Museum’s landmark for heritage enthusiasts and tourists permanent exhibition, FUTURE WORLD: Iloilo City also features numerous alike. heritage houses. One of these Where Art Meets Science aims to inspire your imagination in an ever- heritage houses is the Lopez

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Shakespeare’s time, historical Tudor EXHIBITION: TODAY GUIDED TOUR OF EAT era replicas and animal specimens. Red Dot Design Museum AT TJ EXHIBITION For more information, please Ongoing to July 31 National Heritage Board visit spm.org.sg 11 am to 8 pm Foyer, Level 1, Taman Community Club $8 for adults and $4 for students Ongoing and senior citizens Monday to Friday I 3 pm to 9 pm Every one of us possesses a multitude Saturday | 10 am to 9 pm of different objects, and each of these Sunday | 10 am to 6 pm objects represents our everyday Closed on Public Holidays BETWEEN HERE & NANYANG: preferences and product culture. Free admission MARCO HSU’S BRIEF HISTORY In this exhibition, you will explore Join the free guided tours of Our OF MALAYAN ART different areas of daily life and how Museum @ ’s new NUS Museum design makes a difference. Also, exhibition and learn more about ACTIVE MOBILITY: WALKING Ongoing to August 28 check out some of the products Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm the social history and heritage & CYCLING TO THE FUTURE @ that were recently awarded in the of Singapore’s food culture and Monday | Visits by appointment LAND TRANSPORT GALLERY for schools and faculties only Red Dot Award: Product Design. how the various hawker centres FROM THE STACKS: Land Transport Gallery Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays EAT AT TJ: OUR HAWKER of Taman Jurong have evolved For more information, please HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL Ongoing to August CENTRES AND FOOD HERITAGE over time and remained significant In 1963, Marco Hsu, art critic and visit museum.red-dot.sg LIBRARY EXHIBITION 9 am to 5 pm National Heritage Board to the residents of Jurong. columnist, published a series of essays National Library of Singapore Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays Foyer, Level 1, Taman Jurong Community Club on the cultural history of the people of Gallery, Level 10 For more information, please visit Free admission Ongoing the Malayan Peninsula, later published EXHIBITION: CONVEY Ongoing to August 28 facebook.com/OMATTJ or email Monday to Friday I 3 pm to 9 pm Come learn about the efforts as the book – A Brief History of Malayan Red Dot Design Museum 10 am to 9 pm [email protected] Saturday | 10 am to 9 pm undertaken by LTA in working towards Art. Presented on the 50th anniversary Ongoing to July 31 Free admission Sunday | 10 am to 6 pm of the book’s publication, this 11 am to 8 pm achieving a greener future and an Documents, publications and Closed on Public Holidays exhibition features art and artefacts $8 for adults and $4 for students inclusive society in Singapore by Free admission referred in the book to highlighting and senior citizens photographs from Singapore’s early cultivating a car-lite society and days reveal fascinating insights into Eat at TJ: Our Hawker Centres and Food ultimately, a culture of Active Mobility. questions of identity and nation- Whether consciously or unconsciously, our history and culture. Discover early Heritage is a showcase of the social The exhibition features the need for building raised on the eve of merger. you would have seen, heard, read, Singapore from a fresh perspective history and heritage of Singapore’s food a push towards walking and cycling, For more information, please touched or even participated in a through over 100 highlights from the culture and how the various hawker related policies and programmes, visit museum.nus.edu.sg variety of advertising campaigns, National Library’s collection of rare centres of Taman Jurong have evolved education efforts, enforcement on brochures and media. Learn the design publications, manuscripts, documents, over time and remained significant to cycling rules and norms and most of persuasion through the compelling maps, photographs and more. the residents of Jurong. Through the importantly, proposed redevelopment messages created by some of the memories of residents, this exhibition Receive a complimentary souvenir plans and infrastructural changes to best designers and design agencies will explore areas such as the hawker when you visit the exhibition! towns to encourage Active Mobility. in the world. Exhibition: Convey culture prior to the establishment of For more information, please represents the best of communication For more information, please hawker centres, hawker centres as a SHAKING IT WITH SHAKESPEARE visit lta.gov.sg/ltgallery/ design from editorials, websites, visit nlb.gov.sg/exhibitions/ social space for the local community Singapore Philatelic Museum posters and TV commercials. and food as a form of cultural identity 14 May 2016 to 15 January 2017 that defines Singaporeans. 