Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City

Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City, runs from 24 May 2025 to 9 October 2026. This special exhibition anchors on Singapore’s maritime connections,  inviting visitors to discover and learn more about Singapore’s maritime history and heritage, how the sea and river have shaped Singapore’s evolution from a bustling 14th century port to a global maritime powerhouse of today. 

Featuring over 350 artefacts from the National Collection, the exhibition traces the constant flows of people, goods, and ideas from around the world that have ben collectively won the rich and diverse fabric of our nation, with centuries of history under its belt to its present day. This also further reflects our shared journey over the years and commitment to build a shared future.

Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore, said, “As we celebrate SG60, Once Upon a Tide offers a timely opportunity for us to reflect on our nation’s remarkable journey of progress and transformation that is shaped by its connections in the region and beyond. These values of openness and interconnectedness remain relevant and crucial today, as we constantly adapt and innovate to navigate a landscape that is highly globalised and increasingly turbulent. We hope this exhibition will inspire Singaporeans to think about the collective future they envision for our nation.” 

Ms Tan Su-Yin, Senior Director (Grants), Tote Board, shared: “Tote Board is honoured to play a role in commemorating Singapore’s 60th year of independence through our support of various SG60 programmes. At the heart of these celebrations is Once Upon a Tide, which chronicles Singapore’s remarkable transformation. The exhibition is a testament to our collective achievements and the unwavering spirit that has defined Singapore’s progress over six decades. Through our support of Once Upon a Tide and other SG60 initiatives, Tote Board continues our commitment to fostering social cohesion and celebrating our shared heritage. These programmes provide platforms for Singaporeans to come together, reflect on our journey, and strengthen the bonds that make our society uniquely Singaporean.” 

Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Singapore, said, “As Principal Sponsor of Once Upon a Tide, HSBC is proud to play a part in celebrating Singapore’s remarkable growth from a small fishing village to a global financial powerhouse –a journey we’ve been a part of since opening our first branch here along the busy port of Singapore 148 years ago. Our support of this exhibition underscores our continued commitment towards fostering meaningful international connections, partnering businesses, and opening opportunities that contribute to the next chapter of the nation’s growth at this pivotal moment in history.” 

Five Immersive Sections in your Journey of Discovery at Once Upon a Tide

There are five immersive sections in this special exhibition, each represents different aspects of Singapore’s evolution that are brought to life through experiential storytelling. Let’s begin your voyage journey into Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City.

First Section – Always on the Map

In the beginning, travel back in time to discover and learn Singapore’s deep historical roots and its prominence on a regional and global scale, long before the arrival of the British in 1819. Observe the maps on display inside this section, learn about how much of Singapore’s neighbouring waters were surveyed and drawn on those maps, prior to the arrival of the Sir Stamford Raffles and the East India Company into Singapore in 1819.

There are key artefacts on display inside this first section, showcasing Singapore’s strategic position at a crossroads of global flows, as one of the key port settlements in the Malay World and Chinese trade networks. 

Second Section – The River Road

As you continue travelling through history and time inside Once Upon a Tide, sail through the history of Singapore River. How important is Singapore River in Singapore’s maritime history and heritage? The evolution of Singapore River also mirrors the economic development of Singapore.

Singapore River played key roles in Singapore’s maritime trade routes, with known trading settlements along the Singapore River. Over the centuries, the Singapore River played a vital role in shaping Singapore’s transformation into a global trading hub, from coaling to shipbuilding industries, becoming an icon of Singapore’s growth and progress. 

There is a Sampan Challenge for visitors to take on! Come and “row across” the Singapore River!

Third Section – Expanding Horizons

For a small island country, Singapore grew bigger through land reclamation, as she has to constantly deal with land scarcity. Through land reclamation, this allows the widening of further development and growth, and also reshaping Singapore’s relationship with the sea.

There is a digital slider map that you have to experience it for yourself, you can visually trace and view the changing coastlines of Singapore across the centuries, from the colonial times to modern Singapore today.

Forth Section – Flows of People

Singapore’s identity is built on the bedrock of multiculturalism. Flows of People pays tribute to individuals that laid the hard work and foundations for Singapore’s development into a modern cosmopolitan city, from the early settlers to modern workers of today. 

For this section, it examines the living experiences of the people who built our nation, provided transport services, those that defended Singapore, and those that cared for others within society. Through intimate audio and video testimonials, visitors can hear directly from them, and be inspired by members of these communities. 

Check out the photographic artefacts and personal mementos, offering insights into the various trades, and also a slice of the diversity of those that helped to build the nation of today’s Singapore.

Fifth Section – Making Waves

At the finale section, Making Waves is dedicated to giving spotlight to Singaporeans, homegrown businesses and organisations that make waves and headlines globally, across the areas of diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, innovation and hub development from 1965 to the present day.

On the wall of this section, there is a quote/question, “How do we define success today? What does it mean to make an impact on the world?” Check out the stories of Singaporeans trailblazers who travelled on the road less travelled, redefining success and shaping an ever-evolving Singaporean identity on the world stage.

Don’t miss the Singlish words that make it into Oxford Dictionary, our favourite local cuisines celebrated around the world, celebrate Singapore’s uniqueness that gained international recognition. Do take part in an interactive Singlish quiz to test your knowledge of Singaporean language that has become a cultural marker of pride.

There is a diverse range of artefacts that document Singapore’s achievements across various fields that are on display, they are tangible reminders of Singapore’s global prominence. From athletes Joseph Schooling, Maximilian Maeder, Shanti Pereira, and Loh Kean Yew, to pianist Margaret Leng Tan, and filmmaker Eric Khoo, among others. 

If you are inspired by the stories and artefacts inside this section, you are invited to contribute objects and stories as part of National Museum’s Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative that returns this year, with a focus on “Wave Makers”.

Your contributions will help National Museum of Singapore build up their collection and tell more diverse stories of Singaporeans who make us proud globally. For more information on this public call, please visit National Museum of Singapore website. 

Shaping Your Future: What does the future hold? What paths will Singapore take?

Before you exit the exhibition, you are invited to reflect and share, on how Singapore’s identity and definition of success have evolved over time through an RFID-based personalised experience. 

