THE STORIES BEHIND JUBILEE WALK

NO. COMMUNITY 32 HERITAGE TRAIL:

VOL. OUR GEYLANG 09 SERAI

ISS. 01 MUSEOLOGY HIGHLIGHT: WHEN OBJECTS BECOME THE SUBJECT Front Cover National Day, August 9, 1966 Photo courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Front Inner Cover Mummy-board, probably from Thebes, Egypt, 950 – 990 BC © 2015 the Trustees of the British Museum FOREWORD FOREWORD Publisher National Heritage Board 61 Stamford Road, MUSE SG is beginning the of the Singaporean identity. The #03-08, Stamford Court, New Year with a new look and a new generation highlights our Singapore 178892 look back on Singapore’s Jubilee multi-faceted cultural identity, Chief Executive Officer Celebrations. continuing the thread of our Rosa Daniel past as a heterogeneous mix of A key milestone in the Jubilee Assistant Chief Executive immigrants who called Singapore Alvin Tan Year, the Jubilee Walk was home. They remind us that we are (Policy & Community) launched to commemorate the only as strong as we are resolute in 50th anniversary of Singapore’s creating a better future together, MUSE SG team independence. The Jubilee Walk while keeping the roots of our Editor-in-chief covers 23 architectural gems, beginnings close. David Chew bringing visitors up close and Design Consultant personal with Singapore’s past, Finally, to round up the year Ian Lin present and future. and usher in new beginnings, we Editorial Managers remember that history also lies in Reena Devi MUSE profiles 12 individuals Ruchi Mittal our diverse communities all over Raudha Muntadar for The Stories behind the Jubilee the island and, for this issue, we Production Manager Walk (page 27) in this bumper focus on Geylang Serai. In the Lawrence Low issue introducing the trail. The article Our Geylang Serai (page Layout articles showcase intimate life 51), we explore one of Singapore’s Kaleb Loh stories and each is interwoven oldest communities and showcase Copy-editing with the histories of our iconic Hedgehog the area’s rich cultural elements Communications sites, offering greater insight to and food haunts. Printing how far modern-day Singapore Hobee Print Pte Ltd has come from its past. Men and As we cross the 50-year mark of a Contributors women dedicated to their work nation, with increased knowledge Chung Sang Hong Joel Tan and communities, the profiled of our heritage, we look towards the Nicole Chen individuals are 12 strains of the new year with an expanded vision Nurliyana Halid same song – creativity, resilience, to encompass endless possibilities. Priscilla Chua Raudha Muntadar camaraderie and commitment, all Reena Devi that have moulded Singapore into Ruchi Mittal today’s vibrant city state. Szan Tan MUSE SG TEAM Stefanie Tham A homecoming youth’s perspective Yane Lee in The Singapore Story (page 20) tells us about the rich fabric of Singapore and the way it has come together to create the country we are today. She joins two other young students in this issue to offer their vibrant voices

FOREWORD JUBILEE WALK

JUBILEE WALK MAGNETS

JUBILEE WALK FOLDER

JUBILEE WALK MESSENGER BAG

In conjunction with the launch of the Jubilee Walk in November 2015, MUSEUM LABEL has developed a range of merchandise – comprising L-shaped folders, notebooks, magnets, sticky notes and messenger bags – featuring well-loved landmarks along the Jubilee Walk. These merchandise are sold at the MUSEUM LABEL shops.

AVAILABLE AT FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: Asian Civilisations Museum National Museum of Singapore 1 Empress Place, Left Lobby 93 Stamford Road Singapore 179555 Singapore 178897 Saturdays - Thursdays | 10am to 7pm Mondays - Sundays | 10am to 6.30pm Fridays | 10am to 9pm CONTENTS CONTENTS

04 10 16 MUSEOLOGY HIGHLIGHT WE: DEFINING STORIES CHINESE WHEN OBJECTS THE SINGAPOREAN NEW YEAR GREETINGS BECOME THE SUBJECT FACTOR A THROWBACK TO THE SIXTIES 21 25 51 THE SINGAPORE STORY COVER STORY COMMUNITY A YOUTH’S PERSPECTIVE THE STORIES BEHIND HERITAGE TRAIL JUBILEE WALK OUR GEYLANG SERAI

55 58 63 A BRANCH FROM THE STACKS THE VIETNAMESE OF HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN’S MUSEUM THE TEMBUSU TREE THE NATIONAL LIBRARY CHRONICLING WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

65 67 EDUCATION WHAT’S ON FUN WITH HERITAGE ON THE JUBILEE WALK

CONTENTS WHEN OBJECTS BECOME THE SUBJECT Text by Szan Tan

Photo on this page Shield, Late Bronze Age, around 1200 to 1000 BC. Sheet Bronze. North Wales. Presented by Sir A.W. Franks MUSEOLOGY HIGHLIGHT

01. Stone Hand Axe, about 800,000 years old. Lower Palaeolithic. Quartzite. Tanzania.

02. Ru Dish with Emperor’s Inscription, AD 1086 to 1125. Stoneware with Celadon Glaze. China.

01 02 Objects embody ideas and concerns Louis Leakey, is much like the common to mankind. From chopping tool mentioned by Neil creating hand tools to dishes to Macgregor, former Director of metal alloys/ware, mankind created British Museum. It represents the objects to meet evolving needs over beginning of mankind’s story, time. As such, these objects tie in and our relationship with the strongly with the development objects we create. The making of of human civilisation. Objects the tools like the handaxe tells of reflect our close relationships with man’s resourcefulness and ability our physical environment and to harness the raw materials from the natural and animal world, his physical environment. and also capture the relationship we have with the spiritual world. Man may know to utilise raw Throughout history, humanity’s materials for survival and complex interconnection with protection, but great skill and dexterity are required to transform “[R]ight from the beginning, we each other has also been further demonstrated through objects. a lump of stone into a tool, and to – unlike other animals – have felt craft it exquisitely too. Based on the urge to make things more From December 5, 2015 to May many of the handaxes found in sophisticated than they need 29, 2016, Treasures of the World the Olduvai Gorge, it is speculated to be. Objects carry powerful from the British Museum at the that early humans went beyond messages about their makers, National Museum of Singapore function and created them as art brings together many objects pieces and status symbols. The and this chopping tool is the that illustrate the fascinating handaxes were simply too large beginning of a relationship relationship we have with the and beautifully crafted to function between humans and the things objects we create and possess. as practical tools for everyday use. they create which is both a love affair and a dependency.” HAND TOOLS PRIZED POTTERY Neil MacGregor, A 800,000-year-old stone handaxe, The transformation of clay into former Director of British Museum, discovered in the Olduvai Gorge pottery, stoneware and porcelain in History of the World in 100 Objects in Tanzania by the archaeologist through firing marks another

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04 05 development in man’s relationship adored for their highly vitrified, with his environment. A Ru dish pure and translucent bodies. and blue-and-white porcelain Produced mainly in Jingdezhen in dish in the exhibition are splendid southern China’s Jiangxi province, results of man’s search for the many of these wares were exported finest materials, his exploitation of to the Near and Middle East and

06 them, and the success of his many other countries in Asia from the experiments in creating fine and fifteenth century onwards. Great 03. Blue-and-white Porcelain Dish, delicate objects reserved only for quantities of these Chinese export AD 1403 to 1424. Porcelain with Underglaze Cobalt-Blue Decoration. the imperial family. porcelains eventually found their China. way to Europe and were all the Admired for their thin bodies, 04. Seated Figure of the Goddess Bastet, rage there in the seventeenth to Late period Egypt, 664 to 302 BC. duck-egg blue glaze and delicate eighteenth century. Bronze. crack lines, Ru wares were only 05. Ritual Wine Vessel, 500 BC. Bronze. produced briefly for a period of METALWORK AND China. about 30 years, from AD 1086 06. Processional Cross, AD 1730 to 1755. SOCIAL STATUS Bronze and Gold. Ethiopia. to 1127. Today, there are only 70 extant pieces, mainly in museum Besides ceramics, the course of collections. metal technology development also demonstrates our abilities in Appreciated and sought all over the transforming our natural resources world later in history were Chinese to make objects that will protect, porcelains with under-glazed blue serve and bolster our social decoration, commonly known as 07 positions. Man created bronze “blue and white” porcelain. These using copper and combining it Chinese porcelains made from a with other metals such as zinc and combination of porcelain stone lead. Through inventive techniques and kaolin, which was then found – such as mould casting, lost wax only in China, were very much technique, repoussé and chasing

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07. Harmensz van Rijn, Rembrandt. The Three Crosses, AD 1653. Dry Point Etching. 08. Statue of Ganesha, around AD 1200. Sandstone. India.

07 08 – bronze figurines, weapons,and propitiated; protection was (Harmensz van Rijn, 1606 to armours, shields, vessels and sought from gods, goddesses and 1668), entitled The Three Crosses ceremonial implements were ancestors. The teachings of great and dated AD 1653. Here, the scene formed and decorated in various beings were studied and revered, of Christ’s crucifixion is highly cultures. and religious systems and beliefs dramatised through the clever use were created. Examples of these bronze objects of light and shade. The frail body can be found in the Treasures of In some societies, certain of Jesus is situated in the centre, the World from British Museum animals were considered sacred and all light and focus are on him exhibition. They range from the and venerated as deities which and his death. Only upon closer figure of the Egyptian goddess were both feared and loved. An study can one see the confusion Bastet in the form of a cat (dating obsession with afterlife arose in and suffering surrounding Jesus. to the Late period of Egypt from certain cultures, where elaborate Prints such as this were a means of 664 to 302 BC), an Eastern Zhou ceremonies and belief systems bringing Biblical stories vividly to wine vessel from the Houma were created to ensure a smooth life and to aid in private prayers. Foundry in China, a shield from transition to the netherworld and/ Other striking examples from the North Wales dated to the Late or to achieve everlasting life after exhibition that tell the story of Bronze Age (around 1200 to 1000 death. Humanity’s relationship man’s spiritual connections include BC), to a processional cross from with the spiritual realm can be seen a Gandanran Buddha, a statue of Gondar, Ethiopia (dated AD 1730 in many objects, ranging from the Ganesha from Orissa, India and to 1755). mummies of ancient Egypt, the a Tang dynasty silk painting of sculpted or cast figures of Buddhas the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS in Asia and Southeast Asia, to the found in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. In negotiating our harsh exaltation of Christ or the Virgin Mary in prints and votive plaques. environment and fighting for COMMUNICATION survival with other species, man A masterpiece of this communion turned to the spiritual world for with the spiritual realm can be Through objects, we can also protection. Spirits were appeased found in the work of Rembrandt trace man’s communication and

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09. Painting of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Tang complex relationships with each Dynasty (around AD 750 other. With the invention of to 850). Ink and Colours on writing, information could be Silk. passed down as records could be 10. A Tablet from King Ashurbanipal’s Library, 700 kept. One of the earliest forms to 600 BC. Clay. Northern of writing was in the form of a Iraq. cuneiform (wedge-shaped) script inscribed on clay or stone tablets from Mesopotamia. The relationship of man with each other were outlined, defined and reinforced through writing. Social hierarchies and political legitimacies were thus strengthened too. Knowledge was also passed down via written word. Representative of this are insights into common ailments and their remedies, 09

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11. War Shield, early 1900s. found on the tablets from King shield to emphasise his strength Mangrove Wood and Ashurbanipal’s library in Nineveh, and to intimidate his enemies. Natural Pigments. West Papua. northern Iraq. A clay tablet from Personal adornments made from

12. Group of Netsuke, Edo his collection, dated 700 to 600 rare, precious materials and period (1800 to 1900). BC, details stomach disorders and attached with powerful symbols Ivory, Lacquer, Wood. prescribes remedies for each. It is were worn by man to define his Japan. part of a therapeutic series entitled position and to set him apart from “If a man suffers from a phlegmy other men. Netsuke were intricately cough, and it turns into intestinal carved toggles, worn by Japanese disease”. men from town during the Edo period. They were miniature and OBJECTS AND SYMBOLISM portable art pieces which were an Through the ages, man has sought essential part of the costume of a to define his place in society Japanese townsman, defining his through the use of symbols, status and wealth. the enactment of rituals, or performance of ceremonies. Objects carved with powerful symbols, sometimes passed down for generations, acquired extra blessings and power. An Asmat warrior would have carried a war

- 09 - Text by Priscilla Chua THE SINGAPOREAN A lot of our idiosyncrasies, such and Stefanie Tham FACTOR as our irrational competitiveness, WE: Defining Stories is a penchant for queuing and Having walked through unending campaigns, have photography exhibition Singapore’s journey towards become running inside jokes. As showcasing headline independence, efforts at building much as we sometimes cringe photographs taken from the our country and the heroes and in embarrassment at our antics, collections of The Straits Times icons that have become part of our these little actions have become WE: Defining Stories and the National Museum of national story, something like a shared secret– Singapore. In celebration of rounds up with a buffet of quirks almost a code–that only those who SG50, a travelling version of the and eccentricities that define us as have been here long enough would original exhibition presented Singaporeans. know, and actually get it. at the National Museum Over the years, a Singaporean of Singapore was created, culture has emerged and is typified PHOTO ABOVE bringing our people’s story to Shoppers at the Robinsons’ annual sale. by certain unique characteristics. Robinsons department store has been the heartlands. The exhibition When confronted with the drawing crowds of bargain hunters over travelled to public libraries in behavioural quirks of Singaporeans, the years to its attractive sales with significant price slashes. 1966. 2015 and will be traveling to sometimes the most appropriate Photo: Ali Yusoff / The Straits Times various schools this year. response is to laugh. And why not? WE: DEFINING STORIES

Striving for the best is a practice that most of us Singaporeans pursue. “It is probably my one and only chance at Indeed, whether we like to admit it setting a world record, and it’s great I got or not, Singaporeans tend to make the effort to excel in every aspect: to do it through my favourite activity.” from the standards of our tertiary - Yap Yee Tharm (b. 1949) was part of the team of 280 people who education and airline service, to formed the longest inline skating chain in the world during the Samsung holding the accolades for making Inline Skating Festival in 2006. the longest popiah (fresh spring roll) in the world, and having the largest (source: The Straits Times, 19 November 2006, p. L2) number of people donning facial masks at one time.

01. Hundreds gathered at Nex shopping mall to help beauty company Mary Chia establish a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people wearing facial masks (859). 9 April 2011. Photo: Lim Sin Thai / The Straits Times

02. On 27 April 2005, students from Nanyang Girls’ High School broke the Guinness World Record for the longest popiah in the word. It was 196.14 metres long. Photo: Shahriya Yahaya / The Straits Times

03. The Merlion celebrated its coming of age on 15 September 1993 with a cake weighing 2.1 tons and spanning the size of half a badminton court. It was entered into the Singapore Guinness Book of Records. Photo: Albert Sim / The Straits Times

04. Contestants braving the elements 01 during the Subaru Team Challenge in 2005, where two Subaru Imprezas were awarded to the couple who could keep their hands on the cars for the longest time. Photo: Joyce Fang / The Straits Times

05. Contestants of Action Asia Challenge, the first extreme sports race in Singapore held on 24 October 2004. Photo: Mugilan Rajasegeran / The Straits Times 02 03

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There is something about queuing that we identify as typical “I’m not too sure how I got Singaporean behaviour. Whether embroiled in this.” it is to register for the Primary One intake, collect freebies, or chase - Jacqueline (b. 1984) visited five McDonald’s outlets between the hours after the latest fad, many would of 11pm and 5am to buy the final Hello Kitty in her collection in 2013. agree that queuing is an intrinsic (source: The Business Times, 9 August 2013, p. 1, 6.) facet of our culture, and perhaps indicative of the kiasu spirit (Hokkien for ‘“afraid to lose”) that is in us.