10 am to 7 pm For more information, please $6 for adults and $4 for children visit museum.red-dot.sg For more information, please visit (3 to 12 years old). facebook.com/OMATTJ or email Free admission for Singapore Citizens [email protected] and Permanent Residents. “WHO WANTS TO REMEMBER Celebrate the life and times, and A WAR?” WAR DRAWINGS the enduring legacy of the world’s AND POSTERS FROM THE greatest playwright, William AMBASSADOR DATO’ N. Shakespeare. This activity-based and PARAMESWARAN COLLECTION fun-filled exhibition invites families NUS Museum, Ng Eng Teng Gallery to uncover nuggets of information Ongoing to January 2017 about the literary giant. View over Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm 400 stamps and philatelic materials Monday | Visits by appointment issued by 70 countries, century- for schools and faculties only old picture postcards, books from Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

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This exhibition of artworks produced Through the motifs of spacing and the 1970s with significant expansion in For more information, please Learn why the Fort was built, during the period of the Indochinese difference, this exhibition features the 1980s under the newly inaugurated visit museum.nus.edu.sg discover life as a soldier, and and Vietnam Wars (1945 to 1975) works produced by the artist Ng Eng National University of Singapore (NUS). explore preserved underground draws from the one of the largest Teng between 1958 and 2001. The ammunition stores and WWII-era For more information, please privately-held collections of the title of the exhibition takes as its point guns. Experience the Fort with our visit museum.nus.edu.sg genre. The works were collected of reference a series of sculptures guides in our 90-minute walking tour. by Dato’ N. Parameswaran during developed by the artist during the 1990s. The tour will retrace the historically his appointment as Ambassador of For more information, please preserved remains at the fort to Malaysia to Vietnam, stationed in visit museum.nus.edu.sg discover the purpose of the various Hanoi, between 1990 to 1993. These DOUBLE VISION fortified structures and the guns were the middle years of Doi Moi; the NUS Museum, NUS Centre For the Arts they serve, ending with a visit to period of Vietnamese economic reforms Ongoing to July 31 RESOURCE GALLERY the Surrender Chambers to witness begun in 1986 that aimed at bringing CONCRETE ISLAND | PREP-ROOM Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm NUS Museum, Resource Gallery the two historic surrender moments about socialist market liberalisation. NUS Museum, NX3 Monday | Visits by appointment CHINESE INK WORKS FROM Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm that changed the life of the people Ongoing to November For more information, please for schools and faculties only LEE KONG CHIAN COLLECTION Monday | Visits by appointment of Singapore during WWII. Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm visit museum.nus.edu.sg Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays OF CHINESE ART for schools and faculties only Monday | Visits by appointment Maximum group size of 20 Free admission Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays for schools and faculties only NUS Museum, Lee Kong Chian Gallery guests for each tour. Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm Double Vision is an exhibition of video Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays The Resource Gallery provides an For more information, please works and artist films inspired by the Monday | Visits by appointment Taking as its points of departure encounter with the NUS Museum’s visit .com.sg affinities between the Philippines and for schools and faculties only collections and their histories as an J.G. Ballard’s novel Concrete Island Vietnam due to American warfare Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays open-storage display. Objects are (1974) and Tan Pin Pin’s film80km/h in the Pacific. While serving as a (2004), this project features works and With works from the Qing Dynasty as a organized to accommodate material base for American expansion in the documents guided by the metaphor of starting point to introduce the