The questions are spread across the exhibition sections, and you van use the RFID wristbands collected at the start of the exhibition to answer them.

At the end of the exhibition, visitors will be assigned one of four avatars based on their response throughout the experience. Each avatar reflects one’s individual values, priorities, and aspirations for Singapore’s future. They also contribute to a larger cityscape visual that represents the collective vision of the future of Singapore, co-created by all who participated. 

Get Curious! Building Our Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore Children’s Season is a highly anticipated event, returning with Get Curious! Building Our Singapore, designed as a complement to Once Upon a Tide. 

Introducing younger visitors to the builders of Singapore

This year’s Children’s Season continues the journey for discovery for young visitors, especially on the themes of people who built Singapore, and how Singapore continues to build her identity and “Make Waves” internationally, in tandem with the Once Upon a Tide exhibition sections four and five, Flows of People & Making Waves.

This year’s Children’s Season edition features an interactive installation and an intergenerational showcase – Get Curious! Building Our Singapore and Our Mama Shop showcase. 

The installation invites children to explore how different communities contributed to the growth of Singapore. At the Our Mama Shop showcase, children can connect and learn more about our common Singapore identity and uniquely local cultural elements. 

My Personal Journey across Once Upon a Tide

This journey across into Once Upon a Tide was a very enriching and learning experience for me. The content and curation goes a lot deeper and further than what learn in our history books in school, and the time before Sir Stamford Raffles arrival in 1819.

In the first section, this was an area of great interest to me. What was Singapore like before the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819? That’s so much more to learn about Singapore’s history!

For those who love reading and analysing maps of all kinds (navigation, topographical etc), Once Upon a Tide will definitely interest you greatly, as it has done for me. Just by walking through the maps from the first section to the fifth section, you can see for yourselves how much Singapore has transformed over the centuries. 

A worthy and fitting theme, Once Upon a Tide is a rich and intense history, heritage and cultural exhibition to mark Singapore’s (SG60) 60th anniversary celebrations, how Singapore is making waves around the world, even though we are a young and small country (by land size). 

Once Upon a Tide and Children’s Season Information and Admission Details

Once Upon a Tide: Singapore’s Journey from Settlement to Global City

• Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Exhibition Gallery 1 and 2, Basement Level 
• Date: 24 May 2025 – 9 October 2026
• Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm daily (last ticket sales at 6pm, last gallery admission at 630pm)

Admission Fee: 

• Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents
• Tickets range from $18 (Concession) to $24 (Tourists and non Permanent Residents)

For more information, please visit https://go.gov.sg/onceuponatide 

Get Curious! Building Our Singapore

Entry to Get Curious! Building Our Singapore installation and showcase are free for all. Some programmes are ticketed. 

• Date: 24 May – 29 June
• Opening Hours: 10am – 12:30pm, 1:30pm – 6pm daily
• Venue: Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement

Our Mama Shop Intergenerational Showcase

1. Date: 24 May – 29 June
2. Opening Hours: 10am – 12:30pm, 1:30pm – 6pm daily 
3. Venue: The Salon, Level 1

For more information on Children’s Season, please visit https://go.gov.sg/nms-cs2025 

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These art prices join over 2,500 artworks from world-renowned museums and galleries, including Louvre Museum, The Met, the Van Gogh Museum, the National Gallery Singapore, and many others. With the matte display feature on Samsung’s The Frame TV, the texture of the on-screen display provides a realistic art experience that turns art into a showpiece, bringing art galleries into your home. 

Samsung x NHB Partnership

The collection for Samsung Art Store is jointly curated by Samsung and NHB. The 10 artworks selected were representative of the National Collection, which serves to connect the past, present, and future generations of Singaporeans. The curated artworks are deemed best to be displayed on a 4K display like The Frame TV.

The collection includes ‘The Esplanade from Scandal Point’, a painting by John Turnbull Thomson which depicts our National Monument the Padang as a centre of social life as far back as the 19th century, and ‘View of Read Bridge at Clarke Quay’, a work by pioneer water-colourist Lim Cheng Hoe featuring the iconic Singapore River. Other notable historical works include ‘View of Raffles Place’ and ‘View from Government Hill’ – depicting Singapore in its early days – and ‘Bird on Fence’. 

Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive Officer, NHB, said: “Our National Collection tells the story of Singapore’s past and present, for our future. As the custodian of Singapore’s heritage, NHB aims to raise a greater awareness of, and deepen appreciation for, these national treasures. Our collaboration with Samsung introduces a new and additional touchpoint for Singaporeans to enjoy the National Collection through its Frame TVs. It is akin to having these beautiful masterpieces digitally displayed in our homes, which will hopefully inspire more to visit our museums to see them in real life.” 

Dennis Jang, President, Samsung Singapore said: “We believe that art should not only inspire, but also inform and educate. With the introduction of the National Collection in the Art Store, our users will be able to appreciate art, and learn more about the history of Singapore. Such collaboration truly shows how technology can bring art and history to more individuals, and the significant role our Art Store plays to bring such monumental pieces to the homes of future generations.”

Samsung and NHB are planning to explore the expansion of the collection in the Art Store, they plan to create awareness of other artworks in the National Collection.

Samsung Unbox & Discover 2024 – A New Era of AI TVs

At Samsung Unbox & Discover 2024 – A New Era of AI TVs launch event held at the iconic Jewel Changi from 28 to 30 March 2024 whereby Samsung Electronics unveiled 2024 line-up of new AI TVs and sound systems. Not only were consumers got to view and know more about Samsung’s 2024 new AI TVs, they also got to view and know more about the Samsung and NHB partnership to bring Singapore’s Cultural Heritage to Samsung The Frame TV. 

More information on Samsung’s new 2024 AI TVs and sound systems can be found on my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog article: Samsung Electronics unveiled 2024 line-up of new AI TVs and sound systems. 

Bespoke Lifestyle Products that elevate every lifestyle

In year 2024, The Frame TV’s new Art Stream feature gives users a taste of the Art Store’s diverse collection by providing them with 20 free hand-selected artworks each month. The Art Mode also features enhancements, including Pantone Validated certification where colour accuracy is ensured with artworks displayed. In addition, users can be ensured of lower energy usage with Art Mode as the picture frequency in 2024 Frame TV is reduced from 120Hz to 60Hz when the mode is active, resulting in 10% energy savings (1). 