06. Student Tze Swee Poh with his haul of Hello Kitty soft toys from McDonald’s after queuing over 10 hours for them. 2000. Photo: Alphonso Chan / The Straits Times

07. Parents in long queues, such as in this photo taken at St Michael’s School in 1976, are usually seen when registration for Primary One classes begins. Photo: Hairis / The Straits Times

08. The queue for Phase 3 Primary One registration at Tanjong Katong Primary School on 26 August 2007 began almost a whole week before registration officially started. 06 Photo: Ng Sor Luan / The Straits Times

09. Crowds queue for tickets for the Malaysia Cup semi-final match between Singapore and Selangor at the National Stadium on 13 May 1977. Photo: Mak Kian Seng / The Straits Times

10. Scores of people gathered to queue for the 1976 silver coin at the Currency Board at Empress Place on 07 08 21 January 1976. Photo: Kok Ah Chong / The Straits Times

11. Queue at Singapore Pools’ new iToto draw for the $5 million Mid-Autumn jackpot at a Singapore Pools’ outlet in Clementi on 5 October 2006. Photo: Mugilan Rajasegeran / The Straits Times

12. Queue in front of a Blanco Court Food Centre stall at Old Airport Road before it opens, 1 June 2013. 09 10 Photo: Kua Chee Siong / The Straits Times

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“Tissue paper: The ‘dangerous weapon’ Singaporeans use to ‘chope’ seats. A mere packet sends the signal to fellow patrons to stay away from the ‘taken’ seats.” - Gayathiri Ilango’s entry to a contest organised by The Straits Times inviting readers to submit reasons why they love Singapore in 2009. (source: The Straits Times, 16 August 2009, p. 9)

PHOTO ABOVE People using packets of tissue paper to ‘chope’ seats at Lau Pa Sat Festival Market during lunch hour on 9 April 2010. Photo: Joyce Fang / The Straits Times

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From time to time, events such as the Grand Prix ignite excitement across the whole nation, and also produce some interesting shots of excitable Singaporeans. Since 2008, Singapore’s beautiful cityscape has served as the backdrop to the Formula One Grand Prix night race every September. The race in Singapore is competed on a five-kilometre street circuit that runs through the city’s civic district. But unbeknownst to some of us, Singapore’s first Grand Prix was actually in 1961 and the nation’s first Grand Prix circuit was also a street circuit known 14 worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s as the Thomson Road Circuit.

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13. Spectators at the 8th Singapore Grand Prix on 20 April 1973. Photo: Francis Ong / The Straits Times

14. The starting line at the Singapore Grand Prix in April 1972. 15 Photo: Chew Boon Chin / The Straits Times

15. An overview of the lit up Singapore Grand Prix race track as seen from the 65th floor of Swissotel The Stamford on 16 September 2013. Photo: Mugilan Rajasegeran / The Straits Times

16. Crowds scale fences to catch a glimpse of the first edition of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix night race on 28 September 2008. Photo: Alphonsus Chern

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A quintessentially Singaporean event is our National Day Parade. “I was there for the 1987 parade as part Since its beginnings in 1966, of the combined schools’ choir and have Singapore’s National Day Parades have evolved over the years, with been wanting to go again ever since… My each edition growing in scale and previous experience as a performer was originality. Tickets for the event are usually in high demand and get awesome. It was so overwhelming once snapped up way in advance. Past National Day Parades have been you got into the stadium and you just get held at the Padang and the former caught up in the euphoria of the moment.” National Stadium, with the current parade at Singapore Sports Hub. - Madam Ainah Manap (b. 1969) is a translator at the S. Rajaratnam A typical parade features military School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University. marches, fighter jet fly-bys, as well (source: The New Paper, 9 August 2013, p. 10) as spectacular fireworks. These parades are a highlight of the year for most Singaporeans, and some “It is one thing to watch it on TV, have amassed a large collection of National Day souvenirs over the but nothing beats seeing it live… It’s years. the marching tune from the parade – it reminds me of my days in the Volunteer Corps. Even after 47 years, no other parade can top the NDP.” - Choo Khoon Hock (b. 1940) is an ardent fan of the National Day Parade and has watched every parade live. (source: The Straits Times, 23 July 2012, p. B4)

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17. Adults and children watching the 1985 National Day Parade at Guillemard Road being thrilled by the fly past of a squadron of 15 planes from the Republic of Singapore’s Air Force. 9 August 1985. Photo: Nghai Chee Wah/The Straits Times

18. The hosts for National Day Parade 2014 (from left) Ebi Shankara, Jean Danker, Hossan Leong, Siti Khalijah and Joakim Gomez donned a variety of costumes and outfits that matched the pop art colour theme to a tee. The 18 parade was held at The Float@Marina Bay. 9 August 2014. Photo: Kevin Lim / The Straits Times

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A THROWBACK TO SINGAPORE IN THE SIXTIES Text and photos courtesy of Tan Kei En Joel

01 FEATURE

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05 01. Chinese New Year 03. Card with name greeting cards typed in collection 04. Photo added to give 02. Poetry featuring card a personal strong sense of touch companionship 05. Card with name inserted directly on printout 04 Technology advancement has or social status. The popularity of and companionship in welcoming brought about an increased Chinese New Year greeting cards a brand new year. popularity of emails and e-cards then, along with its wide audience in place of traditional greeting and variety, reflects a great deal There used to be spaces provided in cards. In today’s society, Chinese about the rich cultural history of greeting cards that allowed senders New Year greeting cards are on Singapore in the sixties. to insert their own photographs, the verge of extinction, with only adding a personal touch to the cards seniors and some organisations In an era without mobile that demonstrated a deeper level of keeping the practice alive. Sending phones, postal delivery was sincerity. More significantly, the Chinese New Year greeting cards the most common channel of Mandarin characters 鞠躬 (bow) is now often perceived as an old- communication. Sending Chinese were printed in all the cards, fashioned afterthought. New Year greeting cards through referring to the sender taking a the mail was one of the ways of bow to symbolise politeness and Yet, an interesting trivia is that showing 礼 (courtesy) to one’s respect for the recipient. sending Chinese New Year friends. Greeting cards from that greeting cards was the “in” thing period contained beautiful poetry The sending of these greeting cards in Singapore in the sixties. Posting that conveyed well-wishes for the was once a show of the senders’ Chinese New Year greeting cards receiver, regardless of the cards appreciation for the relationship was once a popular practice, physical sizes. The usage of words with their recepients. During the regardless of one’s economic and such as 我们 (we) indicated a form sixties, the cost of Chinese New educational background, gender of togetherness, mutual support Year greeting cards were cheap and

- 17 - FEATURE affordable, at about 10 cents each. were used by both the English- Notably, the usage of typewriters and Chinese-educated population or the engagement of printing in Singapore then, with the two service providers was common, to different social groups sharing a insert names directly and more common practice. While different efficiently on card printouts – this cultures took root among local signified the large numbers of New populace in the sixties, Chinese Year cards that were sent out by New Year greeting cards began individuals then. to include English translations of Chinese poetry, indicating their common audience of Chinese and English readers. Additionally, students who were educated in English streams were also trained in a second language through Language Exposure Time (LET) and the 1966 compulsory second language act. This meant that those who went into the English stream were still in touch with Chinese cultural practices that were already strong amongst the Chinese population. Notably, the romanisation of Chinese names

06 spelt with Hanyu Pinyin reflected These practices suggested that how the English-educated Chinese there were numerous greeting were sending Chinese New Year cards sent by the more affluent, greeting cards and thus connected or those wishing to maintain a with Chinese culture. Common wide relationship network, which assumptions of a cultural division contributed to the growth of between the English and the the popular practice. Through Chinese-educated populace then 07 mutual exchanges of greeting are thus not entirely true. cards, friendships and business Unlike present-day Chinese New relations were renewed annually. Year cards, which only emphasise The sixties in Singapore may have traditional Chinese culture, been a period of rapid change with Chinese New Year greeting industrialisation, development of cards back then were a blend modern housing and the decline of traditional Chinese culture of villages, but cultural ties were and modernity. Rich traditional maintained and we were socially Chinese culture were present in tightly-knit. three aspects: The young adults of the sixties - Firstly, the Chinese characters were often educated in the fifties, in most greeting cards were a period in which the percentage in traditional Chinese, with of students in English and Chinese either a right to left text vector streams were relatively similar: 47.4 or a writing style that starts percent in the English stream and from top to bottom, echoing 45.9 percent in the Chinese stream. traditional Chinese writing Chinese New Year greeting cards styles.

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08 - Secondly, card pictorials indicated the popularity of these included flowers, butterflies Hong Kong stars among the local and animals such as peacocks, population in Singapore. Modern

06. Card containing commonplace symbols of ways of dressing, in terms of hair English and Chinese prosperity and longevity in styles and fashion, thus entered the version of a poem traditional Chinese culture. society through the emulation of 07. Traditional Chinese these popular stars. colours and symbols - Thirdly, the colours utilised 08. Card featuring Hong in these greeting cards were Young Singaporeans of the sixties Kong star in the 60s warm colours such as yellow began adopting Western clothing or pink, symbolising peace in and embracing a modern identity. traditional Chinese culture. This phenomenon is represented by the women in image 8, who Yet these rich traditional Chinese wore Western dresses instead components were placed alongside of traditional cheongsams. This modern elements. Chinese embracement of modernity was New Year greeting cards in the largely influenced by the historical sixties often included pictures context of Singapore in the sixties. of famous Hong Kong pop stars The export-oriented economy and Mandarin pop song lyrics. inevitably exposed Singapore to The incorporation of these stars cultural influences from other and their songs into greeting emerging economies such as Hong cards and their desirability as gifts

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09. Card featuring Kong. Furthermore, the need for a These cards reveal a dynamic Mandarin pop song strong workforce invited men and society that was united in lyrics women to step into the working a common culture of social world. This empowered women exchanges. Singaporeans did not to have higher purchasing power, compromise traditions in their affording them choices in asserting acceptance of modernity; despite their modern identities through differences at many levels, we were the consumption of popular music undivided in maintaining a culture and Western clothing. that embraced a modern identity alongside the remembrance of The blending of traditional and tradition. modern elements in Chinese New Year greeting cards of the sixties reflected how tradition and modernity were not at odds and often co-existed. When examined closely, Chinese New Year greeting cards that were popular in the sixties reflected the social and cultural aspects of the times that may not be known to many.

- 20 - THE SINGAPORE STORY A YOUTH PERSPECTIVE IN THE JUBILEE YEAR

Text by Nicole Cheng

Sketch of Singapore with Fort Canning Hill in the background, 1857. Print. Collection of National Museum of Singapore. FEATURE

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01. View of the public district from Fort Canning Hill, 1950s to 1970s. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

02. Staff and Students of Tao Nan School, 1960s to 1970s. Collection of National Museum of Singapore. A NATIONAL IDENTITY of finding a starting point. What intention of building a permanent really captivated me about the Singapore then. The nineteenth- I had effectively grown up outside exhibition was the uncertainty of century plan was for a place where of Singapore all my life. After just a our origins. British businessmen and Asian month in the country, my parents migrant workers would work I realised from the exhibit that and I had moved to Hong Kong, together to make their fortunes our entire city had been planned where I would be raised for the and return home. Despite the around Fort Canning Hill. It was next 18 years. The red Singaporean multitude of urban changes, this neither a person nor a building, passport I was identified by felt precinct around the hill remains but a hill that had seen the country like nothing more than a label. the Civic District we know today. through the most change: From I felt a compelling urge to Sang Nila Utama’s sighting of a My great-grandmother had sailed understand this alien identity I was lion, the docking of British ships here from the shores of South tied to. In search of the meaning and the invasion of Japanese Africa, assuming that Singapore behind my national identity, I troops, to present day Singapore. would merely be a stop on the decided to spend my summer in way back to Guangzhou, China. Those grassy slopes were home Singapore despite many parties I wonder now if she could have to the palace of Srivijayan prince telling me greater opportunities pondered at how a pit stop would Sri Tri Buana when he claimed abound elsewhere. Recalling my become home for generations to the throne as the first King of arrival in May 2015 when I first come. unpacked my bags in my Aunt’s Singapura in 1299. Previously flat, I realise that I didn’t have the known as Bukit Larangan (Malay In my search for more stories slightest idea then of the adventure for “Forbidden Hill”), the British like hers I turned to the National I was about to embark on. renamed the hill Government Archives of Singapore, which Hill in the early nineteenth became my treasure trove of history A LASTING LEGACY century. It served as the residence for the next few months. Sifting grounds of Sir Stamford Raffles through numerous cassette tapes While I had studied a Singaporean and subsequent British governors. and photographs, I was able to dive curriculum in primary school, The Plan of the Town of Singapore into the life stories of those before I have forgotten most of it. was drafted by Raffles to organise me and really contextualise the To ground myself in the the colony around the precinct – buildings around me. I would pass island’s history, I attended the then dubbed as “European Town”, by so many historical buildings SINGAPURA: 700 Years exhibit it being the central governing just on my walk from the MRT at the National Museum in hopes area. Interestingly, there was no station to the Archives!