general categories, area classifications, as region, the Philippines also stood as Singapore as a “concrete island”. It history of Chinese ink traditions, this well as contingencies of collecting proxy in filmic re-enactments of the proposes to think of this city as less a display goes on to explore its evolution and its strategies. Their roots lie in Vietnam War. Manoeuvring media built environment, than a condition of in Chinese art history, as well as its the shifting curatorial positions and and representation, war and human movement, exchange, and intensities. development outside the mainland. museum practice since the mid-1950s, FIVE TREES MAKE A FOREST relations, works ranging from archival Besides paintings by Singaporean with the formation of the University NUS Museum footage to hand-painted animation For more information, please artists, from the to the of Malaya Art Museum in 1955; and at Ongoing to September 4 unpack the impact of war on the psyche. visit museum.nus.edu.sg contemporary, the current display also the Nanyang University, and the Lee Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm highlights the pioneering achievements Kong Chian Art Museum in 1969. For more information, please SURRENDER Monday | Visits by appointment of Singaporean artists in their visit museum.nus.edu.sg For more information, please CHAMBERS for schools and faculties only innovation of a longstanding art form. visit museum.nus.edu.sg Siloso Point, Sentosa Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays For more information, please 10 am to 6 pm, last admission at 5:30 pm Donna Ong presents the history visit museum.nus.edu.sg $6 for adults and $4.50 for of image-making towards the children (3 to 12 years old). tropics in Singapore through an Admission for Singaporeans and interpretative synthesis of scientific ARCHAEOLOGY LIBRARY Permanent Residents is $5 for adults and journals and travelogues composed NUS Museum, Archaeology Library $3.50 for children (3 to 12 years old). in colonial times. The installation is Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm Relive the fall of Singapore 70 years a landscape that would define the CHINESE ART COLLECTION FROM Monday | Visits by appointment ago when the British surrendered to imaginary illustrations of the tropics THE LEE KONG CHIAN MUSEUM for schools and faculties only the Japanese troops. The Surrender and would present an alternative NUS Museum, Lee Kong Chian Gallery Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays Chambers gallery at Fort Siloso colonial site prompted by 18th and Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm Bringing together finds from past and features two significant surrender 19th century books and manuscripts, Monday | Visits by appointment 1+1=1: NG ENG TENG newer excavations from Fort Canning in FORT SILOSO GUIDED TOUR ceremonies in Singapore during and excerpts from diaries written in for schools and faculties only Singapore to Changsha in China, these WWII. Go back in time and experience colonial Singapore, among others. NUS Museum Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays Siloso Point, Sentosa Tuesday to Saturday | 10 am to 6 pm finds from the pre-colonial and colonial 11:30 am and 2 pm (effective August 1) these surrenders with our guided The Chinese Art collection consists For more information, please Monday | Visits by appointment periods sample the materials produced $20 for adults and $14 for commentary available every 30 minutes. visit museum.nus.edu.sg of bronzes, ceramics and paintings, for schools and faculties only and used in Singapore and beyond. children (7 to 12 years old). For more information, please gathered to represent the expansive Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays Further, as part of an evolving body Admission for Singaporeans and visit sentosa.com.sg history of Chinese art. The nucleus of of artefacts, they provide a glimpse Permanent Residents is $15 for adults this collection was established and into the dynamics between material and $10 for children (7 to 12 years old). developed at the Nanyang University in culture and history, and its making.