New Music Frame

The new Music Frame, is an audio solution that complements The Frame, they can seamlessly blends into the environment as a modern picture frame, allowing users to customisation options with their favourite photos, while also serving as a sound device. When paired with Samsung 2024 TVs, the Music Frame users can play sound from both the TV and sound device – a unique feature called Q-Symphony. As a standalone speaker, the Music Frame pairs via Bluetooth with other devices such as a mobile phone.

In a collaboration with Disney, the Frame TV and Music Frame will have 4 special Disney-themed designs for the Frame bezel and Music Frame panel. This limited-edition bundle is available for purchase at the Samsung Online Store, Samsung Shop App, and major consumer electronics retailers. 

For more information on Samsung Samsung’s new 2024 AI TVs and sound systems

For more information on Samsung Samsung’s new 2024 AI TVs and sound systems, pricing and availability, please visit Samsung website https://www.samsung.com/sg/ 

Notes:

(1) This feature applies to the 55’’ display and above  

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MHC Hari Raya Open House AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 Theme: Food

The theme for MHC Hari Raya Open House 2024 is food. This year’s programmes will serve up a buffet of programmes, activities and displays showcasing the culinary traditions and intangible cultural heritage practices related to Hari Raya. The AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 programme highlights include a cooking demonstration with MasterChef Singapore finalist Chef IIya Fadhly, Teh Tarik making workshop by Tarik.SG, and a larger-than-life food replicas of iconic Hari Raya dishes such as mutton biryani, sayer lodeh, and assorted kueh. 

There are also other exciting programmes at this special edition MHC Hari Raya Open House which will explore the influences and commonalities between Malay and Indian culture, such as 

• Taste of Heritage: Nasi Tomato, Ayam Bakar and Begedil & Soto Pani Puri with Chef Ilya
• Threads of Unity: Unravelling Shared Textile Traditions Between India and the Nusantara,

On top of all this, there will also be upbeat dance and musical performances, such as the medley of nostalgic Raya songs performed with traditional instruments, spreading the festive cheer of Hari Raya.

AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 Highlights

Ruang AidilFEASTri

• Date: 19 – 28 April
• Time: 10am – 6pm
• Venue: Lobby, IHC
• Admission is free

Delectable Designs: Henna Art & Fuse Beads Keychain Making with Hennaflair and Senikraf

• Date: 27 & 28 April
• Time: 10am – 6pm
• Venue: Lobby, IHC
• Admission is free

AidilFEASTri Munch & Crunch Corner

• Date: 27 & 28 April
• Time: 11am – 5pm
• Venue: Lobby, IHC
• Admission is free

Cultural Rhythms: Rentak x Raya with SMU Rentak

• Date: 27 April
• Time: 10.30am – 11am
• Venue: Street Stage, IHC
• Admission is free

Cultural Rhythms: An Afternoon of Dance with Alif-Alliance, ASWARA, Mayoora Dance Group and Permata Seni Budaya

• Date: 27 April
• Time: 4.30pm – 5.15pm
• Venue: Street Stage, IHC
• Admission is free

Don’t Spill the Teh: A Teh Tarik-making Workshop with Tarik.SG

• Date: 27 April
• Time: 11am – 12.30pm
• Venue: Activity Room, IHC
• Admission: $15

Tales from the Nusantara : My Mother’s Kitchen with Shahril Samri from Pantunism

• Time: 11am – 12.30pm
• Venue: Level 3, Permanent Gallery, IHC
• Admission: $16 (parent-child pair), $8 (additional child)

Threads of Unity: Unravelling Shared Textile Traditions Between India and the Nusantara with Hafiz Rashid, aNERDgallery and Wild Dot

• Date: 27 & 28 April
• Time: 3pm – 5pm
• Venue: Permanent Galleries & Seminar Room, IHC (Meet at Lobby)
• Admission: $20

Discovering The Blue Mosque of Singapore: Heritage Tour of Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Mosque

• Date: 27 April
• Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
• Venue: Offsite
• Admission: $5 (refundable deposit)

Joget & Jamu with Nur Raihan and Dana Safia

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 10am – 11.30am
• Venue: Street Stage, IHC
• Admission: $10

Kuih-licious Creations: A Miniature Kuih Raya Workshop with Sherry’s Minis

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 11am – 2pm
• Venue: Activity Room, IHC
• Admission: $25

Cultural Rhythms: Joyful Melodies with Sheer-Nas & Friends

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 12pm – 12.45pm
• Venue: Street Stage, IHC
• Admission is free

Cultural Rhythms: Gema Ghazal with Orkes Melayu Mutiara

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 4.30pm – 5.15pm
• Venue: Street Stage, IHC
• Admission is free

Taste of Heritage: Nasi Tomato, Ayam Bakar and Begedil & Soto Pani Puri with Chef Ilya Nur Fadhly

• Date: 28 April
• Time: 5pm – 6pm
• Venue: Activity Room, IHC
• Admission: $10

Visit https://malayheritagecentre.peatix.com to register for the above AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 programmes on a first-come-first-served basis.

Mark it down on your calendar, spread the word, and Pass-It-On, celebrate a special edition of MHC Hari Raya Open House, at the AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 from 27th to 28th April 2024 at IHC.

Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) Special Edition Open House –  AidilFEASTri Festival 2024 

• Dates: 27 to 28 April 2024
• Location: Indian Heritage Centre (IHC)
• Website: www.malayheritage.gov.sg 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malayheritage 
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/malayheritage 

Hari Ray related content on NHB heritage portal roots.gov.sg 

• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Hari Raya Puasa – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/hari-raya-puasa)
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Weaving Ketupat – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/weaving-ketupat)
• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Making and Wearing of Baju Kurung – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/making-and-wearing-of-baju-kurung)
• Stories: Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/stories-landing/stories/Hawker-Centres/Geylang-Serai-Market-Food-Centre)
• Collection: A stamp celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-Landing/listing/1002233)
• Collection: Brass ‘roti jala’ mould presser – (https://www.roots.gov.sg/Collection-Landing/listing/1072285)

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HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat: Festival Race

Starting from Haig Road Market and Food Centre, race participants will embark on a journey exploring through Katong-Joo Chiat. Along the way, you have to unravel hidden clues and complete challenges that will uncover the Katong-Joo Chiat neighbourhood’s rich heritage, history and culture. Guiding you through every step of the way are the friendly virtual mascots: Void Deck Cat and Hannie the HAN sparrow.