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ARCHITECTURAL GEMS Many like Lee Seng Gee who have church building on the island. I was surprised to learn that the lived their childhood through Beyond this national monument, Peranakan Museum and the the 1920s would recall splitting other prominent Armenians also very room at the Archives I was their schooling between both left important legacies: Agnes conducting my research in were institutions. He said, “attending Joaquim cultivated our national once home to two significant two schools a day was quite a flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, schools. These institutionsstrain sometimes because of the and Catchick Moses founded The were instrumental to the early weather. It gets hot and you don’t Straits Times. communities that settled in the feel like studying…but my parents SEEKING AN IDENTITY Town of Singapore. What we now knew it was necessary in order know as the Peranakan Museum to understand both English and With my newfound understanding was once home to Tao Nan School, Chinese – to be bilingual.” I felt of Singapore, I would muse at the first Chinese school that held that Lee spoke of a common trait how much of our surrounding classes in Mandarin instead of in that defines a Singaporean identity, architecture seems unchanged dialect. It was founded in 1906, rooting himself in bilingualism along the Singapore River. In and started accepting Chinese that many of us can relate to. Singapore’s road to independence, students from all dialect groups One of the earlier settlers in their permanence is a poignant by 1909. Similarly, the Singapore the country formed a small but reminder of the pivotal moments Philatelic Museum and the influential group of Armenians, rooted in the memories of the National Archives are now situated whose legacies live on through older generations. in the earliest compounds of the their church. The ArmenianI have been a Singaporean all my Anglo-Chinese School. It was the Apostolic Church of St Gregory the life and have always taken my first school to teach English in the Illuminator was built just 16 years red passport for granted, never country since its establishment in after Raffles first signed the treaty really thinking of citizenship as 1886. to establish the British free port. something I had to fight for. This That makes it the oldest surviving was not the case for those who

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03 03. A view of Empress Place, 1910. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

04. A National Day Parade Contingent in front of the Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall, 1967. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

04 flocked to Empress Place Building, I was uneasy in the crowd at first. the surrounding buzz of the city. now the Asian Civilisations However, in reciting the national Chua Chye Chua spent most of Museum, to register as citizens pledge and singing the national his childhood on Beach Road and of the Republic of Singapore anthem, an unshakable sense remembers the famous Satay Club after Singapore gained full of pride washed over me. Those during the 1930s and 1940s: “It independence in 1965. physically present at the Padang [had] such small stalls, all portable may be a fraction of the whole Lee Geok Boi was one of them. stalls, carried by the satay man population, but I felt a connection himself. He has a grill to grill his She had chosen to become a in our joyous celebration, shared Singaporean in the building of satay and the other one was his with viewers watching the event ungrilled meat, rice pudding, chili “very big cavernous high ceilings from their television screens. [and very] dusty unpolished, very sauces. We were all having a good rough, floor boards.” To me, this While the green expanse at the time, just sitting on stools and conscious act of seeking citizenship Padang has seen many significant ordering our satay.” is powerful, and reminds me that events on a national scale, we must Listening to the fond memories committing to an identity is very not forget signature places like of Singaporeans through their much a conscious choice. Esplanade Park. Once a hawker recorded oral histories of the food paradise and go-to for a night Esplanade Park unlocked a depth This sense of belonging was about town, it is now the frequent of meaning I now associate with reinforced when I joined the haunt of many arts and culture the area. It is comforting to know National Day Parade at the Padang enthusiasts. The Esplanade is no that some areas will always hold in August 2015, to wave my red less important than grand halls a special place in people’s hearts and white flag for the second flanked by classical columns, and despite our rapidly changing time since I was in Primary Five. exudes a sense of nostalgia despite cityscape.

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05

06 05. SG50 National Day Parade 2015. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Culture, MARCHING FORTH Another feat of modern technology Community and Youth. AS ONE is the Marina Barrage, which houses a reservoir with a catchment 06. Satay Seller, 1970s – 1980s. Collection Nearby, Gardens by the Bay stand of National Museum of Singapore. area one-sixth the size of Singapore. with two iconic domes glittering Looking at its grand structure and along the skyline. It was the musing at the amount of water in primary location that helped me there, I can distinctly recall being visualise Singapore as a “City in told off by my grandmother for not a Garden”. At the cutting edge of being careful of how much water I environmental technology – with was using from the tap. There were practices such as energy generation days in the past when we would from horticultural waste and solar have to survive daily on a bucket cells – the Gardens expose us to the of water each, raising awareness of larger beauty of our planet through water’s scarcity locally. its mystical botanical worlds.

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The construction of the Marina Barrage directs five rivers to flow into it, including the iconic Singapore River. To think that then-Permanent Secretary for Environment, Lee Ek Tieng, thought in 1975 that cleaning the Singapore River was “almost an impossible job because Singapore River [and] the Rochor Canal [were] black and dirty!” The completion of the Marina Barrage, coupled with the history of today’s pristine Singapore River, demonstrate Singapore’s resilience in overcoming physical restraints as a nation. 07 Having celebrated Singapore’s Jubilee, I can’t help but wonder how the urban landscape will morph in the next 50 years. I hope, as we advance the Singapore Story as a nation, that we will be mindful of retaining the rich culture and spirit which bond us amidst our ever-evolving landscape.

08 07 Gardens By the Bay. Image courtesy of Gardens by the Bay.

08 Merlion Park during SG50 celebrations. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

- 26 - THE STORIES BEHIND JUBILEE WALK Text by Reena Devi

The Jubilee Walk was launched declared and heads of state years - with the advent of on 29 November 2015 to sworn in. The people who have international trade and travel, commemorate the 50th Anniversary worked and are working in this communication via post was key. of Singapore’s independence, vicinity provide insight about The dedicated service of people marking heritage sites and spaces these significant moments who worked in the postal industry involved in key milestones of rooted in Singapore’s history. is testament to its prominence. our nation building. Through the subsequent interviews and The Jubilee Walk leads us to the Jubilee Walk showcases diverse features, we come to witness old Hill Street Police Station and communities which worked the story of the people behind the Central Fire Station where towards making Singapore these physical buildings and sites. we recognise the contributions economically robust and culturally Theirs are stories of resilience, of the individuals who worked rich including those who lived and camaraderie and adaptability in collaboration to ensure the worked by the Singapore River in the face of change - from the sustained security of Singapore and the Armenian community pioneers who overcame the war through its developing years. The who built a church on Hill Street. stories of the individuals behind and struggled to build a modern, We are also reminded to consider sovereign nation, to inspired heritage sites such as the Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert the future that lies before individuals conserving the past us through The Future of Us and gazing towards the future. Hall (VTVCH) and Fort Canning Park showcase the vibrancy of exhibition at Gardens Bay. As Singapore’s story began at the the arts and the integration of the The Future of Us exhibition area where the Padang, the former flora and fauna in Singapore. and the various stories behind Supreme Court and Parliament the heritage sites reveal, the House are located. These are The Fullerton Building was story of Singapore was and will the historic sites where policies also another significant focal always be written by its diverse were formulated, independence point during our nation building communities and individuals. PROFILES A PALANIAPPAN TAMIL INTERPRETER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND SECOND-GENERATION SINGAPOREAN Text by Reena Devi

Mr A Palaniappan has worked Please tell us more about being an of ministers and MPs discussing at the Parliament House for over Interpreter at the Parliament and High national issues and policies. Court? 25 years as a Tamil interpreter. How did you get started in this vocation? He was previously working In Parliament, where we are known as an interpreter at the old as simultaneous interpreters. As In 1968, I finished my “O” Levels the Members of Parliament (MPs) location of the High Court, and there were a lot of jobs available and Ministers speak, you put on post-independence. I wanted to where the current National the earphones, and you cannot become a teacher and I applied to Gallery Singapore now stands. stop. You have to carry on, and the Public Service Commission you cannot ask them to pause to From arriving in Singapore (PSC), but when I went for the clarify what they just said. You are interview they told me to try for at the age of six as a new expected to know the words, and the interpreter’s job because I am immigrant, to becoming to keep up with the pace of the good in both Tamil and English. Head Specialist of English ministers’ speeches. That’s one of and Tamil at the Parliament the challenges we face. I consulted my father and he said, House, Palaniappan’s journey “why not?” Working at the court Another challenge is that in is a uniquely Singaporean was a prestigious thing in those Parliament, we have to use days, and this meant that you will one. Today, he bears witness standard Tamil used by news not only be an interpreter but also on a daily basis to the finer practitioners. The sessions are a Commissioner for oath. That was points of policymaking at the also more serious – policies and how I ended up working at the highest level of government. papers are discussed, and MPs High Court. raise serious questions regarding national and international issues. Subsequently, I started working You get first-hand perspectives part-time for Parliament in the

- 28 - PROFILES seventies, while also working The locale has also changed a to the parliamentary debates, across the road at the High Court lot since then. I used to live at and you could see there was a lot building. When Mr Narayanan, Market Street, walking to Raffles of excitement between him and my predecessor in the Parliament Institution every day for school, the other political leaders he was Secretarial, retired in the eighties, observing the bumboats and debating with. I miss the lively I applied for this job over here. godowns along the Singapore debates by the late Mr Lee, Mr River. Along the footpath leading JB Jeyaretnam and other political Can you share about the differences between the past and present Parliament to High Street, there were a lot leaders. There were a lot of off- House? of little shops – there used to the-cuff speeches made back then, Over the years, I have observed be a bookshop where Minister when Mr Lee would just rise from the different profiles of MPs at Rajaratnam would go to browse his seat and offer rebuttals on the the Parliament House. In the in, because his office was nearby spot, very robustly. past, you did not have many at the old City Hall Building. When I was working at the High Another memorable moment educated professionals; you had a was when I was a pallbearer for fair number of people who came Court, I used to go out for breaks and would see him there. The Mr Lee’s Lying in State as the from the grassroots and spoke cortege was arriving at the current ordinary Tamil and English, so present Treasury building used to have shops run by Indian Muslim Parliament House. It was a very you could keep pace with them emotional moment for me. When and understand. merchants, and the whole place has changed a lot since then. the motorcade came in, I felt like Now, you have more educated, going on my knees and was almost Can you share any memorable incidents in tears. I grew up under his system professional MPs. There are also during your time working at the old and MPs educated overseas who use new Parliament Houses? and benefited from it, from him. modern English terms, so we have I enjoyed the debates at the old to keep up. We have to discuss with Parliament House where our senior interpreters and translators founding Prime Minister Mr to come up with new Tamil words Lee Kuan Yew used to engage in for new English terms. debates. There was cut and thrust The Old Parliament House, c.1911. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

- 29 - PROFILES LIM SHUJUAN CURATOR OF BUILDING HISTORY AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE Text by Reena Devi

Lim Shujuan’s interest lies in excavating untold stories of people, buildings and photography. She has witnessed and documented the transformation of the National Gallery from two separate national monuments – City Hall and former Supreme Court building – into a single visual arts institution.

Could you tell us more about the Currently, as the National Gallery I would read into a building’s architectural history of both City Hall Singapore, the buildings have been history beyond its architecture; and the Former Supreme Court? greatly transformed – connections it also has its own stories and The thing to note is that the have been created between both meaning to different people at City Hall building was built 10 buildings which was never done various points in time. A building years earlier than the Supreme before. However, we made efforts can also be an expression of Court. But as you walk through to retain and conserve the historical the various aspirations of the them, you get the sense that fabric of the buildings. We have communities and the people. the City Hall building is quite retained certain historical elements contemporary. This is because it throughout the buildings, such as The significance of these buildings was built with the intent for it to the Shanghai plaster. There are lies in their proximity and their become an office space, and it did also markers around the conserved architecture. see different offices come and go. buildings to provide information Their proximity to the Padang As such, the walls were often torn of certain conserved spaces. played an important role in down or changed over the years. What do these historic buildings mean local history, with the original In contrast, the former Supreme to you? In your opinion, what makes the steps being so close to the field. Court was built as a High Court City Hall and Former Supreme Court They provided the backdrop and used as one till the nineties. distinct? and a ready stage for leaders to

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give their speeches, while people congregated on the Padang in the fiery atmosphere of the fifties. In addition, High Street runs behind these buildings, and it was considered the “Orchard Road” of the past. They are the two last neoclassical buildings built in Singapore and the two grandest, occupying a very central location and also holding deep significance for Singapore’s people and history. What are the most historically-significant spaces in these buildings? Most would know the City Hall Chamber as the most historically- significant space in the City Hall 01 building. When it was first built in 1929, it was designed to be the grandest room in the whole of City Hall. Historical events, such as the Japanese surrender to the Allied Forces and the swearing-in ceremonies of Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong and Yusof Ishak, all took place here. The distinctive red carpeting in the chamber has been removed, but other elements have been retained. We realised that the timber flooring beneath the carpeting was still in good condition after all these years. Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s office was once on level three of the City Hall building, facing the 02 Padang. However, the proportions 01. The newly-built of the office have evolved, due to National Gallery Singapore, 2015. the City Hall building serving

02. Supreme Court different purposes over the years. and City Hall, Lee was there the longest and S 1952. Collection of Rajaratnam moved into the office National Museum of Singapore. after him, using it during his time as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

- 31 - PROFILES RAHMAT BIN ADBAN PARK OFFICER AT NATIONAL PARKS BOARD (NPARKS) Text by Reena Devi

Now in his fifties, Rahmat Bin Please describe your life as a Park replaced with proper landscaping. Adban has been working at Officer at Fort Canning Park? When I first came here, the former Fort Canning Park for over It is wonderful and awesome Fort Canning Arts Centre was 30 years. Adban dedicates to work at Fort Canning Park. under renovation. It used to be himself towards preserving Over the years, I have seen many a military barrack used by the Singapore Armed Forces, until and sustaining the park. He changes and improvements to the park. It gives me great pleasure we took over in 1989. We did started his career as a Foreman and a sense of pride to say that I renovation, proper landscaping, Gardener at the Singapore have been involved in most of the and created a driveway for it. Botanic Gardens (SBG) with enhancements here. Would you like to share any memorable the Parks and Recreation incidents during your work at Fort department, before NParks There was not much of a landscape Canning Park? – it was pure vegetation. Shelters was established. Recognised were not built like they are today: A memorable incident involved for his tireless enthusiasm Raffles House was just a shelter the white-bellied sea eagles and commitment, Adban has open to the public. When I who are residents here. They strived through the years to came in, things began to change. used to nest on top of a Singtel- become a Park Officer today. Raffles House was built to telecommunications tower in the replace the shelter, new footpaths park. However, when it was time were introduced, and all wild to remove the tower, they cleverly vegetation was removed and shifted themselves to a nearby tree. We have not located the parent, but

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Rahmat Bin Adban with colleagues at Fort Canning Park. Photos courtesy of Rahmat Adban the chick was there with another day when Yeong Yee Sheong, my with numerous courses. All the eagle. We noticed that they had former supervisor at SBG, decided effort that I have put into my work tried nesting, but the nests kept to send me to Fort Canning Park. has paid off, and my commitment breaking as the tree branches were He gave me his reassurance about is being recognised. Throughout too thin to support them. To aid my future working here, but I the 30 years here, I was promoted their transition to nesting on a tree, found it a huge challenge and from Foreman Gardener, to my team from Fort Canning Park responsibility for me, someone Senior Foreman Gardener, to built a flat platform for them up with only PSLE results as the Horticulture Assistant, to Assistant on the highest branches, allowing highest level of education. Park Officer, and finally to Park them to nest. Officer. The journey has really Yet, I managed to always think How have the years working as a been amazing, and I am proud of Park Officer contributed to your life, positively about the future and my achievements. professionally and personally? strived to overcome all my I started my career with only PSLE challenges. I have been given many qualifications. I remember the opportunities to upgrade myself

- 33 - PROFILES SARAJ DIN RETIRED ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE Text by Joen Goh Seventy-year-old Saraj Din relives his memories of living as a young police officer in the Hill Street Police Station and Barracks, now the revamped complex housing the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Communications and Information. His entire career with the police force spanned the early years of Singapore’s growth from 1963 to 1999, of which 33 years was served in the Internal Security Department (ISD).