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National Day Calligraphy and Painting supplied by professional photographic For more information, please one-hour tour, guests will be introduced Exhibition is held to celebrate our firms in place of maps and Singapore visit nlb.gov.sg/golibrary to the history and architectural features nation’s independence. To rekindle and was home to several such firms. In this WEEKLY of the House, and experience visiting a commemorate the spirit of the very talk, writer Gretchen Liu will introduce Straits Chinese family home in a 1920s first art exhibition held by the then the main photographers and discuss setting, furnished with heirlooms from Ministry of Culture in 1969, this annual their contributions to Singapore’s visual its previous owners and other donors. event invites visual artists to share heritage. This talk is in conjunction BY Free guided tours five times a their practices while celebrating with with From the Stacks: Highlights of WEEKEND TOUR OF FROM APPOINTMENT week, limited to 13 participants the joyous juxtaposition of traditional the National Library Exhibition. THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS OF ONLY each. Email babahouse@nus. and contemporary artworks. A wide THE NATIONAL LIBRARY For more information, please edu.sg to reserve spaces. range of calligraphies and Chinese National Library of Singapore NATIONAL STUDENTS’ visit nlb.gov.sg/golibrary CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION 2016 ink paintings, paintings of oil, acrylic, Gallery entrance, Level 10 watercolour and various mixed media Ngee Ann Cultural Centre Every Saturday and Sunday until August 28, are on display. What better way GUIDED SCHOOL TOURS OF Ngee Ann Auditorium 1 pm to 2 pm, to celebrate National Day than to FROM THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS July 23 and July 24 except for public holidays (English) indulge oneself in a visual feast? OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY Free admission Every Saturday until August 27, For more information, please 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, National Library of Singapore The National Students’ Calligraphy visit ngeeann.com.sg except for public holidays (Mandarin) Gallery, Level 10 Competition is open to all Primary, Free admission (by appointment only) Free admission (by appointment only) Secondary, Junior College and Polytechnic students in Singapore. Join in our docent-led tours to explore Guided school tours can be arranged HERITAGE FOOD TALK & the rich treasures of Singapore’s for students to engage in fun Our objective is to provide a platform COOKING DEMONSTRATION NATIONAL STAMP COLLECTING for students from different schools published heritage from the collections learning through a special edition PRESERVE/CONSERVE/RESTORE: National Library of Singapore COMPETITION 2016 to showcase their talent and learn of the National Library and discover of From the Stacks: Activity Booklet STUDIES AT 157 NEIL ROAD Possibility Room and Courtyard, Level 5 The Plaza, National Library from each other. Through this fascinating stories from our past. on Singapore History, a curated NUS August 19 and August 20 I 10 am to 8 pm competition, we hope to promote August 6 Limited to 20 participants, on a guidebook that features puzzles, Free admission (by appointment only) 2:30 pm to 4 pm August 21 I 10 am to 6 pm first-come-first-served basis. illustrations, maps and photographs. Chinese calligraphy and foster a greater The initiative seeks to tap the under Free admission Free admission The guidebook is tailored to allow awareness of this traditional art form explored potential of 157 Neil Road as an For more information, please real-time application of the 5W1H amongst our younger generation. Join former chef and restaurateur, View the exhibition of winning entries asset for engaging with the disciplines visit nlb.gov.sg/golibrary approach of Information Literacy (IL). Winning works will be exhibited Aziza Ali, in this interactive session from this year’s National Stamp of urban development and technical alongside those of prolific as she shares about the food from Collecting Competition, NSCC 2016. Interested schools can email conservation of built heritage. The Singaporean artists in the National her childhood as well as traditional The annual competition is organised [email protected] for more gallery is repurposed as a laboratory in Day Calligraphy and Painting Malay heritage foods. Participants by Singapore Philatelic Museum and details. For more information which a few studies run simultaneously, Exhibition from 11 to 21 August can also look forward to a cooking supported by the Ministry of Education. please visit nlb.gov.sg/golibrary presenting field notes, test results, demonstration by Aziza using illustrations, images and artefacts. 