The first 5 teams to cross the finishing line will win vouchers and cash prizes (1) kindly sponsored by HiddenSG, i12 Katong, The Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore and Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore!

Can I still go on HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat game after the festival race?

If you are unable to join during the festival race period, the HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat game will still be available after the festival race for those who are interested to play at your own pace. Tickets are priced at S$9.90 and this includes a surprise F&B item along the way!

What is the HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat all about?

The HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat is one of the programme highlights of NHB’s Heritage Activation Nodes: Katong Joo Chiat (HAN@K-JC) launch festival held from 20th to 21st April 2024.

Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of activities organised in collaboration with over 20 community partners and heritage businesses in the area, at various locations around the Katong-Joo Chiat neighbourhood. 

For more information on HAN@K-JC and HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat, please visit https://go.gov.sg/nhb-han 

A preview of HiddenSG Race @ Katong-Joo Chiat 

I went for a media preview for this HiddenSG Race @ Katong-Joo Chiat, it was a fun and interactive amazing race, Singapore Heritage edition. This unique heritage race is interactive, the questions have its own unique style of making us unravel the clues and completing the challenges. 

For myself who has been photographing and documenting in the heritage sector, this amazing race style game is refreshing for me in how we can approach, embrace and reach out Singapore’s history, heritage, and culture through technology and new media, to a wider community from the young to the seniors, attracting and getting more people to discover and know more about Singapore’s history, heritage and culture.

Although I don’t live in the East side of Singapore, the recent NHB Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat launch, and recent photography assignment location in Katong-Joo Chiat, brought me to Katong-Joo Chiat district for the fourth time in two months. 

Here are some tips that I would like to share with you when you embark on this interactive HiddenSG Race @ Katong-Joo Chiat:

• Wear comfortable attire and shoes, you are going to walk and walk!
• Observe the rich heritage and culture in the Katong-Joo Chiat neighbourhood
• Take the chance to learn about the rich heritage, history and culture of Katong-Joo Chiat district
• Bring your water bottle! Remember to hydrate!
• Remember to bring your umbrella or poncho, you never know when it might rain!
• Be safe, watch out for traffic and people when crossing the roads/walking
• Last but not least, enjoy and have lots of fun with your group of family and/or friends!

Information on HiddenSG Race @ Katong-Joo Chiat

• Date: 20th April 2024
• Meeting Point: Haig Road Market and Food Centre
• Timing: 1pm
• Price: S$10*
• Register here: https://go.gov.sg/nhb-han 

Notes:

• Covers up to 5 participants. You can play individually or in a group of up to 5 people for the same price. Please bring a phone with internet access and WhatsApp, wet weather protection, and a water bottle. 
• (1) 1st Prize: $300 KLIK vouchers (i12 Katong app voucher) & cash prize of S$500; 2nd and 3rd Prizes: $250 cash prize each; 4th and 5th Prizes: $100 cash prize each.

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Changi Heritage Trail

The Changi Heritage Trail by NHB features 23 heritage sites and six heritage trail markers, they will tell you the stories of Changi through the memories of its community, tracing its evolution across different eras, and shed light on Changi’s cultural, social, economic and military heritage over the centuries. Visitors on the Changi Heritage Trail will get to explore iconic landmarks and discover the diverse narratives of Changi, from the hardships endured by prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation to the vibrant mix of cultures of the kampongs and communities in the Changi area. 

Mr Alvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy & Community), NHB, said: “Through our heritage trails, NHB hopes not only to showcase the unique history of neighbourhoods, but to also leverage our trails to bring heritage closer to the community; facilitate community participation through the contribution of stories and photographs; enhance place identity; and in this case, encourage Singaporeans to explore Changi and rediscover its unique charms.”

Coastal lifestyle

Changi’s coastal area, fishing and other maritime activities shaped the economy, society and cultures of the kampongs in Changi. For the communities of Kampongs Ayer Germuroh, Mata Ikan and Beting Kusah, fishing was their livelihood, as were kerkarang (coastal foraging) and the making of kaput (lime-based whitewash). All these activities required deep knowledge of the seascape, weather patterns and monsoon winds, that were passed down through generations and they formed the foundations of many aspects of community life. The fishermen of Changi coast generally head out to sea after dusk, returning in the mornings, bringing the villages to life. 

Sun, sand and sea of Changi – Singapore’s Lido

During Singapore’s colonial era, the sun, sand and sea of Changi transformed into Singapore’s Lido. The Lido di Venezia in Italy is known for its fresh air and forested environment. Changi was a popular leisure destination for its quiet and clam beaches, cool sea breeze, and this was also the point for those who wished to sail to nearby islands or favoured fishing locations. 

Changi developed into a resort feel for the colonial society, this was highlighted by European visitors, as recorded in a diary entry from 1860 that detailed a visit to Changi: “Changhee is a sort of Singapore Brighton – a place where everyone goes for a picnic. It only consists of a few small fishermen’s huts, a government traveller’s bungalow, and another bungalow a little higher up belong to a Joint Hock Company.” 

A wooden bungalow known as Change Hut was constructed, this made Changi a popular location for the colonial society for their holidays due to its picturesque surroundings. With this popularity, more bungalows were constructed in the area, with private investors renting them out as resorts, further cementing Changi’s reputation as a leisure spot as Singapore’s Lido.

Changi’s military history and heritage 

After the 1920s, Changi went through significant transformation to become a strategic military and penal hub. Sembawang, located in the northern part of Singapore was confirmed as the location for United Kingdom’s (UK) new naval base back then, they needed another site for a cantonment (military quarters) and artillery emplacements to house troops and guns that would protect the naval base. 