How did the Barracks look like when were given one room each with used to each have a wooden black you lived there? an attached kitchen. There used box to store our belongings. After In those days not many people to be movie screenings every passing out, I was assigned to the owned housing, and many were Saturday at the parade square, and Central Police Station and to this living in slums. A lot of people a badminton court to the side. Hill Street Barracks. joined the police force for housing benefits as the Police Force provided When I officially joined the force What were some of the highlights of living here then? the best quarters available then. in 1963, we trained at the Police The covered atrium of the Hill Academy and slept in the barracks With the other bachelors, it was Street complex was once a parade there first. The beds consisted easy to have fun and be a little square. Bachelors used to stay on of two or three wooden planks naughty. We would go to High the second to fourth storeys, and placed on iron bars with torn Street, have coffee, browse at we would chit-chat together. Some mattress on top. You had to bring shopping centres, and “tackle” of them would sit on the parapets your own bedsheet and pillow. girls. But we had good chaps. and polish their boots! Families My salary was $90 then, and we Some of them have passed on. The

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Saraj Din as a young streets were ruled by clans, gangs After Singapore’s separation from officer. Photos courtesy and hawkers then. Chaos, conflict Malaysia in 1965, I was assigned to of Saraj Din and confrontations were common guard the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s and the police had to put order to house. Then, be it rain or shine, things. you had to stand guard outside the main door. Now they have sentry Why did you decide to join the police force? houses. Two of my uncles were policemen. In our time, we were dedicated There weren’t much choices for and prepared to sacrifice our lives good jobs back then. I went to the if the situation called for it. I had a Central Police Station then to take good record and was promoted to a recruitment form to fill it up – the rank of Inspector by the time they used to give them out that I was 21. After that, I applied and way. I was almost rejected because joined the ISD, which I remember I was only 17, but the interviewees as being the most “prestigious” saw my height when I stood up to department in the force then. walk away, and called me back. They recruited us with a height I was really proud to be in the requirement of five-feet-eight then. Police Force. I would wear the uniform with pride, and tailor What did it mean to you, being a my own shorts for the uniform policeman in the early years of Singapore’s independence? because I wanted it to look smart.

- 35 - PROFILES YUNNOS BIN SHARIFF RETIRED FIREMAN WHO SERVED AT CENTRAL FIRE STATION Text by Reena Devi

At 72 years old, Yunnos Bin What was it like working in the Central enough to be a lecturer, so I chose Shariff is best remembered Fire Station and how did you become a to become a fireman. I worked fireman? for his recent appearance at with the service for 41 years as a the SG50 National Day Parade, I was actually born at the Geylang control room operator. I would go wearing his old uniform on the Fire Station. My father was later around the stations as required. transferred from the Geylang Fire Also, I was known amongst my grand occasion to commemorate Station to Central Fire station in colleagues for being able to speak his service to Singapore. 1950, and then to Alexandra Fire and write English well. Station in 1954, and the family Yunnos hails from a family What are some of the differences between followed him. There was no proper firefighters: His father, elder the past and the present Central Fire communication system in the past Station? brothers and uncles were all so everyone in the profession had I have noticed so many differences, firefighters. He was born in the to live in the fire station or near it. Geylang Fire Station where especially in the facilities. Equipment are now sent outside his family had lived, before I had initially wanted to become a lecturer, not a firefighter. C the station for servicing. Previously, a transfer to the Central Fire Kunalan, the retired Singapore this was not the case. There used to Station. Yunnos later went runner, and all my team mates be a chief fire officer, John Engles, on to work as a Control Room used to exercise together. I who was a Scottish man. He used operator and supervisor at was interested in long-distance to be an engineer and told us that the Central Fire station. running, photography and drama, he would oversee servicing any which I would participate in equipment that required fixing. So to occupy myself. That’s how I most servicing was done in-house gained experience in many fields. and we didn’t engage external However, I did not get a grade good workshops.

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How do you feel about being part of the Singapore Civil Defence Force? Operations were very smooth and efficient during my time in the control room, even when we faced major accidents such as the MacDonald House bombing and the fire at the Pulau Bukom plant. I’ve always been part of the Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit. At 60, they called me back to be a guide at the Central Fire Station. Whenever they have overseas visitors such as delegations of firemen from other countries, I receive questions about how our firefighters operate.

Yunnos as a Fireman through the years. Photo courtesy of Singapore Civil Defence Force.

- 37 - PROFILES LYNNETTE SEAH SSO VIOLINIST AND C0-CONCERT MASTER Text by Raudha Muntadar

Lynnette Seah is no stranger to the classical music industry. As a Cultural Medallion recipient, founding member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), and one of Singapore’s most well-known and respected musicians, Lynnette is fiercely disciplined and passionate. She has contributed significantly to the local classical music How and when did you begin your the Orchestra through the years industry by flying Singapore’s journey with the SSO? because I wanted to be a part flag internationally as a fine When I was 16, I received a of its development and growth. musician. In her years of scholarship to study at the I’m happy that we’ve come full artistic development, Lynnette Hannover Hochschule for Music circle and we are now back at has trained under renowned in Germany. That more or less our original home in the Victoria Concert Hall, after performing for violin teachers, performed determined my destiny as a classical musician. years at the Esplanade Theatres. with famous orchestras, and participated in numerous I first auditioned for the SSO You first started performing with the SSO at the Victoria Concert Hall, how competitions around the world. in 1978, and was happy to be was it like performing in such a venue? offered a place because I enjoyed In 2006, Lynnette was awarded performing. Later, at our first Towards the late nineties, the the Cultural Medallion, inaugural concert in 1979 at the Victoria Concert Hall was aesthetically old and run-down Singapore’s most prestigious newly-reopened Victoria Concert Hall, I was offered to be the acting but we had plenty of camaraderie award to recognise individuals between the musicians. We were of artistic excellence. Today, leader of the concert by maestro Choo Hoey – and today I’m the like family. The acoustics in the Lynnette is co-concertmaster co-concertmaster of the SSO. old Hall was also very warm and with the SSO, and continues friendly, and it felt intimate. I to see to the growth of the It has been a dream of mine for still feel the same excitement and national symphony orchestra. Singapore to have its own national tension today as I did when I first symphony orchestra and I’ve performed at the old Victoria dedicated my life to building the Concert Hall. Orchestra. I’ve stayed on with

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Do you have any fond memories to share before the concert. The layout of extra or special to say through of your many rehearsals and concerts at the old Hall made it easier for the their music. They should be able the old Victoria Concert Hall? musicians to meet the audience to communicate it to the audience, I remember having my children after the concerts, which I used to in addition to being confident and with me whenever I had my look forward to. having all their basic techniques solo concerts in the old Victoria sorted out. As a woman and a What is it like playing in the Victoria Concert Hall, and they would be Concert Hall, now that it has been mother, I’m a romantic and into running around the corridors of refurbished? romantic classical music, so when the old Hall. My late mother also I performed my SG50 recital I play the violin it comes from attended most of my concerts and at the newly-renovated Victoria the heart. The biggest reward for she would seat herself somewhere Concert Hall in March last year, me as a musician is when I am at the front. She was one of my and I enjoyed how the violin and able to transcend all boundaries greatest supporters in life, and the piano sounded acoustically in the of nationality, relivgion, race and person who ignited my passion for refurbished space. gender by communicating my classical music. music from my heart to listeners. As an accomplished violinist, what Is there anything about the old Victoria advice do you have for young musicians Concert Hall that you miss? who have plans to join the Orchestra or In the past, we would frequent the even the local music industry? old Transit Hawker Centre during I would say practise hard and Photo above our rehearsal breaks. It had plenty find your own musical identity Thousands of people of good hawker food. The old Hall and personality, to stand out gathered at the opening also had a small café at the ground of Television Singapura among many other musicians. at Victoria Theatre, floor where we would have breaks During auditions, we look out for 1963. Photo courtesy and meet audience members of Singapore Press musicians who have something Holdings Limited.

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MANAGER (TECHNICAL MAZLAN BIN DISPLAY) FOR THE ASIAN CIVILISATIONS ANUAR MUSEUM Text by Ruchi Mittal

Mazlan Bin Anuar has been for instance in the ”wave” Describe your life as an exhibitions staff working with exhibition display formation of bowls with a model at ACM? and design since he started at ship floating upon them. Every exhibition is a new the National Museum in 1983. experience and each has a different Most importantly, Anuar He takes pride in his detail to display technique. Display believes in using his experience attention through his meticulous techniques vary with the type of to train and impart knowledge exhibition and sometimes we have processes of measuring, crafting to those who are interested special requirements from the and refining displays to protect in this field, building on curators. This is a high-risk job, and display the artefacts. the legacy of his work. as we deal with museum objects and rare, priceless treasures. I have Anuar’s most recent project was to be very careful when handling his work for the Tang Shipwreck the artefacts and be very focused Gallery at the Asian Civilisations on every detail when doing the Museum (ACM) where his installation work. ingenuity and creativity with For each exhibition, I first get display are clearly evident, the exhibition layout from the

- 40 - PROFILES curators, then proceed to the Heritage Conservation Centre in Jurong where the artefacts are stored to measure each one. Only after I have their dimensions can I work out ways to display them. Sometimes the curators want them raised, or mounted on the wall but with a gap between the object and the wall. I then have to work out a way to make it happen. I make my own mounts from the raw material, brass strips. This is why I have welding equipment in my workshop. After shaping the brass, I apply an undercoat before putting on a protective foam layer. Then the artefact can be mounted. How were the surroundings, building and museum like when you first started An aerial view of working there? Can you share the rare skills that are required in Empress Place civic differences between then and now? exhibition installations. I have had area, mid 20th Century. the opportunity to travel for work Collection of National I have witnessed so many changes Museum of Singapore. in this area since we moved here, and instruct others in this unique such as the Parliament House skillset. In 2011, I was invited by shifting to its new building. the Embassy of the Republic of I was involved in the process, Singapore to conduct a workshop installing the archaeological on mount-making for about 40 finds in the display showcases in museum staff at the National the new Parliament House. The Museum Yangon in Myanmar. old Parliament House was then I am also involved in conducting converted to the Arts House. workshops for local museum staff and Institute of Technical I have also witnessed Victoria Education (ITE) students. Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall going through many changes. There is no formal training There were alterations to the available in the market at the landscape as well, when five huge moment for exhibition display old trees were shifted to their new creation. I like to train more staff locations near the ACM. I was here in this skill and aid in developing when they buried the time capsule more museum mount-makers for in front of the ACM building, and as long as I can. I was here when it was unearthed and displayed in the Museum. How did working at ACM contribute to your life personally and professionally? As a well-known and a world class museum, it makes me proud to be part of ACM. I am also proud to be a person with special and

- 41 - PROFILES ALBERT LIM SON OF MERLION CRAFTSMAN LIM NAM SENG Text by Reena Devi

Albert Lim and his father Lim Nam Seng. Photo courtesy of Albert lim.

Our attention often lies with the Tell us about your experience as a diligently and conscientiously Merlion and rarely is the focus son of the man behind the Merlion towards the completion of this on the men behind its making. and being involved in its making. masterpiece of work. The Merlion was not a single person’s effort, The 8.6-metre tall, 70-tonne My father was an enthusiastic statue which showcases it was the joint effort of a family sculptor and it had been his dream dedicated to the arts and heritage Singapore’s ancient past and its to create something memorable of Singapore. maritime progress was designed that symbolises Singapore globally. by artist and educator Kwan This led to the creation of Merlion. What does the Merlion symbolise to Sai Kheong and made by the you? Sculpting was my father’s love late craftsman, Lim Nam Seng. and interest and this lasting I personally feel that the current Merlion is the best symbol of Lim’s son, currently retired enthusiasm inspired him to creating continuously till this Singapore and hope it will always from years of being involved Merlion which is his best and remain the symbol it is today. As in contemporary dance and proudest achievement. my father envisioned, the Merlion performance arts, remembers symbolises the open hearted, his days helping his father in It is really an honour that my smiling, welcoming, friendly the makings of this symbolic father has created this ideal lovable part of Singapore and he hoped statue and more. symbol of Singapore. It has been Singapore would always remain his dream piece and as his family, like that and be welcoming and we are very proud of him. open and friendly to its own people In the process of building the and people from other shores. Merlion, the whole family got together in harmony and worked

- 42 - PROFILES ENG SIAK LOY DESIGNER OF STAMPS AND CURRENCY NOTES Text by Ruchi Mittal Eng Siak Loy began a long and prolific art career with his training at the Singapore Academy of Art in 1960. He has been the designer behind many important projects, including stamp designs based on the Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay, some of the note designs for SG50 and most of the public sculptures at Gardens by the Bay. Eng’s sense of precision and attention to detail have enabled him to craft masterpieces of very small scale, such as stamps and notes, to huge murals and public sculptures across various sites including Fort Canning Park. How did you begin designing stamps? so it was lucky that I managed to During Singapore’s early days of come up with the designs during a stamp design, stamps were mostly short timeframe. the work of commercial artists. Local artists like me have been However, local designers were later contributing from that point preferred, beginning from the first onwards. I would spend a lot of set of stamps for the committee of time to research relevant material Economic Commission for Asia for each set of stamps and draw and the Far East (ECAFE). them up, finishing them within Curator Choy Weng Yang was three months. It was a difficult and a committee member then. He rushed process, as I was working recommended to Singapore Post, full-time and designing stamps which was previously known as after work. the General Post Office, that he Later, I went on to design another would suggest a few artists to set of stamps featuring the first 150 design different sets of stamps for years of Singapore. This set was ECAFE. The turnaround deadline very complex as it was a politically- was very soon on that occasion, themed one.

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Heritage Trees Singapore, 2002. Singapore Philatelic Museum Collection. Designed by Eng Siak Loy.