2016 at Ngee Ann Exhibition Hall. NSCC aims to promote the study of MONTHLY some of her family recipes. For more information, please postage stamps and philatelic materials Free guided tours five times a visit ngeeann.com.sg This talk is in conjunction with to learn about Singapore and the week, limited to 13 participants From the Stacks: Highlights of the world. Participants from primary and each. Email babahouse@nus. National Library Exhibition. secondary schools, present exhibits edu.sg to reserve spaces. using stamps, philatelic products For more information, please and narratives on a theme of their CURATOR’S TOUR OF FROM visit nlb.gov.sg/golibrary choice. They are conferred with THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS OF Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. THE NATIONAL LIBRARY National Library of Singapore PICTURING THE PAST: 19TH- The NSCC 2016 exhibition will Gallery entrance, Level 10 NUS BABA HOUSE showcase specially selected winning CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS July 15 | August 19 NUS Baba House philatelic displays. Come and be awed OF SINGAPORE 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm Free admission (by appointment only) National Library of Singapore by the beautiful philatelic materials Free admission Now conceived as a heritage house NATIONAL DAY CALLIGRAPHY Imagination Room, Level 5 depicting Independence, Zodiac, Join in our curator-led tours to facilitating research, appreciation and AND PAINTING EXHIBITION 2016 August 20 Insects, Underwater World Creatures, Sports, Countries, History and more. explore the rich treasures of reflection of Straits Chinese history Ngee Ann Cultural Centre 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Singapore’s published heritage from and culture, the NUS Baba House at Ngee Ann Exhibition Hall Free admission For more information, please the collections of the National Library 157 Neil Road was built around 1895 August 11 to August 21 visit spm.org.sg In the 1860s, travellers had to purchase and discover fascinating stories from and was once the ancestral home of a 11 am to 7 pm large-format topographical views our past. Registration is required. Peranakan Chinese family. During the Free admission

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A CHINESE HERITAGE H M NEWATER VISITOR REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE SINGAPORE MARITIME THE ARMY MUSEUM OF CENTRE2 HDB GALLERY1 MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE1 NAVY MUSEUM1 GALLERY1 SINGAPORE2 Nanyang Technological HDB Hub, Basement 1, CENTRE2 20 Koh Sek Lim Road, 112 Tanah Merah Coast Pier, Level 520 Upper Jurong Road, University, 12 Nanyang 480 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore Singapore 486593 Road, Singapore 498794 2, 31 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore 638367 Drive, Singapore 637721 Singapore 310480 198501 +65 6546 7874 +65 6544 5147 Singapore 018988 +65 6861 3651 +65 6513 8157 hdb.gov.sg/hdbgallery +65 6391 0450 pub.gov.sg/water/newater/ mindef.gov.sg/content/ +65 6325 5707 chc.ntu.edu.sg malayheritage.org.sg visitors/Pages/default.aspx imindef/mindef_websites/ maritimegallery.sg ART RETREAT MUSEUM* HEALTHZONE atozlistings/navymuseum/ 10 Ubi Crescent, Lobby C, CIVIL DEFENCE HERITAGE Level 2, Health Promotion MARINA BARRAGE1 NGEE ANN CULTURAL home.html SINGAPORE PHILATELIC #01-45/47, Ubi Techpark, GALLERY1 Board, 3 Second Hospital CENTRE1 MUSEUM2 8 Marina Gardens Drive, REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE Singapore 498564 62 Hill Street, Singapore Avenue, Singapore 168937 Singapore 018951 97 Tank Road, Teochew 23-B Coleman Street, 179367 Building, Singapore 238066 AIR FORCE MUSEUM1 Singapore 179807 +65 6749 0880 1800 435 3616 +65 6514 5959 +65 6332 2996 +65 6737 9555 400 Airport Road, Paya +65 6337 3888 artretreatmuseum.com hpb.gov.sg/healthzone/ pub.gov.sg/Marina/Pages/ Lebar Airbase, Singapore scdf.gov.sg/community- Sustainable-Singapore- ngeeann.com.sg/en/ 534234 spm.org.sg ART RETREAT MUSEUM*1 volunteers/visit- HOME TEAM GALLERY*1 ngee-ann-cultural-centre Gallery.aspx +65 6461 8507 10 Ubi Crescent, Lobby C, scdf-establishments/ 501 Old SINGAPORE SPORTS 1 #01-45/47, Ubi Techpark, cd-heritage-gallery Road, Singapore 698928 MEMORIES AT OLD FORD NUS MUSEUM mindef.gov.sg/imindef/ MUSEUM2 mindef_websites/ Singapore 408564 +65 6465 3726 FACTORY3 University Cultural Centre, 6 Stadium Walk, Singapore THE CHANGI MUSEUM1 atozlistings/air_force/ +65 6749 0880 351 Upper 50 Crescent, 397698 1000 Upper Changi Road I Singapore 119279 about/museum.html artretreatmuseum.com Road, Singapore 588192 +65 6653 9710 North, Singapore 507707 IEXPERIENCE CENTRE +65 6516 8817 The Museum Roundtable (MR) is an +65 6462 6724 S sportshub.com.sg/venues/ ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM +65 6214 2451 B1-10/19 Esplanade nus.edu.sg/museum Pages/singapore-sports- Xchange, 