Given the strategic location of Changi overlooking and commanding the eastern approach to the Johor Strait, as well as its distance from the city and major residential areas. Changi was chosen and a natural choice to play her role in the defence of Singapore. 

The Gillman Commission was established in 1927 to plan and develop the Changi Cantonment. Thereafter, the UK War Office began acquiring land in Changi and transforming the landscape to make way for concrete gun emplacements, airfields, hangars, barracks blocks and other facilities. 

Changi Prison came after the development of Changi Cantonment. They were built in response to overcrowded conditions at Pearl’s Hill Prison and Outram Prison in the early 1930s. Changi Prison would eventually house Western civilians and prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation.

Hearing heartfelt stories of Changi’s history, heritage, culture and living

During the media tour of Changi Heritage Trail, we met people that were associated with Changi’s history, heritage, culture and living, hearing the heartfelt and wonderful stories of Changi.

At Sree Ramar Temple, Mr Thalapathi K.V, a temple volunteer, he shared quite a lot of interesting stories about his memories of Changi. The points that he shared with us that enlightened me were Sree Ramar Temple was facing East, there were two water elements in front of the temple down the road, Sungai Changi, followed by the sea/coastal area (Changi Beach Park) after the river. He also spoke about the connections and significance of the statues of Buddha and Guan Yin in the temple, about the communities in Changi, his childhood days playing around the neighbourhood, the multi-cultural communities and the kampong spirit. 

At Changi Sailing Club/Changi Boardwalk, overlooking the coast and sea, Mdm Isiah Majid, a former resident of Kampong Ayer Gemuroh also shared a lot about her childhood memories of Changi, “[The atmosphere at the beach was] just like a fish market, with people [gathering around each] boat to buy their fish. It’s a joyful moment, with children swimming and [playing] in the sea… while the adults are bargaining for their fish.”

If you are travelling to Changi Airport by car or bus on the road or your plane is landing at or departing from Changi Airport, you can’t miss the iconic Changi Airport Control Tower. At Changi Airport Terminal 1, we heard Mr Joshua Woo sharing priceless photos and memories of his late father, a former contractor that was involved in the building of the Changi Airport Control Tower.

Beyond the history, heritage, culture and tangible aspects of cultural heritage, these are great examples of our intangible cultural heritage, the life experiences, oral history and memories of Singapore.

My personal nostalgia memories of Changi 

When NHB launched its newest heritage trail, the Changi Heritage Trail, I was excited to retrace back my nostalgia memories, starting from my teenage days of visiting Changi Village, starting off with a long bus ride on bus service no.2 from Chinatown to Changi Village, followed by taking a bumboat across to Pulau Ubin for camping and hiking when I was a Boy Scout. I remembered going for hikes with our map and compass (no smartphones and maps app in our era) and one of the hikes led us to Changi. 

Thereafter, serving my full-time National Service, starting off at as a recruit at Pulau Tekong and we recruits during my time had to board a slow boat (if you know, you know) from a jetty in Changi to Pulau Tekong (not like today when they can take a ferry), I can’t forget watching the night sky from the slow boat and thinking when can I get back to mainland Singapore again. 

Continuing on into my adult years, even though going to Changi can be a quite a bit of travel for me staying at the western part of Singapore, I do enjoy heading to Changi once a while, on a road trip along the former Changi Coast Road, watching the planes landing at Changi Beach (and doing aviation photography), taking sunset photographs (a great spot for taking beautiful sunsets in Singapore) at Changi Boardwalk or Changi Beach Park. Not to forget wildlife and travel photography around the Changi Village area. 

You don’t have to worry about food and drinks at Changi Village, from the hawker centre, cafes and restaurants, there are different food and beverage options for you to choose from, to relax and enjoy and have a good time there. Before the days of cafes and restaurants coming to Changi Village, it’s the hawker centre for us, the nasi lemak is one of my favourite!

That part of Changi has a rustic and slower pace of life packed with rich history, heritage, culture and food, that you might not envision in a hectic and fast paced modern cosmopolitan Singapore. The growth, development and transformation of Changi, from coastal living and fishing, into a leisure destination, later into a strategic military district, and today a world famous international airport sits in the Changi district. 

Why not experience Changi for yourself, learning and experiencing its early days, coastal life transforming into the modern Changi international air hub of today. See and experience how Changi still retains its rustic charm, history, heritage, culture and natural surroundings. Come explore Changi on National Heritage Board’s newest heritage trail – Changi Heritage Trail.

How can I embark on the Changi Heritage Trail and explore Changi?

Changi Heritage Trail features three thematic routes:

Bungalows and Beaches in Changi (1 hour with public transport) – 4km

This route will bring you to explore the bungalows, sailing and beach clubs, and chalets in Changi. 

War and Peace in Changi (1.5 hours with public transport) – 7.6km

For those into history and heritage, this route brings you to explore the history of different military buildings in Changi with this route, including Changi Prison, Changi Chapel and Museum, and the former Changi Cantonment.

Gateways and Communities in Changi (2 hours with public transport) – 12km

On this route, you can find more about the communities of Changi and the places in which they lived, worked and played.

For more information on Changi Heritage Trail

For more information on Changi Heritage Trail, please visit https://go.gov.sg/roots-changi-heritage-trail, you can download the Changi Heritage Trail’s companion guide and map, time to start exploring! This map will also be made available in all four languages from June 2024. Limited copies of the companion guide will also be available at Siglap Community Club, Changi Chapel and Museum, and Asian Civilisations Museum. 

The post Explore Changi on National Heritage Board’s newest heritage trail appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

What are the exciting programmes and activities taking place at SYSNMH during Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024? Let me share more information below:

Prosperity All Year LONG (Supported by local toy designer and artist Ziqi)

• Date: 16 January – 25 February 2024
• Time: 10am – 7pm daily (Last admission at 6:50pm)
• Admission: Free

One of the widely practised and cherished customs by the Chinese community worldwide associated with Chinese Lunar New Year is putting up bright and colourful festive decorations at home and at the workplace to usher in the Lunar New Year. At SYSNMH, they are honouring this cherished tradition by decorating its building and compound with auspicious decorations and plants, as well as its annual lawn installation. When you visit SYSNMH, you can’t miss the big, cute, adorable and colourful Mononoke Dinos! 