There are two types of stamps: I draw my designs by hand all audience. When I get awarded, my Stamps that feature real subjects, the time. Nowadays, it is easier designs are used for Singapore’s and those that feature semi- as we can use the computer. I published stamps. The stories on abstract subjects or themes, like discuss an idea, then make a the stamps then reach beyond “150 years of Singapore”. The latter sketch, and my son then uses the Singapore, to circulate worldwide. type of stamps use graphics to tell computer to make a montage – The stamp is so small, but the story a story. the process goes like that. There can be very powerful. I can tell the is little difference between using history of Singapore and leave a This particular set of stamps the computer and drawing by legacy. covered many aspects, including hand for graphic stamps, but I still history. I featured Raffles arriving How did working full-time and creating prefer hand-drawing for animals award-winning artwork on the side in Singapore for the first stamp, and realistic subjects. We can drive you? and the Japanese Occupation for control the lightness or boldness of the next. The following stamps I have worked on other projects a single line with our hands, but as a designer at NParks. Fort showed Singapore and Malaysia’s a computer cannot; a line is a line separation, and then Singapore’s Canning also has my work, a few on the computer. I don’t think the pieces, the murals, the signages addition to the United Nations young designers now want to draw (UN). This set took a lot of time are all done by me. The carving is by hand, because the process takes my work, done by Balinese people. to create, but I was very happy to a lot of time. But I’m only good at have accomplished it. That one shows Singapore history. illustrating by hand – I can draw SBG (Singapore Botanic Gardens) I’ve designed around 60 sets of something no matter how small also has a lot of my work. Most of stamps to date. I don’t take part the canvas is. the NParks artworks, sculptures, in every stamp design competition How does it feel, seeing your designs on murals there are all done by me. now, as I’m old and have retired. stamps and people using them? The SBG gate was designed by My son has been successful in the I actually feel happy and very me. The sculptures in Gardens creation for a few sets of stamp proud. I am also an artist, a painter. by the Bay, the kingfishers, the designs. The SG50 stamp set is an If you like my painting and buy it, butterflies, were all designed by example of his stamp design. only your family and friends can me. The fish in the Children’s see it. With museums, it is also Garden, all designed by me. What are the differences being a stamp designer in the past and now, in your the same – only Singaporeans see son’s time? my works. But with stamps I can introduce Singapore to a wider

- 44 - PROFILES JOSEPH CHUNG FORMER POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEE AT GENERAL POST OFFICE, FULLERTON BUILDING Text by Joen Goh

Joseph Chung Saik Tee is 78 What were the highlights of working at and people would send Christmas years old and has a passion the General Post Office (GPO) then? cards and Christmas presents for philately. He even met The Fullerton Building used to through the post during that time. his wife working at the post be called the “Grand Old Dame”, If we were to take medical leave office. He remembers the and some called it the “Elephant during those periods, we would be considered trying to “escape” from unforgettable moments working Building”, because it was majestic and impressive. We used to have the busy work. at the General Post Office at two challenges when working Fullerton Building for 22 years there at the counter and the mail There were ceiling and wall fans, as a postal service employee. operation areas. These were the and no air-conditioning at the He has been working at the first day covers of stamp issues and counter or the mails operation Singapore Philatelic Museum the Christmas pressure period. areas. There are also no computers then, or any battery-operated for 20 years since his retirement Crowds of stamp collectors would calculators. The adding machines, from Singapore Post in 1996. rush in to queue at the stamp as far as I knew, were mostly counters the moment the doors manual. They were from the opened for them to buy first day Olivetti brand and had levers and covers of new stamp issues. Stamp buttons. When you wanted to collecting was very popular and the balance the account, you pressed date stamp impression from GPO the buttons and pulled the levers, made them seem more valuable. and finally you pushed a totalling button. The scales for weighing During the Christmas pressure letters and parcels were all manually period, leave was suspended for the operated. They used non-metric staff working in those departments weights then to balance the scale, as it would be very busy for the which were in pounds and ounces. whole month of December. There Heavier parcels would be weighed weren’t SMSes or emails back then, with the Salter Parcel Scale.

- 45 - PROFILES

inspiring. I remember getting back to my office a bit late and being observed by the supervisor. I never forgot the general election rallies I attended there during my 22 years at the GPO. You are 78 years old and still working! What keeps you going? I love my job and I was promoted View Of the Fullerton Building, Singapore, 1950. to be a postmaster in mid 1970s Photo courtesy of National and that was very satisfying. Archives of Singapore. At the post office I got the chance At one point, I was in the Postal bulbs lighting up at the toilet area. to serve the public and learnt how Development and Planning Whenever I was on midnight duty, to react to different encounters Section located on the mezzanine I would try to ‘control’ myself and when facing the public. We have floor. I had a hand in designing avoid using the toilet until the next seen all kinds of customers but the first locally-made rectangular morning. trained ourselves to stay calm, posting box that was introduced in handle difficult situations and 1971. In that year, it was decided The postal counter in GPO used provide proper service to the that existing red UK Pillar and to be the longest in Southeast Asia. people. We had to be alert and on Lamp posting boxes were to be The postal staff would be sitting our feet all the time. I have always replaced with locally designed at the counter. There was a long treasured that and I am still happy and made posting boxes. Our ledge at the ceiling just behind to serve the public at the Singapore department was called upon to where the postal clerks were Philatelic Museum. seated. The pigeons would fly in design the new Singapore posting Mrs Chung is also in the same line. How box. and roost there. The postal clerks did that happen? selling stamps there were mostly I was inspired by a Cussons talcum ladies, and once the pigeon chicks One day I was sent to the Bukit powder container. The design was hatched, the adult pigeons would Timah post office as part of the approved by the relevant authorities fly in and out, dropping ticks and relief pool staff for two days, with some modifications. mites from their nests. These fell because someone was sick. So I onto the hair, necks and bodies of went there to take over a counter When I walk past a posting box the clerks and it was very itchy! The duty. I said hello to the lady sitting in Singapore today, I have a happy ladies would be serving customers next to me, and she said hello to and humbled feeling that I had a tearing stamps and scratching me too. I Iooked at her, and she hand at designing it. away at the tiny biting insects. It also looked at me. I was sent back Did working at the GPO leave you with was quite a frequent occurrence to that post office a few months unforgettable moments? and very embarrassing. It was also later. This time, I mustered my quite funny! Finally they called courage to chat with her. And it There was a daily working started from there. midnight shift from 12 midnight in the experts and boarded up the until 7 in the morning at the mail ledge and the problem was finally My wife is still working at operation areas on the first floor. solved. The pigeons did not come Singapore Post, and she is on her During the midnight shift, we back anymore. 43rd year of service. She is now would only have skeletal staff to There used to be election rallies attached at the Singapore Post receive the bags of late overseas at the Fullerton Square just next Centre. She was also a postmistress mail brought in by the postal vans. to the Fullerton Building. I before. Eventually when we both The toilet was at the basement floor remember rushing through lunch retire, we would like to spend and it was quite damp and dark. to listen to the late Mr Lee Kwan more time with our three young There were a few incandescent Yew’s rally speeches. He was very grandchildren. PROFILES SINGAPORE FOOTPRINTS STUDENT GUIDES ALONG THE SINGAPORE RIVER Text by Reena Devi “Singapore Footprints” is a team of walking guides from the Nanyang Technological University Tourism and Hospitality Management Club, providing fun, interactive and experiential walking tours for free. Their Singapore River- Bras Basah-Bugis tour takes in people’s lives. Before the bridge tourism students like us can be people down the scenic banks was constructed, people could equipped with a unique skillset, of the Singapore River with only either swim across or take a vital “product knowledge” and the students relating personal sampan to cross the river. After the public-speaking skills. Moreover, anecdotes, shared memories construction of Cavenagh Bridge, it serves as a good platform for and relevant historical it helped to facilitate both human interaction between locals and and traffic flow. tourists to explore Singapore’s facts of the precinct. history, cultures and personal Interestingly, the original bridge experiences. These guided tours Lian Xiu Qin and Christine was not built high enough to allow Poh Yun Li (left and right also enhance our interpersonal the bumboats to pass through skills, given that we interact with in photograph above), who during high tide, and some of different types of tourists each are members of Singapore them had to wait till it was low week. Footprints, shared their tide before crossing under it. To make our tours more interactive, Besides experience and gaining confidence experiences as walking in public speaking, how has being a part guides and their interest we would encourage tourists to of Singapore Footprints impacted you? in heritage with us. participate in our activity and jump on the bridge, to feel the unsteady With this student-led initiative, What is the most historically interesting vibrations of it for themselves. it has greatly improved our site for you along the Singapore River? understanding of Singapore. We To us, one of the most historically What does doing these guided tours believe that “Singapore Footprints” interesting sites along the mean to you? has enabled us to learn more about Singapore River would be the With these tours, we have the Singapore’s background and how Cavenagh Bridge. It is one of the opportunity to be exposed to the government actually mapped oldest bridges in Singapore and the tourism industry beyond out future plans for preserving named after the last Governor of the classroom, and to meet and Singapore’s national heritage from Singapore, Sir William Orfeur interact with people from various as early as the 1980s. We also learnt Cavenagh. In the past, Cavenagh backgrounds each week. We believe how different local communities Bridge was an important feature that with “Singapore Footprints”, assimilate each other’s way of life.

- 47 - PROFILES PIERRE HENNES TRUSTEE OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF ST GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, SINGAPORE Text by Ruchi Mittal Pierre Hennes proudly serves as one of four trustees of the Armenian Church, all of whom work on a voluntary basis. He looks after the opening, closing and upkeep of the Church, and is excited about establishing Asia’s first Armenian museum here in 2016. His passion for entrepreneurship and work for the Church eventually saw him setting up Armenia’s first venture capital firm with business partners that he met through his volunteering work.

What is it like being part of the Armenian 1700s when there were flourishing All of these people combine community here in Singapore? Armenian communities along the to make up our small, humble It is wonderful. I think Armenians trade routes. We’ve been a very community. small and transient community are known for their warm How did the community help when you hospitality, and for being a very here from around 1938 to 2005. first came to Singapore in 2003? tight-knit community. Our Today, the Singapore Armenian What typically happens for most churches throughout Asia serve as community has about a hundred Armenians upon arrival is that beacons inviting our communities people, one-third of whom are they will first look up the location to gather. descendants from the original families who have intermarried. of the Church, and that becomes I’ve been part of this community They don’t speak the language the first port of call. I came here since 2003. The community has and they don’t necessarily look for work 12 years ago, joined the gone through several different Armenian. Church then, and eventually waves of development since the early started volunteering. I decided

- 48 - PROFILES

Mrs P G Collyer (in dark dress), raises her baton and the sound of carol singing fills the air in the little-used Armenian church for the first time in years, 1969. Photo courtesy of Singapore Press Holdings.

that I would offer my help and Today some of my closest friends assistance in any way I can. Our in Singapore are the Armenians community grew from a very I’ve gotten to know over the years. rudimentary 20 people or so, to How has being part of the Church about 100 people today. Now the contributed to your life, personally and community has higher visibility, professionally? we’re more inclusive, and the It opens up the opportunity to Church is open every day. We’ve meet more people. I met my current taken a lot of pains to clean it business partners in Armenia up and repair it in honour of the because of the Church. So, we joke heritage behind it. The museum that everything revolves around that we want to build here is part the Church here. of that effort: We want to build the first Armenian museum in Asia The Church and its community here in Singapore. have a special place. It’s been What has been memorable for you, as a around for 180 years. We find it member and a trustee of the Church? very admirable that the original settlers built the Church in the The memorable moments are in 1830s. A lot of the work we do is to the day-to-day moments: When honour their legacy and the work I read the guestbook, and when that they’ve done. we have weddings, baptisms and community gatherings. This is fundamentally a place for the community to gather, and I’ve been fortunate to have gained a lot of friends through that community.

- 49 - FEATURE / JUBILEE WALK COVER STORY ‘THE

FUTURE Text by Reena Devi OF US’ EXHIBITION

Hosted at Gardens by the Bay, greening and sustainability.” the ‘The Future of Us’ exhibition is an immersive, interactive and Mr Gene Tan explains the link multi-sensory experience that between the location of the raises the question about the heart exhibition at Gardens by the Bay and identity of Singaporeans as a as representative of the context people. Opened on 1st December and messaging of the exhibition. 2015, the exhibition offers a glimpse Gardens by the Bay was essentially of what the future of this country created something out of which looks like based on the ideas and did not previously exist and therein envisioning of Singaporeans. lies the future of Singapore: the ability to choose what we want to The exhibition drew upon these do and do what it takes to create ideas from various avenues that and build it. engage Singaporeans from all walks of life, such as Contact Singapore, As such, the ‘The Future of Us’ Our Singapore Conversations, and exhibition presents glimpses of National Day Parade etc. Mr Gene how we can live, work, learn and Tan, Creative Director, ‘The Future care in the future, a future that is of Us’ exhibition, commented on the for all of us to imagine, shape and interesting overarching themes and strive for, together, based on our threads observed from the public’s shared values as Singapore. input and comments: “There is an emphasis on the kind of values Singaporeans should evolve and continue with for the future with a focus on areas such as living,

All Images Courtesy of Centre for Liveable Cities. - 50 - COMMUNITY HERITAGE TRAIL OUR GEYLANG SERAI Text by Nicole Cheng

Malay kampong houses in Geylang, early-mid 20th century. Collection of: National Museum of Singapore. COMMUNITY HERITAGE TRAIL

01. A Geylang Police Post, Late 19th Century. Collection of National Museum of Singapore.

02. An inter-class drill competition at the Geylang English School sports meet, 1930. Collection of: National Museum of Singapore.

01 “Gelang si paku Gelang, Geylang si rama-rama. Mari pulang, marilah pulang 02 The verse above is from the beloved While Geylang Serai was largely Marilah pulang, local folk song “Gelang Sipaku known as a Malay enclave earlier, Gelang” and while its lyrics are the increasing population of Bersama-sama.” not entirely definitive, the song is the small island nation and the often associated with the Malay departure of the British blurred Verse from community’s strong sense of physical boundaries and created Gelang Sipaku Gelang belonging to Geylang Serai. The more porous communities. People reason for this can be traced back of different religions and cultures to the 1890s, when the British learnt to live in harmony with each forced the Malays and Orang Laut other. Lee Hong Ping was born and (Malay for “Sea People”) to move bred within this united climate. further inland from their original His fondest memories are of the settlement at the mouth of the Lorong 40 Geylang playground Singapore River. next to the Geylang River, where he and family members would They settled at the area now known play at for over a decade, sharing as Geylang Serai, forming one of walks around it and attending the the oldest Malay settlements in many community events nearby, Singapore. The area’s name hints of such as cultural performances and its past as a lemongrass plantation carnivals. with geylang possibly deriving from the Malay word kilang, which Lee gained a deeper understanding means a factory or press-mill, of the rich history and culture of and serai referring to lemongrass. the over 120 clans, associations Much of the area was reclaimed and organisations in Geylang from swamp lands to build the Serai when he became a member foundations for the Geylang Serai of the Geylang Serai Inter-Racial we recognise today. Religious Confidence Circle

- 52 - COMMUNITY HERITAGE TRAIL

03. Children splashing 04. Pre-War 05. Inside the Khadijah themselves with Shophouses. Mosque. Courtesy of water at a kampong Courtesy of Kusala Kusala Photography. (villages) standpipe Photography. in Geylang Serai. 1960s. Collection of National Archives of Singapore.

03

04

05 (IRCC). Hoping to share the considered for driving the trail to the foyer of the once-bustling heritage of the area with a wider experience. cinema. audience, Lee championed a multi-year project to develop the The work on the trails culminated Places of worship are situated the Geylang Serai Foot and Food in the creation of a guide map, throughout the trail. Soon Thian Heritage Trails. allowing one to have an insider’s Keing, the oldest Chinese Temple perspective of Geylang Serai. in Singapore, was established Organised by the Integration and Marked with over 20 sites, the during the Qing dynasty and Naturalisation Champions (INC) trails weave through numerous stands just metres away from Committee and supported by the lorongs (Malay for road) and give a the prayer halls of the Khadijah National Heritage Board, these glimpse into the lives of its residents. Mosque. This is testament to the heritage trails showcase what Important places of worship and peaceful relationship between the Lee described as “the variety and architectural remnants from a diverse religious groups. Another diversity of Geylang Serai [that bygone era are brought to light reflection of the community truly mirror] the multi-racial, on the guide map. A trail-walker spirit and understanding was the multi-cultural Singapore”. Every will see rows of iconic shophouses reaction to a fire in February, trail site was selected carefully, line lorongs on either side, their 2011: It broke out at Chong Hood taking into account a myriad of ceramic tiles and colourful façades Lim Association, a Buddhist factors. At the core of each chosen adorning the shops. Walking temple, and had badly affected the site was the strength of its story – its towards the entrance of the former neighbouring Coronation Baptist history, founding values, objectives Queen’s theatre, one can almost Church. Upon learning that the and the organisation’s faithfulness picture mid-nineteenth century church was unable to conduct to its mission. The architectural residents hurrying in the light of service sessions, the temple conditions at these sites were also ornate street lamps as they flocked association offered to let the church

- 53 - COMMUNITY HERITAGE TRAIL

06. Lim Lam San. A flood 07. Former Queen’s in Geylang Serai. Theatre. Courtesy of 1930s. Photograph. Nicole Cheng. Collection of National Museum of Singapore. Gift of LTC Lim Eng Lian.