90 Bras Basah nas.gov.sg/moff SCIENCE CENTRE initiative led by National Heritage 10 Bayfront Avenue, changimuseum.com.sg museum.aspx Road, Singapore 189562 SINGAPORE2 Singapore 018956 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION P 15 Science Centre Road, Board since 1996. It represents and +65 6820 6880 HERITAGE CENTRE PERANAKAN MUSEUM2 SUN YAT SEN NANYANG +65 6688 8826 E Singapore 609081 MEMORIAL HALL2 EURASIAN HERITAGE iexperience.sg 402 Commonwealth Drive, 39 Armenian Street, comprises a collective of public and marinabaysands.com/ +65 6425 2500 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore museum.html CENTRE Singapore 149599 Singapore 179941 INDIAN HERITAGE science.edu.sg 327874 private museums, heritage galleries, 139 Ceylon Road, CENTRE2 +65 6838 1614 +65 6332 7591 ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS +65 6256 7377 Singapore 429744 moeheritagecentre.sg peranakanmuseum.org.sg THE SGH MUSEUM1 and unique attractions of science MUSEUM2 5 Campbell Lane, wanqingyuan.org.sg +65 6447 1578 Singapore 209924 11 Third Hospital Avenue, 1 Empress Place, MINT MUSEUM OF TOYS POLICE HERITAGE eurasians.org.sg +65 6291 1601 Singapore 168751 and discovery in Singapore. With Singapore 179555 26 Seah Street, Singapore CENTRE*1 T Indianheritage.org.sg +65 6326 5294 +65 6332 7798 F 188382 28 Irrawaddy Road, TAN TOCK SENG more than fifty members currently, sgh.com.sg/about-us/ acm.org.sg FORT SILOSO +65 6339 0660 Singapore 329560 HOSPITAL HERITAGE THE INTAN *1 sgh-museum/Pages/SGH- +65 6478 2123 MUSEUM1 the MR strives to develop a stronger Sentosa Island, Siloso 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, emint.com Museum.aspx B 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Point, Singapore 099981 Singapore 427231 police.gov.sg/spfheritage BABA HOUSE*1 Level 1, Singapore 308433 museum-going culture in Singapore 1800 736 8672 N SINGAPORE ART +65 6440 1148 MUSEUM2 157 Neil Road, Singapore NATIONAL HEALTHCARE R +65 6357 8266 while positioning museums as 088883 sentosa.com.sg the-intan.com GROUP POLYCLINICS’ RED DOT DESIGN 71 Bras Basah Road, ttsh.com.sg/ GALLERY OF MEMORIES1 +65 6227 5731 FU TAK CHI MUSEUM 2 IRAS GALLERY1 MUSEUM1 Singapore 189555 TTSH-Heritage-Museum unique and fascinating destinations. Level 3 of nus.edu.sg/museum/baba 76 , Ground Floor, Red Dot +65 6589 9580 Revenue House, 55 Polyclinic, 50 Bukit Batok MUSEUM Singapore 048464 Traffic Building, 28 singaporeartmuseum.sg Newton Road, Level 1, West Avenue 3, Singapore * Maxwell Road, Singapore 460 Sims Avenue, Please visit museums.com.sg for +65 6580 2888 Singapore 307987 659164 2 Cox Terrace, Singapore 069120 SINGAPORE CITY Singapore 387601 fareastsquare.com.sg +65 6351 2076 +65 6355 3000 GALLERY1 more information. 179622 +65 6327 8027 +65 6744 3551 iras.gov.sg/irashome/ nhgp.com.sg 45 Maxwell Road, The URA +65 6338 6144 museum.red-dot.sg tanswiehian.sg G irasgallery.aspx Centre, Singapore 069118 NATIONAL LIBRARY THE BUILDING & GAN HERITAGE CENTRE* REFLECTIONS AT BUKIT +65 6321 8321 W CONSTRUCTION L SINGAPORE1 18 Bukit Pasoh Road, CHANDU2 ura.gov.sg/uol/citygallery WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM1 AUTHORITY GALLERY*3 LAND TRANSPORT 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 089832 31-K Pepys Road, 10 Green, GALLERY1 Singapore 188064 Building Construction & +65 6223 0739 Singapore 118458 SINGAPORE COINS AND Buangkok Green Medical 1 Hampshire Road, Block 1 3 Authority +65 6332 3255 NOTES MUSEUM Park, Singapore 539747 ganclan.sg Level 1, Singapore 219428 +65 6375 2510 200 Braddell Road, nlb.gov.sg 40 Pagoda Street, nhb.gov.sg/ +65 6389 2000 Singapore 579700 GRASSROOTS HERITAGE +65 6396 2550 Singapore 059199 NHBPortal/Museums/ CENTRE1 lta.gov.sg/ltgallery/index. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF +65 6248 9930 ReflectionsatBukitChandu +65 6895 0288 html SINGAPORE2 bcaa.edu.sg/learning- National Community scnm.com.sg journey-sites/ Leaders Institute, 70 Buona 93 Stamford Road, LEE KONG CHIAN Singapore 178897 bca-gallery Vista Road, Singapore NATURAL HISTORY SINGAPORE DISCOVERY 118176 MUSEUM +65 6332 3659 CENTRE C +65 6672 5200 2 Conservatory Drive, nationalmuseum.sg 510 Upper Jurong Road, CHINATOWN HERITAGE * nacli.pa.gov.sg/grassroots- Singapore 117377 Singapore 638365 By Appointment Only CENTRE 1 heritage-centre.html +65 6516 5082 +65 6792 6188 Free 48 Pagoda Street, 2 sdc.com.sg Free for Singapore Singapore 059207 lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg Citizens and Permanent +65 6534 8942 Residents chinatownheritagecentre.sg 3 Opening soon

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ISSN: 2424-7766