Titled “Prosperity All Year LONG”, this year’s lawn installation is a collaboration between SYSNMH and local toy designer and artist Ziqi. This features the designer’s popular character, Dino, reimagined and redesigned in a collaboration with Japanese artist Yasu (EBINEKOYA).

The Monooke Dinos are dressed in auspicious colours, red and orange! They are a modern interpretation of the mythical dragon, and as with dragons, they symbolise success, strength, nobility, abundance and good luck! Moreover, the presence of twin dragons represents a “doubling” of opportunities and good fortune in the year ahead.

Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration 2024 at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 falls on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February. Come on down to SYSNMH and enjoy Lunar New Year Celebration festivities! 

Auspicious Lion & Dragon Dance Performance

• Date: 10 February 2024
• Time: 10am – 11am
• Admission: Free

God of Fortune Visit

• Date: 10 February 2024
• Time: 10am – 12am
• Admission: Free

Lunar New Year Admission

• Date: 10  & 11 February 2024
• Time: 10am – 5pm (Last admission at 4:30pm)
• Admission: Free

Wan Qing Festival of Spring Open House

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024
• Time: 10am – 7pm
• Venue: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
• Admission: Free admission with some ticketed activities 

Workshops

Dragon’s Beard Candy Making Workshop 

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 11.30am
• Admission: $12 per pax

Parent-Child Mythical Creatures Bag Making Workshop (Supported by A2+rt Studio) 

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 1pm – 2.30pm 
• Admission: $24 per parent-child pair 

Dragon Lantern Making Workshop (Supported by traditional craftsman, Jimm Wong)

• Date: 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10am – 12.30pm 
• Admission: $18 per pax 

Children Lion Dance Workshop (Supported by Martial House)

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm 
• Admission: $12 per pax 

Children Festive Chinese Drums Workshop (Supported by Martial House)

• Date: 18 February 2024 
• Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm, 4.30pm – 5.30pm 
• Admission: $12 per pax 

Purchase tickets for the above workshops via https://wanqingyuan.peatix.com 

Free Activities 

Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Lunar New Year Festival (Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign) 

• Date: 17 February 2024 (Mandarin), 18 February 2024 (English) 
• Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 3pm 
• Admission: Free 

Drop-in Craft Station: Lunar New Year Festival Inspired Crafts (Supported by River Valley High School) 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Drop-in Craft Station: Chinese Calligraphy Try-Out 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Drop-in Activity Station: CNY Mini Games 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Live on the Lawn: Hakka Qilin Dance by Yan Wong Cultural Troupe Singapore 

• Date: 18 February 2024 
• Time: 1.45pm – 2pm 
• Admission: Free 

Live on the Lawn: Lunar New Year Family Fun Contest 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Live on the Lawn: SCO goes to Wan Qing Yuan (In collaboration with Singapore Chinese Orchestra) 

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Live on the Lawn: Chinese Wind & Percussion Music by Reverberance (Supported by Reverberance) 

• Date: 18 February 2024 
• Time: 5.30pm – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free 

Festive Snacks, Mandarin Oranges & Tea Tasting 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm 
• Admission: Free, limited quantities available. 

Let’s Celebrate with Uncle Ting: Lunar New Year Activity Kit 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 10am – 7pm 

Guided Tours & Trails

Touring Temples: In Search of Dragons and other Mythical Creatures 

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 10am – 1pm 
• Admission: $20 per pax

Balestier Heritage Food Trail 

• Date: 17 February 2024 
• Time: 10.30am – 11.30am 
• Admission: $12 per pax 

Permanent Galleries Guided Tour 

• Date: 17 & 18 February 2024 
• Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Mandarin), 3pm – 4pm (English)
• Admission: Free; limited spaces available. 

Purchase tickets for the above workshops via https://wanqingyuan.peatix.com

Festive Giveaway 

Lunar New Year Hongbao Giveaway (Supported by National Heritage Board)

• Date: From 12 January 2024 onwards
• Time: 10am – 5pm (closed on Mondays)

If you are keen to get hold of the limited edition SYSNMH hongbao for free, simply visit the Memorial Hall, follow the SYSNMH Facebook or Instagram page, and verify at the visitor services counter from 12 January 2024 onwards. Limited to the first 50 visitors per day (1 pack per person) and available whilst stocks last! 

Visit https://go.gov.sg/MRHongbao2024 for more information about the MR Lunar New Year Hongbao campaign 2024. 

For more information and updates about Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024, please visit SYSNMH’s website (https://www.sysnmh.org.sg/en) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sysnmh) throughout the festival period.

Wishing all a Happy Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 in advance! May the Year of the Dragon 2024 be a year of great health, wealth and prosperity for you and your family! 

The post Celebrate Year of Dragon at Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I want to collect the NHB Museum Roundtable Hongbao, how should I go about doing it?

From 12th January to 9th February 2024, visitors can collect a set of exclusive red packets at any of the 43 participating museums, heritage institutions, and galleries. Each visitor is entitled to one set of high red packets from any of the venues, while stocks last.

The Char Yong (Dabu) Association Heritage Hall, a new member of the Museum Roundtable (MR) will also be participating in the campaign for the first time. Four other MR members will also be returning this year, the Republic of Singapore Air Force Museum, the Singapore Navy Museum, the Singapore Maritime Gallery, and the Singapore  Sports Museum. 

Limited Edition Collector’s Box Set

There is a popular limited edition Collector’s Box Set! It’s back again! It comes as a large gift box with its own custom-designed bag. Each box contains 2 complete sets of the 43 red packet designs presenting the participating MR members, as well as en exclusive design from the National Heritage Board, making a total of 88 (Huat ah!) pieces of hongbaos! The red packet designs in the box set also have a distinct orange background and feature dragons with subtle colour differences.

The Collector’s Box Sets are priced at $108 (nett) and will be available for purchase only at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Interested collectors can

1.  pre-register to purchase at a specified time slot on 20th and 21st January 2024, which is encouraged, or
2. walk-in to purchase on a first-come, first-served basis on 27th January 2024. Pre-registration opens on 10th January 2024, 10.00am, at mrhongbao.eventbrite.com.