06 07 conduct temporary services at one heritage, while continuing to of their newly-acquired activity co-exist harmoniously as good centres. neighbours next to one another”. No less important are the beloved Eager to share other facets of his food haunts on the trail, where community, Lee already has plans one can spot locals gathering and for the launch of more heritage sharing culturally-diverse meals. trails in the future. His and the From enjoying a durian feast with efforts of Geylang Serai INC are 08 friends and family at the “five-foot inspiring, and a reminder that 08. Lee Hong Ping and resident at Amitabha way” along the stalls, to savouring everyone has a unique story to tell Buddhist Centre. soft and fluffy putu piring (Malay in the weaving of our Singapore Courtesy of Kusala Photography. sweet snack) at the renowned Haig Story. Road Centre – the simple pleasures in life remain unchanged from the past. To find out more about the Since its launch in April, the Geylang Serai Foot and Food Geylang Serai Foot and Food Heritage Trail, you can check Heritage Trails have revealed to out their Facebook page at many the fascinating and unique facebook.com/gsheritagetrail, story of a former kampong. or sign up for the monthly Amidst the rapid development of tour at one.pa.gov.sg under our urban landscape, Lee hopes Geylang Serai CCC. that others can also experience Geylang Serai “[in] its current charm and characteristics [and] see very diverse clans, groups and religious organisations like churches, temples and mosques remaining true to their roots, retaining their rich cultures and

- 54 - A BRANCH OF HISTORY

Tembusu Tree on Five Dollar Note. Text and photos courtesy of Lee Yane FEATURE

01

02

01. Tembusu Tree at Botanic Gardens. 02. Tembusu Tree on stamp. 03. Local Artist Eng Siak Loy.

THE FIVE-DOLLAR TREE chopping boards. The tree has been in the 1880s. Given that the tree A majestic icon stands, tucked likened metaphorically to a “lover’s was already mature when Fox away within the Singapore Botanic hard heart” by Singaporean poets. wrote his horticultural guide, it is Gardens (SBG). At 30 metres evident that the “Five-Dollar Tree” While conical in shape when is now well beyond 150 years old! tall, its commanding presence young, tembusu trees tend to dominates its surrounding become very tall and irregularly- ONE OF A KIND landscape. It is a tree – a tembusu – shaped upon maturity. These believed to be at least 150 years old older trees usually grow a few Unmistakably, the most defining and which probably existed before horizontal and short branches, feature of this venerable tembusu the Gardens was set up in 1859. which in turn bear many tall and tree is the thick, low-lying and Perhaps, its most striking feature vertical branchlets. The tembusu twirled horizontal branch that is a curled and low-lying branch, is regarded as a slow-growing tree stems from its main trunk. It which makes it stand out from the that is robust and resistant to many is unclear exactly why this tree other trees in the Gardens. This pests and diseases. sports such a unique branch, but tree holds great significance in the common consensus agrees that nation’s heritage: Affectionately HISTORY OF THE “FIVE- when lower tembusu branches are known as the “Five-Dollar Tree”, DOLLAR TREE” left unpruned, they sag towards it is the iconic tree found on the the ground and then “turn up” as Singapore five-dollar note, drawn The widely-recognised tembusu they continue growing. Moreover, by local artist Eng Siak Loy. is featured on Singapore’s current since this tree existed before five-dollar notes. While thethe Gardens was set up, it likely TEMBUSU TREES actual age and origins of the tree grew amidst lower canopies and are unknown, it had probably The tembusu, also known as the secondary rainforest growth that grown naturally on the leftover existed then, resulting in the low- Fagraea fragrans, is commonly wasteland of gambier planting found in Southeast Asia. The growing branch. It is this iconic days before the SBG was set up. Its branch that gave Singaporean trees are plentiful in Singapore, earliest documentation was in the with many old ones still present artist Eng Siak Loy his inspiration 1880s, by a British named Walter for the five-dollar bill design. at the Tanglin area where flora has Fox. At that time, Fox was the survived the course of Singapore’s Assistant Superintendent of the ON THE FIVE-DOLLAR development. The tembusu bark SBG, a position he held from 1879 NOTE often has deep fissures; it flowers to 1903. Fox had recorded the twice a year in May and October existence of the tembusu tree in his Besides the five-dollar note, Eng with white and yellow blooms, and horticultural guide of the gardens has also designed for the other is often pollinated by nocturnal that was published in 1889, and currency denominations. His moths that feed on its round also produced in the guide the drawings were selected after he won berries. Its wood is durable, tough earliest known photograph of the a design competition organised and frequently used to make “Five-Dollar Tree” to date, taken by the Monetary Association of

- 56 - FEATURE

measures have been taken to Singapore – twelve others across conserve its structural integrity. the country also have the Heritage After many decades of growing Tree status – with a couple on St. without support, the SBG installed John’s Island and Sentosa Island. a wooden prop beneath the low- lying branch in 1992. Then, in That said, perhaps no other 2003, this prop was replaced tembusu tree besides the “Five- with two others for additional Dollar Tree” will ever achieve support. Without these props, the similar historical status. With a iconic branch would possibly have combination of factors – the unique broken off under its own weight low-lying branch, the majesty of and compromised the structural its physical stature, its presence integrity of the entire tree. Still, throughout Singapore’s modern a long-term solution was required history, and its significance on the because those props were static, five-dollar bill – the “Five-Dollar unable to adapt to organic changes Tree” will definitely continue to of a tree and restrictive to a tree’s be a celebrated part of Singapore’s growth patterns. heritage at the SBG. 03 Eventually, a team of engineers Singapore, from which winning from Singapore Technologies designs were selected for the 1999 Singapore Botanic Gardens was Kinetics developed a dynamic inscribed as a UNESCO World Singapore Currency Portrait Series. support system in 2014. It had a Eng has a distinct impression of suspension mechanism to brace Heritage Site on 4 July 2015. the “Five-Dollar Tree” since his the branch at three points without The Gardens is the first and only youth, especially when he worked obstructing its growth. A decision tropical botanic garden on the for the National Parks Board as a was also made to fence the tree up UNESCO’s World Heritage List. graphic designer at the SBG. to prevent visitors from stepping The Tembusu Tree is one of the “The theme for the five-dollar note on its roots and perching on the Heritage Trees in the Gardens. was ‘Garden City’, so I wanted to horizontal branch. According select a tree native to Singapore. I to the National Parks Board, settled on this particular tembusu high visitation had caused soil because it is a distinct landmark that compaction that had hindered locals and tourists recognise at the root growth. It was hoped that Botanic Gardens,” said Eng. “The over time, the leaf litter around main thing I wanted to capture the trunk will decompose and was the unique branch. There are enrich the soil together with soil many tembusu trees around, but organisms, thereby allowing the none of them look like this one, tembusu’s roots to thrive once and you can easily identify this again. tree just by looking at the branch!” Having a photo taken while posing Eng has also incorporated the on the iconic horizontal branch “Five-Dollar Tree” into his designs used to be a popular trend, but it for a “Heritage Trees Stamp” seems unlikely that visitors today series, which went on to win many will get the chance to do so again. international awards. OTHER TEMBUSU TREES CONSERVING THE FIVE- IN SINGAPORE DOLLAR TREE’S HERITAGE The “Five-Dollar Tree” is not the Since the tree is extremely old, only tembusu Heritage Tree in

- 57 - FROM THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY Text by Chung Sang Hong

Chrita Dahulu-kala, Namanya Sam Kok, Atau, Tiga Negri Ber-prang : Chan Kim Boon, Han Teow, 1892 to 1896. Singapore. EXHIBITION

Singapore has inherited a rich THE PRIVATE RAFFLES to 1858) portrays a blissful scene published heritage thanks Over the years, the Library has the Raffles family enjoyed in to its history, socio-political acquired a small collection of Bencoolen (present-day Bengkulu), development and strategic holograph letters by Stamford Sumatra, where Stamford Raffles location at the confluence of Raffles (1781 to 1826) and was the Governor-General from 1817 to 1823. civilisations. It was once the individuals related to him, which publishing hub in the region form an invaluable primary “Our domestic scene is so blessed and a body of printed works, resource material for research on and happy, I scarcely know how manuscripts and records Singapore’s early history and its to describe it – my dear husband’s modern founder. While most of of every description have health and spirit are so bright and the letters in the collection contain survived through the ages. light and his mind so relieved information relating to Raffles’ from anxiety and cheered by the Part of this fascinating legacy public life and endeavours, two consciousness of having performed will be showcased in a new letters featured in the exhibition his duty, thus the present scene exhibition by the National provide glimpses into his private is more than usually happy – my Library of Singapore, From life and character. sweet children are expanding the Stacks: Highlights of the A letter to his cousin (with the daily – my little Lily is so gentle National Library – which takes same name) is the longest private and interesting, that I am sure you place from January 30 to and only autobiographical letter would love her and I am as certain August 28, 2016 at the National by Raffles. It contains a detailed that you would love her bolder Library Gallery. The exhibition account of his career progression brother, because he is a miniature picture of his father in form, in face, presents over 100 items drawn as well as reminiscences of his humble early life. Due to family in manners and I hope hereafter to largely from the library’s add in mind, I have been so blessed Rare Materials Collection: circumstances, Raffles withdrew from school when he was barely as a mother. I ought not to regret Publications, manuscripts, maps, 14 and worked as a clerk with the the expectation of an additional tie documents and photographs East India Company. Despite the next month but I could have been from the 1701 to 1960. Here hardship, he persevered in self- satisfied with the treasures I now are some of the highlights. study and mastered French and possess and in watching them have acquired knowledge in literature formed sufficient occupation.” and science. On his learning and Unfortunately, such happy family poverty he recalled: scenario was very short-lived as “This was, however, in stolen four of their five children did not moments, either before the office survive past early childhood and hours in the morning, or after died of illnesses in the next few them in the evening; and I shall years before Raffles and his family never forget the mortification returned to England in 1824. I felt when the penury of my family once induced my mother 01 to complain of my extravagance in burning a candle in my room. And yet I look back to those days of misery, difficulty, and application with some degree of pleasure. I feel that I did all I could, and I have 01. Letter from Raffles to Reverend Dr Thomas Raffles, At Sea October 14, 1819. nothing to reproach myself with.” Collection of National Library, Singapore. The letter to the same cousin by 02. Close up of letter with signature of Lady Sophia Raffles to Reverend Dr Thomas Raffles’ second wife Sophia (1786 Raffles, Fort Marlborough, April 8, 1820. Collection of National Library, Singapore. 02

- 59 - EXHIBITION

03 – 06 Haji’s book of Malayan nursery rhymes, Arthur Wedderburn Hamilton. Singapore: Printers Ltd, 1939.

07 – 09 Chrita Dahulu-kala, Namanya Sam Kok, Atau, Tiga Negri Ber-prang : 05 Siok, Gwi, Sama Gor di Jaman “Han Teow”, Chan Kim Boon. Singapore : Kim Sek Chye Press, 1892 to 1896.

03 04 06

“MALAYANISED” LITERATURE The Malay language has been the lingua franca of maritime Southeast Asia for centuries.

Traders and travellers had to learn 07 08 09 Malay in order to communicate with the local populations. For “HAJI’S BOOK OF MALAYAN “HAN TEOW” some early diasporic communities NURSERY RHYMES” such as the Peranakans, they This serialised 30-volume novel is adopted the language and spoke a In this collection of popular probably the earliest Baba Malay creolised form of Malay peppered nursery rhymes both the original translation of the Chinese classic with Hokkien words and phrases English version and the Malay Romance of the Three Kingdoms. known as Baba Malay. It is thus translations are featured. In the From 1880s to 1942, translations natural to find that some early latter, some words were replaced of Chinese historical novels in Baba books published in Singapore with local terms to give a familiar Malay were highly popular among were in Malay or about the Malay Malayan setting, for example, “Jack the upper middle class Peranakans language. To help with learning of and Jill” became “Bi dan Akit”. in Java and the Straits Settlements. Malay, dictionaries and grammar The book was intended to be used They were indeed bestsellers of the books were produced. Attempts for learning Malay as it includes a day with a print run of up to 2,000 were even made to teach Malay glossary of Malay vocabulary for for each publication in 1930s. through nursery rhymes, such as the benefit of readers not proficient Among the numerous translators a compilation of English nursery in the language. The book features of such novels in Singapore, rhymes translated into Malay charming illustrations depicting Chan Kim Boon (1851 to 1920) and adapted to local culture. idyllic Malayan lifestyles in the was the most illustrious. A native In the late nineteenth and early pre-World War Two era. of Penang, Chan was educated twentieth century, the Baba Malay in English but received private translations of Chinese historical Hamilton (1887 to 1967) lived in tutoring in Chinese. He pursued novels were very popular among Penang where he learnt Malay and further studies at the Foochow the Peranakan community. became acquainted with the local way of life. He was an officer of Naval School (in present-day Some samples of such ‘Malayanised the Federated Malay States Police, Fuzhou) and went on to teach literature’ are showcased in the a linguist, botanist and an author mathematics in that institution. He exhibition. of Malay text books. came to Singapore in 1872 to work

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10 12 13 as an administrator at law firm “MY FAVOURITE RECIPES” Aitken & Rodyk. However, he was The recipes were meant to create better known for his translations typical European or British fare Romance of three Chinese classics: using local ingredients. Tips on of the Three Kingdoms (Sam Kok) , local weight measurements, food The Water Margin (Song Kang) prices and names of ingredients Journey to the West (Kou Chey and in Malay are given. A small Tian). proportion of the recipes are on RECIPES FROM THE local dishes such as satai (satay), MELTING POT rundang (rendang), curries and gula malacca. Several dishes Singapore’s melting pot of cultures probably would have been rather has produced a rich multi-ethnic exotic to the locals, such as sheep’s culinary heritage with countless brain on toast, sheep’s head broth, recipes passed down through the and jugged sheep’s heart. generations. Certain Singapore- published cookbooks were once This is the first cookbook by regarded as “cookery bibles” and a Singaporean author, Ellice Handy (1902 to 1989), a Eurasian 11 presents a myriad of sumptuous 10 & 11 Malayan dishes. educator. First published in 1952, Image: Cover and an advertisement from it contains recipes from the various The mem’s own cookery book The mem’s own cookery book: 420 tried and The book contains “tried and communities in Malaya and economical recipes for Malaya, tested” recipes which the catered to a cosmopolitan audience W. E. Kinsey. Singapore : Kelly & Walsh, 1929, 3rd edition . author compiled while living in – the book includes a chapter on Seremban, Malaya between 1915 “Asian Recipes that can be used in 12 & 13 and 1919. The recipes emphasise U.K., U.S.A., Australia and places My favourite recipes, on economy due to the shortage of Ellice Handy. where Malayan Curry Ingredients Singapore: MPH, 1960. food and price hikes during World etc., are not available.” War I. It was written for expatriate wives who wished to cook for their On creating the Malayan flavour, households instead of relying on Mrs Handy offered the following local cooks. When first published tips: in 1920, it sold out in a few months.