There will be 450 Collector’s Box Sets available for sale, with the majority reserved for pre-registered sales on 20th and 21st January 2024, and the remainder for walk-in purchases on 27th January 2024. Regardless of the mode of purchase, each member of the public is limited to the purchase of one box set per NRIC number, on a first-come, first-served basis.

I Love Museums’ Facebook Page Giveaways

There are two online giveaways that will be held on the “I Love Museums” Facebook Page (https://www.facebook/com/ILoveMuseums), offering members of the public an opportunity to win the Collector’s Box Set or a set of the red packets.

First giveaway (Between 12th and 22nd January 2024)

The first giveaway will be held between 12th and 22nd January 2024, and will require participants to visit participating venues and take a photograph of themselves with the red packets they collected at the museum. Participants are required to share these photographs in the comments section of the giveaway post and leave a comment on which exhibit/artefact they found interesting during their visit. A total of 10 winners will be selected at random the receive  the Collector’s Box Set.

Second giveaway (Between 30th January and 6th February 2024)

The second giveaway will held between 30th January and 6th February 2024, and requires participants to leave a comment on the “I Love Museums” Facebook Page on their favourite aspect of this year’s Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign. There will be 50 winners selected at random to receive a full set of all 43 Museum Roundtable red packets.

Check out the passion and support of hongbao collectors!

At the recent NHB media announcement for the Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2024, we met passionate hongbao collectors with their hongabo collections, their stories behind their  loyal support for NHB Museum Roundtable Hongbao.

Ms Yap Siew Luan, a red packet collector from Johor Bahru, Malaysia said: “I have been collecting red packets since 2003 and have participated in the Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign since 2015. I first learned about the campaign through friends and have been very fortunate to have also developed long-lasting friendships with other collectors throughout the years. 2024 is also a special year as it is my Zodiac year. While it is a challenge to collect all the different red packets from the various participating museums, I typically aim to collect as many red packets as I can during my short visits to Singapore on weekends.” 

Who’s behind the cute Dragon design for Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2024?

You saw the cute and unique Dragon designs on the hongbaos for this MR Hongbao Campaign 2024. Who’s the artist/designer behind this? 

Meet Carlos Puentes, 36 year-old designer from Barranquilla, Colombia who has designed and illustrated for many national and international brands and clients, the designer for Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2024. He said: “Through working on this campaign, I have learnt much more about Singapore’s museum sector and am impressed with its diversity!” (His Instagram account is @cpuentesdesign).

Mr Goh Chour Thong, Director (International and Museum Relations), NHB, said: “NHB has truly enjoyed 10 years of partnering with Museum Roundtable members for the Hongbao Campaign, and working with them to adapt the design of the Chinese zodiac animal for the year to reflect each of their unique characteristics. We are very encouraged that the hongbaos as well as the limited collectors’ editions have continued to be popular with the public and sought after by collectors, and helped grow visitorship and appreciation of the offerings at each of the participating Museum Roundtable members. We certainly hope this year’s hongbaos featuring the cute and versatile dragons designed by Colombian artist Carlos Puentes will be no different!”

For more information on the Museum Roundtable Hongbao Campaign 2024, you can visit the following link: go.gov.sg/MRHongbao2024. 

The post Usher Year of the Dragon 2024 with Cute and Hot Hongbao Designs from Museum Roundtable! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023

SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023 is taking place on the weekend of 23rd and 24th September 2023 from 10am to 6:30pm. There are many exciting programmes and activities line-up for you and family to visit, soak in and enjoy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 at Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023!

General Manager of SYSNMH Winston Lim said: “For our well-loved lantern installations, we tap on relatable themes such as this year’s larger-than-life pandas, to appeal to a wide audience and encourage more people to join in our cultural festivities. Through our ongoing special exhibition Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations, we have been working very closely with various clan associations, and are excited to continue to bring onboard more cultural partners to enrich our celebrations. Together, we hope to enliven our offerings for more visitors to learn about Chinese culture.”

An iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn Paw-trait 

You can’t miss them when you visit SYSNMH! They are an iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn Paw-trait! This year’s special installation is titled, “A Mid-Autumn Paw-trait”, featuring two big and adorable giant panda lanterns. Just like a typical giant panda, one is sitting down in a relaxed position, while the other is in a stretching stance at SYSNMH lawn from 29th August to 1st October 2023, 10am to 9pm daily.

This is a collaboration made “paw-sible” through a collaboration with toymaker 52TOYS Panda Roll series and World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore). The Mid-Autumn Paw-trait is SYSNM 9th outdoor installation, they convey SYSNMH wish for every Singaporean to enjoy a “panda-stic” Mid-Autumn reunion. 

More importantly, this iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn lanterns serve as an acknowledgement of past and ongoing wildlife conservation efforts, and also celebrating the reclassification of giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable statues by the IUCN Red List.

Workshops

There is a host of exciting and fun workshops for you and your family to join. Check out the listings below!

Parent-Child Recycled Panda Lantern Making Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 12pm
• Admission: $24 per parent-child pair

Melodies in Motion: Hokkien Songs & Rhymes Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 1pm to 2:30pm
• Admission: $10 per pax.

Tales in Melodies: Teochew Songs & Rhymes Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 3:30pm to 5pm
• Admission: $10 per pax

Parent-Child Hakka Abacus Seeds Making Workshop

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 3:30pm to 5pm
• Admission: $38 per parent-child pair

Escape Game Activity

• Lost in Time: The Case of the Missing Researcher
• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 11:30am to 1pm, 1pm to 2:30pm (Sunday only), 2:30pm to 4pm, 4pm to 5:30pm
• Admission: $8 per pax, group of 4-5 recommended

Check out my story that I published earlier on my Escape Game adventure at SYSNMH! 