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14

15 “If we want a Malayan-style dish of There are too many publications Chinese Beehoon (Rice Noodles) or of note in the exhibition to be From the Stacks: Highlights of Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice) we use a highlighted in this article. The the National Library will be held paste of pounded fresh red chillies exhibits cover a wide array of at the National Library Gallery, and blachan (shrimp paste) and topics, from politics, history, onions, instead of or in addition to sociology, language and religion to Level 10, National Library the garlic and onions.” current affairs, nature, travel, food Building, from January 30 to and more. Some of the more novel August 28 2016. Complementing “To European stews we add cloves items on display include an address the exhibition are public and cinnamon and to omelette we to Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh by programmes, including free add plenty of sliced onions and the Singapore Chinese merchants talks, workshops, themed chillies and just before serving on the occasion of his visit in events and guided tours. a teaspoon of soy sauce. When 1869; a 1901 photo album by we roast a chicken the addition G.R. Lambert with images of old For more information, visit of ground cinnamon, cloves and Singapore and what is probably the nlb.gov.sg/exhibitions/ pepper, thick soy sauce and a first travel guidebook of Singapore, little sugar makes it a Chinese- published in 1892. Look out also for style dish, while the addition of the first English-Malay dictionary the “Satay Paste” gives it the very (1701); early nineteenth century popular Malay Satay flavour.” Christian literature published As a culinary classic and the by the Mission Press, the first longest selling local cookbook, 11 printing press in Singapore; one editions have been printed since of the earliest Qur’ans printed in 1952 with the most recent one Singapore (1869); and photographs 14 & 15 of the war crime trials held at the Address to Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh by released in 2012. the Singapore Chinese merchants on the Supreme Court in 1946. occasion of his visit to Singapore in 1869.

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VIETNAMESE 02 WOMEN’S MUSEUM 03 CHRONICLING WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

Text by Reena Devi 04 All Images courtesy of The Vietnamese Women’s Museum

01 ASEAN MUSEUM

The Vietnamese Women’s Museum elephant-mounted troops, Bui Thi Red (Palace of Heaven), white is sited on Ly Thuong Kiet Street Xuan, also contributed to a victory (Palace of Water), yellow (Palace in Hanoi, near the central Hoan against 290,000 Qing Chinese of Earth), and green (Palace of Kiem Lake. With its location on invaders in 1789. Mountains and Forests). the most ancient street in Vietnam’s capital surrounded by French-style The “Women in Family” gallery A trip to this particular exhibition buildings, foreign embassies, hotels focuses more on the development would complement visits to the and government offices in the old of women, as they mature from pagodas in Vietnam, providing quarter, the physical location of teenagers to married women the spiritual and historical the museum introduces the visitor who start new lives as wives context to these places. and mothers. The exhibits also to the beginning of a rich heritage Curated in an accessible manner, experience. showcase wedding rituals in a society with both patrilineal and with quality exhibitions and Reopening in October 2010 after matrilineal descent systems. The well-presented content, the more than four years of renovation, gallery offers insight on practices Vietnamese Women’s Museum is the Vietnamese Women’s Museum related to crop cultivation, fishing a must-go for any first-time visitor is a contemporary and unique and foraging, meal preparation, to Hanoi. Through its diverse gender museum. The Museum pottery, sewing and weaving, and offerings and activities, one can clearly represents how women have childcare. explore the roles of women in always played an important role in modern Vietnamese society, the development and defence of The Museum also holds special learn about the country’s rich the Vietnamese nation. exhibitions, one of which is cultural heritage, and appreciate Worshipping Mother Goddess: Pure the impact of local women’s All museum displays are offered Heart – Beauty – Joy. This exhibit is contribution to the country in three languages: Vietnamese, attractive for visitors interested in throughout its history. English and French. The Museum the dominant form of worship in features three main thematic Vietnam. Worship of the Mother galleries: “Women in Family”, Goddess is a Vietnamese folk belief “Women in History”, and with a long history influenced “Women’s Fashion”. More than by social changes over time. This 1,000 objects and photographs belief is still widely practiced are on display, ranging from today throughout Vietnam and in ceremonial items and documents overseas Vietnamese communities. of war to personal keepsakes and Devotees from all walks of life exquisite clothing. worship the Mother Goddess for good health and good fortune, Historical accounts in the besides drawing emotional support “Women in History” gallery hark for their daily struggles. back to 40 AD, telling a legacy of extraordinary female fighters. The exhibition introduces the key They begin with the famous values of Mother Goddess worship Trung Sisters who led the battle through the voices and experiences for independence against the of worshippers in Hanoi and some Han Chinese, when Trung Trac northern provinces, allowing proclaimed herself Queen and visitors a better understanding of made Me Linh the capital. Then the folk religion. The exhibit is Photos on previous page there was 23-year-old Trieu Thi divided into four sections featuring 01. The Vietnamese Women’s Museum on Trinh of Thanh Hoa who fought the Mother Goddess, pure heart, Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Hanoi. 02. Schoolchildren on a guided tour at against the oppression of the Wu beauty and joy. Each section Women in Family Gallery. Chinese in the third century. King corresponds to one of four colours 03. Students on a guided tour at Women in Quang Trung’s female General identified with the four palaces Fashion Gallery. 04. Altar display at Mother Goddess Commander-in-Chief of the of the Mother Goddess religion: Special Exhibition.

- 64 - FUN WITH HERITAGE ON THE JUBILEE WALK Text by Nurliyana Halid EDUCATION

Looking for fun-filled activities for your family on weekends? Fret not, the Jubilee Walk is here! A trail that connects the past, present and future elements of Singapore, it provides a wonderful opportunity for families to bond and discover more about people and communities who have contributed to our cityscape. A Family Time Jubilee Walk Activity Sheet for Primary 1 to 3 students has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Character and Citizenship Education Branch, creating an avenue for families to bond over meaningful discoveries. This activity sheet features seven of the 23 sites on the trail, making it a more manageable expedition for families with young children.

Here are some tips to note During the walk: in the past? for your walkabout: • Collect all admission stickers After the walk • Each walk lasts about 1.5 to 2 and complete the activities • Present a completed activity hours found on the activity sheet sheet and redeem a limited • Recommended timings to go • Take “we-fies” with your family edition Jubilee Walk gift till for the walkabout are 9am or to capture fun memories and June 30, 2016 (while stocks last)! 5pm tag them on social media and Each activity sheet allows one #FunWithHeritage gift redemption at the following • Admission to the museums is locations: free for all Singaporeans/PRs • Take short breaks in between. You can consider having a - The Peranakan Museum • Please bring along the activity family picnic at the Picnic front desk sheet for the walk Terrace at Fort Canning - Museum Label Shop at • Wear comfortable shoes and Park. the National Museum of clothes Singapore • Pack drinks and light snacks Guiding questions to ask your - Museum Label Shop at the such as sandwiches, biscuits or children/wards: Asian Civilisations Museum fruits With the Jubilee Walk, you can • The “Jubilee Walk Mobile App” • Take a closer look at some of look forward to spending quality is also available for download at the buildings. Are the buildings time with your wards or children the Apple and Android Store old or newly-built? What makes you say that? and creating a family photo • Some of the buildings used montage of the pictures taken to be schools. Have you ever at the various iconic sites. There wondered how schools are like are also opportunities for rich conversations about the pioneers of Singapore, discussing how they have contributed to our nation and the values they are representative of.

- 66 - WHAT’S ON THE SINGAPORE JOURNEY: 50 YEARS THROUGH STAMPS Singapore Philatelic Museum DAILY Ongoing to April 2016 Daily I 10 am to 7pm $6 for adults and $4 for children (3 to 12 years old). Free admission for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents Singapore stamps document the growth of the nation, archiving trials, tribulations, achievements and aspirations. Journey through 50 years of our nation’s progress with specially selected stamps, philatelic materials and rarely seen original stamp artworks. Let these remarkable treasures tell you the story of Singapore in a way only they can. For more information, BALESTIER: A HUNDRED YEARS TREASURES OF THE WORLD please visit spm.org.sg FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall Ongoing to April 24 National Museum of Singapore MORE THAN MONKEYS Tuesday to Sunday I 10 am to 5 pm Ongoing to May 29 Singapore Philatelic Museum Free admission for Singaporeans 10 am to 6 pm January to December 2016 and Permanent Residents Explore the finest artefacts the world Daily I 10 am to 7 pm In conjunction with SG50, Sun has to offer at this highly-anticipated $6 for adults and $4 for children (3 – 12 Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is exhibition from the British Museum! years). Free admission for Singapore organising the Balestier: A Hundred Citizens and Permanent Residents. Featuring stunning relics from ancient Years special exhibition to celebrate civilisations and treasures spanning More Than Monkeys explores the the rich heritage and multi-cultural Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, fascinating world of monkeys through society of Singapore. This exhibition as well as Europe, Asia and the stamps and philatelic materials. narrates the century-long history of Americas, this extensive collection Swinging from tree to tree is no the Balestier precinct, features the encompasses over two million years monkey business. Their agility allows characteristics and development of the of abundant culture and history. them to move with ease in the trees settlements in the area and highlights to search for food and stay away For more information, please how the different communities lived from predators on the ground. Are visit nationalmuseum.sg and interacted in this precinct. these primates clever or is it just For more information, please “monkey see, monkey do”? Let More visit wanqingyuan.org.sg Than Monkeys provide the answer and separate the facts from fables. For more information, WHAT’S please visit spm.org.sg ON EVENT LISTINGS

WITH LOVE FROM SNOOPY, CHARLIE BROWN & THE PEANUTS GANG IN CONJUNCTION WITH SNOOPY & CHARLIE BROWN: THE PEANUTS MOVIE Singapore Philatelic Museum speaks to readers around the world, Ongoing to April 2016 filled with winless baseball seasons, Daily I 10 am to 7 pm lonely vigils for the Great Pumpkin, and $6 for adults and $4 for children (3 to 12 a kite-eating tree. The daily comic strip years old). Free admission for Singapore has appeared in 75 countries and 21 Citizens and Permanent Residents. languages, including Croatian, Malay, Tlingit and Catalan. The characters Singapore Philatelic Museum can be found on plush dolls, music celebrates the 65th anniversary of boxes, salt and pepper shakers, tub the Peanuts comic strips created FROM THE STACKS: toys, lunch boxes, band-aids, model by Charles M.Schulz. The comic HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIONAL kits and countless other items. strip made its first appearance on LIBRARY EXHIBITION October 2, 1950. December 2015 also DISPLAY COMIC STRIPS National Library of Singapore celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Gallery, Level 10, National Library Building Even after producing almost 18,000 animated Peanuts. The first animated January 30 to August 28 comic strips, Schulz remained devoted film was a Christmas special aired Daily I 10 am to 9 pm to Peanuts. When questioned about the on TV in USA on December 9, 1965. overwhelming passion for to his work, Free admission Schulz’s journey with Peanuts comic Schulz explained, “Why do musicians Documents, publications and strips began in 1950. After many mailbox compose symphonies and poets write photographs from Singapore’s early rejections, Schulz boarded a train from poems? They do it because life wouldn’t days reveal fascinating insights into St. Paul to New York with a handful of have any meaning for them if they didn’t. our history and culture. Discover early drawings for a meeting with United That’s why I draw cartoons. It’s my life.” Singapore from a fresh perspective Feature Syndicate. On October 2 of that through over 100 highlights from the On February 12, 2000, Schulz died in year, Peanuts, named by the syndicate, National Library’s collection of rare Santa Rosa, California, of complications debuted in seven newspapers. 50 years publications, manuscripts, documents, from colon cancer. Just a few later, Peanuts appeared in over 2,600 maps, photographs and more. hours later, his final original strip newspapers worldwide and Charles appeared in the Sunday papers. M. Schulz had become a household Receive a complimentary souvenir when you visit the exhibition! name. The strip continues to maintain For more information, please For more information, please its universal appeal throughout visit spm.org.sg five distinctly different decades visit nlb.gov.sg/exhibitions/ Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang created a universal language that

- 68 - EVENT LISTINGS

the French phase of the Indochinese VICTORIA THEATRE AND BETWEEN HERE & NANYANG: war of resistance against the VICTORIA CONCERT HALL: A MARCO HSU’S BRIEF HISTORY Americans, and drawings and sketches MONUMENT TO OUR HISTORY OF MALAYAN ART of life and people at the frontlines. HERITAGE GALLERY NUS Museum For more information, please Preservation of Sites and Monuments Ongoing to August 28 visit nus.edu.sg/museum Victoria Concert Hall, Level 3 Free admission Daily I 10 am to 9 pm $10 for adults and $30 for a family of In 1963, art critic and columnist Marco four. $4 for adults, $2 for children and Hsu published a series of essays on $12 for a family of four for Singaporeans the cultural history of the people and Permanent Residents. of the Malayan Peninsula. These were gathered and published as the Did you know the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall originated as two book A Brief History of Malayan Art. buildings, built at different times? Visit Presented on the 50th anniversary of A Monument to Our History and learn the book’s publication, this exhibition more about this national monument’s features art and artefacts referred to rich history and outstanding in the book. They highlight questions architectural features, through a of identity and nation-building display of photographs and memories raised on the eve of a merger. shared by many who have cherished this gem of a performance venue. For more information, please visit nus.edu.sg/museum For more information, GREAT PERANAKANS: FIFTY please visit nhb.gov.sg/psm REMARKABLE LIVES OPEN EXCESS | PREP-ROOM Peranakan Museum NUS Museum Ongoing to April 3 Ongoing to May 15 Free admission for Singaporeans Free admission and Permanent Residents Beginning from a collection of books Great Peranakans celebrates the and publications donated to the achievements of 50 men and women NUS Museum by art historian TK who have shaped Singaporean life and Sabapathy, Open Excess is a prep- culture over the past two centuries. room initiative dealing with the These pioneers made important SURRENDER CHAMBERS question of the library, the role of contributions in art, culture, education, GUIDED COMMENTARY business, governance, and public publications, accessibility, and visibility/ Resorts WorldTM Sentosa service. Collectively, their stories and transparency in relation to the region Fort Siloso Surrender Chambers, Sentosa more than 100 objects from their lives of Southeast Asia and its discourse. invite greater contemplation of evolving Daily I 10 am to 6 pm Every 30 minutes For more information, please Peranakan and Singaporean identities. visit nus.edu.sg/museum $6 for adults and $4.50 for children (3 to 12 years old). Admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents is $5 for adults VIETNAM 1954-1975: WAR and $3.50 for children (3 to 12 years old). DRAWINGS AND POSTERS FROM Relive the fall of Singapore 70 years THE AMBASSADOR DATO’ N ago when the British surrendered to PARAMESWARAN COLLECTION the Japanese troops. The gallery of NUS Museum the Fort Siloso Surrender Chambers Ongoing to April features two significant surrender Free admission ceremonies in Singapore during Vietnam 1954 – 1975 features the WWII. A guided commentary is collection of Dato’ N Parameswaran, available to bring you through the which commenced while he was exhibitions, as you go back in time. Malaysia’s ambassador to Vietnam from For more information, 1990 to 1993. This collection comprises please visit sentosa.com.sg posters, woodcuts and drawings from

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Permanent Residents is $5 for adults and $3.50 for children (3 to 12 years old). Relive the fall of Singapore 70 years WEEKLY ago when the British surrendered to the Japanese troops. The Surrender Chambers gallery at Fort Siloso features two significant surrender ceremonies in Singapore during WWII. A guided commentary is FORT SILOSO GUIDED TOUR available to bring you through the exhibitions, as you go back in time. Siloso Point, Sentosa Daily I 11:30 am to 1 pm, 1:30 pm to 3 pm, Go back in time and experience 2 pm to 3:30 pm, 4 pm to 5:30 pm these surrenders with our guided $20 for adults and $7 for children (7 to 12 commentary available every 30 minutes. years old). Admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents is $15 for adults For more information, and $5 for children (7 to 12 years old) please visit sentosa.com.sg LET’S PLAY! TRADITIONAL Maximum group size of 20 guests for each tour MALAY GAMES Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) Learn why the Fort was built, Every Tuesday I 10 am to 10:45pm discover life as a soldier, and and 3 pm to 3:45 pm explore preserved underground ammunition stores and WWII-era Come and learn more about traditional guns. Experience the Fort with our Malay games at the MHC! Learn skills guides in our 90-minute walking tour. you will need to play capteh, main lereng (wheel spinning), congkak (traditional The tour will retrace the historically Malay board game), batu seremban (five preserved remains at the fort to stones) and many more. This 45-minute discover the purpose of the various session will also invite participants to fortified structures and the guns use their creativity as they invent new they serve, ending with a visit to GUIDED TOUR OF MALAY and fun games with newfound items. the Surrender Chambers to witness HERITAGE CENTRE the two historic surrender moments Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) that changed the life of the people WEEKEND TOUR OF FROM Registration and starting point of Singapore during WWII. at Visitor Services Counter For more information, Tuesday to Friday I 11 am to 12:15 pm please visit sentosa.com.sg Saturday to Sunday I 2 pm to 3:15 pm Join our free guided tours of MHC’s permanent galleries and learn more about Kampong Glam as well as its significance to the Malay community from our museum docents. Tours are conducted in English and limited to 20 people per tour. THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS OF For groups of more than 20 people, THE NATIONAL LIBRARY please book your tours two weeks (CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH) in advance. For corporate or special National Library of Singapore FORT SILOSO SURRENDER needs tours, please email your Gallery entrance, Level 10, CHAMBERS request to [email protected]. Siloso Point, Sentosa National Library Building Daily I 10 am to 6 pm, last admission at 5:30 pm The availability of the guided February 20, 21, 27, 28 $6 for adults and $4.50 for tours is subject to the availability March 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 children (3 to 12 years old) of our volunteer docents. 1 pm to 2 pm Admission for Singaporeans and Admission is free

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Join in our docent-led tours to explore progress and advancement of our the rich treasures of Singapore’s CURATOR’S TOUR OF FROM port, focusing on its history and the published heritage from the collections THE STACKS: HIGHLIGHTS OF stories of the people in the maritime of the National Library and discover THE NATIONAL LIBRARY sector who have contributed to the nation’s maritime success. Launched fascinating stories from our past. (CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH) in May 2015, this second trail is an Limited to 20 participants, on a National Library of Singapore extension of the 2014 Singapore first-come-first-served basis. Gallery entrance, Level 10, Maritime Trail 1, which included a tour National Library Building For more information, of local maritime heritage sites. please visit nlb.gov.sg/exhibitions/ February 19 | March 18 |April 15 |May 27 |June 17 | July 15 | August 19 The guided tours are open to the 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm public and spaces are limited. For PUBLIC GUIDED TOUR Admission is free registration, please call 6836 6466 Mint Museum of Toys (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6:30 pm) Join in our Curator’s-led tours Every Wednesday | 3.30 pm or email [email protected]. Admission is $15 for adults, $7.50 to explore the rich treasures of for children and senior citizens, Singapore’s published heritage from $98 (includes museum admission inclusive of complimentary tour. the collections of the National Library and workshop materials for two) and discover fascinating stories from Jump back in time to a world of For more information, our past. Registration is required. vintage toys and cartoon characters, please visit emint.com, and get to know the fascinating For more information, please visit nlb. email [email protected] stories behind them. From vintage gov.sg/golibrary/programme/Tours.aspx or call 63390660. toy designs to complete collections and rare toy exhibits, the tour will SINGAPORE MARITIME TRAIL 1 bring you on a nostalgic journey If you wish to feature your of rediscovery and imagination. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore events, please email us Lobby of Swissotel The Stamford at [email protected] Registration opens 15 minutes prior to Every first Saturday of the month, the start of the tour. Each tour session 8:45 am to 11:30 am All details and information is limited to 20 participants, and is Free Admission were correct at time of on a first-come-first-served basis. Take a tour of local maritime heritage publishing but could be subject For more information, sites on Singapore Maritime Trail to change. You may wish to please visit emint.com 1 – including Fort Canning and Boat check with event organisers Quay – and trace the progress of before setting off. NHB Singapore’s maritime sector. cannot accept responsibility For Singapore Maritime Trail 1, for any errors or omissions. MONTHLY participants start the tour by boarding a bus at the lobby of Swissotel The Stamford. Then, they will visit some maritime heritage GALLERIES ALIVE! sites on foot and finish the tour Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) at Harbourfront MRT station. Traditional Malay Music | Every third Wednesday of the month For more information, please call 6836 Wayang Kulit I Every third 6466 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6:30 Thursday of the month pm) or email [email protected] Watch MHC’s permanent galleries come alive with live performances SINGAPORE MARITIME TRAIL 2 of traditional music or enjoy a Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore wayang kulit performance as our Every second Saturday of the dalang tells the stories of Sang month, 9 am to 11:30 am Kancil and his adventures. Free Admission For more information, The Singapore Maritime Trail 2 takes please visit malayheritage.org.sg visitors on a journey that maps out

- 71 - A CIVIL DEFENCE HEALTHZONE THE ARMY MUSEUM HERITAGE GALLERY1 Level 2, Health Promotion OF SINGAPORE2 62 Hill Street, Board, 3 Second Hospital 520 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 179367 Avenue, Singapore 168937 Singapore 638367 +65 6332 2996 1800 435 3616 +65 6861 3651 scdf.gov.sg/community- hpb.gov.sg/healthzone/ volunteers/visit- ART RETREAT MUSEUM* scdf-establishments/ HOME TEAM GALLERY*1 10 Ubi Crescent, Lobby C, cd-heritage-gallery 501 Old Choa Chu Kang #01-45/47, Ubi Techpark, Road, Singapore 698928 THE CHANGI MUSEUM1 Singapore 498564 +65 6465 3726 +65 6749 0880 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707 I artretreatmuseum.com +65 6214 2451 IEXPERIENCE CENTRE ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM changimuseum.com.sg B1-10/19 Esplanade Xchange, 90 Bras Basah 10 Bayfront Avenue, Road, Singapore 189562 Singapore 018956 E +65 6820 6880 +65 6688 8826 EURASIAN HERITAGE iexperience.sg marinabaysands. CENTRE com/museum.html 139 Ceylon Road, INDIAN HERITAGE The Museum Roundtable (MR) is an Singapore 429744 CENTRE2 ASIAN CIVILIZATIONS initiative led by National Heritage MUSEUM2 +65 6447 1578 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924 1 Empress Place, eurasian.org.sg Board since 1996. It represents and Singapore 179555 +65 6291 1601 F Indianheritage.org.sg comprises a collective of public and +65 6332 7798 FORT SILOSO acm.org.sg private museums, heritage galleries, Sentosa Island, Siloso THE INTAN *1 Point, Singapore 099981 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, B Singapore 427231 and unique attractions of science BABA HOUSE*1 1800 736 8672 +65 6440 1148 157 Neil Road, sentosa.com.sg and discovery in Singapore. With the-intan.com Singapore 088883 FU TAK CHI MUSEUM 2,3 more than fifty members currently, +65 6227 5731 76 Telok Ayer Street, IRAS GALLERY1 nus.edu.sg/museum/baba Singapore 048464 Revenue House, 55 the MR strives to develop a stronger Newton Road, Level 1, THE BATTLE BOX3 +65 6580 2888 Singapore 307987 museum-going culture in Singapore 2 Cox Terrace, fareastsquare.com.sg +65 6351 2076 Singapore 179622 iras.gov.sg/irashome/ while positioning museums as +65 6338 6144 G irasgallery.aspx unique and fascinating destinations. GAN HERITAGE CENTRE* THE BUILDING & 18 Bukit Pasoh Road, L CONSTRUCTION Singapore 089832 AUTHORITY GALLERY*3 LAND TRANSPORT Please visit museums.com.sg for +65 6223 0739 GALLERY1 Building Construction & Authority ganclan.sg 1 Hampshire Road, Block 1 more information. Level 1, Singapore 219428 200 Braddell Road, GRASSROOTS Singapore 579700 HERITAGE CENTRE1 +65 6396 2550 +65 6248 9930 National Community lta.gov.sg/ltgallery/ index.html bcaa.edu.sg/learning- Leaders Institute, 70 journey-sites/bca-gallery Buona Vista Road, LEE KONG CHIAN Singapore 118176 NATURAL HISTORY C +65 6672 5200 MUSEUM CHINATOWN nacli.pa.gov.sg/ 2 Conservatory Drive, HERITAGE CENTRE3 grassroots-heritage- Singapore 117377 48 Pagoda Street, centre.html +65 6516 5082 Singapore 059207 lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg +65 6534 8942 H chinatownheritagecentre.sg HDB GALLERY1 M HDB Hub, Basement 1, MALAY HERITAGE CHINESE HERITAGE 480 Toa Payoh Lorong CENTRE2 CENTRE2 6, Singapore 310480 * By Appointment Only 85 Sultan Gate, Nanyang Technological 1 hdb.gov.sg/hdbgallery Singapore 198501 Free University, 12 Nanyang 2 Free for Singapore Drive, Singapore 637721 +65 6391 0450 Citizens and Permanent +65 6513 8157 malayheritage.org.sg Residents chc.ntu.edu.sg 3 Opening soon MUSEUM ROUNDTABLE

MARINA BARRAGE1 NGEE ANN CULTURAL REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE SINGAPORE PHILATELIC 8 Marina Gardens Drive, CENTRE1 AIR FORCE MUSEUM1 MUSEUM2 Singapore 018951 97 Tank Road, 400 Airport Road, 23-B Coleman Street, +65 6514 5959 Teochew Building, Paya Lebar Airbase, Singapore 179807 Singapore 238066 Singapore 534234 pub.gov.sg/Marina/ +65 6337 3888 Pages/Sustainable- +65 6737 9555 +65 6461 8507 spm.org.sg Singapore-Gallery.aspx ngeeann.com.sg/en/ mindef.gov.sg/imindef/ ngee-ann-cultural-centre mindef_websites/ SINGAPORE SPORTS MEMORIES AT OLD atozlistings/air_force/ MUSEUM2 1 FORT FACTORY2 NUS MUSEUM about/museum.html 6 Stadium Walk, 351 Upper Bukit Timah University Cultural Centre, Singapore 397698 Road, Singapore 588192 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, S +65 6653 9710 +65 6462 6724 Singapore 119279 SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE2 sportshub.com.sg/ nad.gov.sg/moff +65 6516 8817 venues/Pages/singapore- nus.edu.sg/museum 15 Science Centre Road, sports-museum.aspx MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Singapore 609081 HERITAGE CENTRE P +65 6425 2500 SUN YAT SEN NANYANG MEMORIAL HALL2 402 Commonwealth PERANAKAN MUSEUM2 science.edu.sg Drive, Singapore 149599 39 Armenian Street, 12 Tai Gin Road, +65 6838 1614 Singapore 179941 THE SGH MUSEUM1 Singapore 327874 moeheritagecentre.sg +65 6332 7591 11 Third Hospital Avenue, +65 6256 7377 Singapore 168751 peranakanmuseum.org.sg wanqingyuan.org.sg MINT MUSEUM OF TOYS +65 6326 5294 26 Seah Street, POLICE HERITAGE sgh.com.sg/about-us/ T Singapore 188382 CENTRE*1 sgh-museum/Pages/ TAN TOCK SENG +65 6339 0660 28 Irrawaddy Road, SGH-Museum.aspx HOSPITAL HERITAGE Singapore 329560 MUSEUM1 emint.com SINGAPORE ART +65 6478 2123 MUSEUM2 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, N Level 1, Singapore 308433 police.gov.sg/spfheritage 71 Bras Basah Road, NATIONAL HEALTHCARE +65 6357 8266 GROUP POLYCLINICS’ Singapore 189555 GALLERY OF MEMORIES1 R +65 6589 9580 ttsh.com.sg/TTSH- RED DOT DESIGN Heritage-Museum Level 3 of Bukit Batok singaporeartmuseum.sg MUSEUM1 Polyclinic, 50 Bukit W Batok West Avenue 3, Ground Floor, Red SINGAPORE CITY WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM1 Singapore 659164 Dot Traffic Building, GALLERY1 28 Maxwell Road, 10 Buangkok Green, +65 6355 3000 45 Maxwell Road, The URA Singapore 069120 Centre, Singapore 069118 Buangkok Green Medical nhgp.com.sg Park, Singapore 539747 +65 6327 8027 +65 6321 8321 +65 6389 2000 NATIONAL LIBRARY museum.red-dot.sg ura.gov.sg/uol/citygallery GALLERY1 REFLECTIONS AT 100 Victoria Street, SINGAPORE COINS BUKIT CHANDU2 Singapore 188064 AND NOTES MUSEUM 31-K Pepys Road, +65 6332 3255 20 Teban Gardens Singapore 118458 Crescent, Singapore nlb.gov.sg/golibrary/ +65 6375 2510 608928 exhibitions.aspx nhb.gov.sg/ +65 6895 0288 NATIONAL MUSEUM NHBPortal/Museums/ scnm.com.sg OF SINGAPORE2 ReflectionsatBukitChandu 93 Stamford Road, SINGAPORE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE Singapore 178897 DISCOVERY CENTRE NAVY MUSEUM1 +65 6332 3659 510 Upper Jurong Road, 112 Tanah Merah Coast Singapore 638365 nationalmuseum.sg Road, Singapore 498794 +65 6792 6188 +65 6544 5147 NEWATER VISITOR sdc.com.sg CENTRE1 mindef.gov.sg/content/ 20 Koh Sek Lim Road, imindef/mindef_ SINGAPORE MARITIME Singapore 486593 websites/atozlistings/ GALLERY1 navymuseum/home.html +65 6546 7874 Marina South Pier, Level 2, 31 Marina Coastal pub.gov.sg/water/ Drive, Singapore 018988 newater/visitors/ Pages/default.aspx +65 6325 5707 maritimegallery.sg

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