Free Activities

Public Talk – Singapore’s Secret Societies in the 19th century and its Evolution

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 11:30am
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis)

Storytelling sessions: Tales of Mid-Autumn Festival 

• Date: 23rd September 2023 (Mandarin), 24th September 2023 (English)
• Time: 11:30am to 12:30pm, 2pm – 3pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Craft Station: Mid-Autumn Festival Inspired Crafts

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Craft Station: Chinese Calligraphy Try-Out

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Activity Station: Language Game Fun

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Mid-Autumn Family Fun Contest

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 3pm to 4pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Dialect Culture Performances I

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 5pm to 6pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Dialect Culture Performances II

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 6pm to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Lantern Riddles Guessing

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 5pm to 6pm
• Admission: Free

Mooncake, Pomelo & Tea Tasting

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free (limited quantities available)

Teochew Mooncake Sampling 

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free (limited quantities available)

52TOYS Blind Box Sale Booth

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore Booth

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Children Activity Booklets Giveaway

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 9pm

Guided Tours & Trails

Teochew Cultural Trail

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 1pm
• Admission: $20 per pax.

Balestier Heritage Food Trail

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 11:30am (English), 11:30am to 12:30pm (Mandarin)
• Admission: $12 per pax

Special Exhibition Guided Tour

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 11:30am (Mandarin), 1:30pm to 2:30pm (English)
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available)

Permanent Galleries Guided Tour

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm (Mandarin), 3pm to 4pm (English)
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available)

<For the above ticketed activities, you can purchase tickets via www.wanqingyuan.peatix.com>

SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH)

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free admission with ticketed activities 

Follow SYSNMH on social media

• Website: https://www.sysnmh.org.sg 
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sysnmh/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sysnmh/ 

Wishing all a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023! 祝大家中秋节快乐！

Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 is coming soon on 29th September 2023. Let me wish everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 in advance! Hope you all have a panda-stic” Mid-Autumn festival and reunion with your family and loved ones!

祝大家中秋节快乐！

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production * 

The post Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Festival Director David Chew said, “We look forward to transforming the BBB precinct into a celebration of Singapore’s history as an international port city, through vivid experiences, memorable performances and immersive activities rooted in the rich stories of trade and exchange at BBB, but also celebrating the home it is to the communities and their respective historical sites of worship in the precinct today. Many may not be aware that BBB has been featured quite prominently through Singapore’s 700 years as a port city, and we hope to pay homage to the vital role it played through SNF’s programmes, while encouraging everyone to explore the iconic cultural institutions and museums across the precinct. In the spirit of exchange, this is the first time that we will be having a presenting sponsor and we are excited to have Samsung onboard, alongside our many festival partners and stakeholders, who will be further enlivening the festival with their invaluable contributions.”

Highlight Act: Time is a Black Circle by Dawn Ng

SNF 2023 highlight act is “Time is a Black Circle” by local artist Dawn Ng. If you are from the older generation, roller skating would be part of your growing up life and leisure activities! Relive the nostalgic good old live disco scene of the BBB precinct, groove, jive and skate back to the good old days! 

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/92020 

Presenting Sponsor: Samsung

Samsung is the Presenting Sponsor for SNF 2023, they will be activating experiences to showcase stories on the evolution of culture and innovation, with a light projection mapping on the facade of the National Museum of Singapore at the centre of this SNF 2023 x Samsung partnership. 

Ronnie Ng, Head of Mobile Experience, Samsung Electronics Singapore, said, “As Presenting Sponsor for this year’s SNF, we are delighted to deliver an iconic experience for visitors and Galaxy fans. Just like how Singapore has evolved to become a global port city where communities meet, collaborate and innovate, Samsung is a global brand that has continuously innovated to deliver new technologies that bring people together. Our foldables are one example of how we’ve flipped the narrative on mobile technologies, enabling consumers to use their smartphones flexibly which complements their lifestyle. With that in mind, we are excited to showcase the limitless possibilities of our devices that will enable users to create moments of connections that journals the rich stories told during the festival, and even beyond.”

Do not miss out on the SNF 2023 x Samsung partnership, the key highlights are as follows:  

SNF 2023 x Samsung Key Highlights

Samsung fans, as well as those exploring the world of Samsung, head down to the Main Festival Village @ SMU Campus Green. Visit Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green for a flipping great time with its Galaxy Studio pop-up to SMU Green. Enter into the Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green, check out Samsung latest Galaxy Z Flip5 and its amazing FlexCam! Remember to take a selfie with the Galaxy Z Flip5!

Do also check out the new Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Tab S9 Series and Galaxy Watch6 Series! If you are looking for SNF 2023 exclusives, you can discover them at Galaxy Studio @ SMU Green! Check out the unique CASETiFY covers designed by participating artists and other local brand collars inside there!

First, let me take a selfie! 

For those who love taking selfies, you have to do this! Take a pic with the Galaxy Z Flip5 made available at the 4 locations and stand a chance to win amazing prizes!

1. A Stone’s Throw (Away) at National Museum of Singapore, Banyan Tree
2. Rimbun at Farquhar Garden, Canning Rise
3. Preserving Paradise at Armenian Street, beside the Bible House 
4. “Flowing Water Road” Shrine at Raffles City

Post the photo on Instagram, tag @samsungsg and @sgnightfest with #JoinTheFlipSide, #withGalaxy and #SGNightFest!

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/sg/event/jointheflipside 

Light Projection Mappings at SNF 2023

One of the favourites at SNF 2023, light project mappings on the facades of our buildings have always been an iconic feature. For the light projection mappings at SNF 2023, head down to the National Museum of Singapore and CHIJMES!

National Museum of Singapore

700 Years – Presented by Samsung 

CHIJMES

Birth in Bloom 

Evolution of Bras Basah Entertainment Scene

Port(al) City

Night Lights at SNF 2023

The collection of Night Lights artworks at SNF is another key highlight of SNF. Remember to take the SNF 2023 event brochure/map when you are walking around the Bras Basah Bugis precinct exploring Night Lights at SNF 2023. I would leave it to you, come on down, explore, learn about the artist and their artworks, and interact with the Night Lights artworks where possible!

#SGNIGHTFEST 

GIFFFEST III: IMPERFECT COMPILATION

A Stone’s Throw (Away)

“Flowing Water Road” Shrine

Preserving Paradise 

Rimbun

SeaScape Symphony 

GIFFEST III: IMPERFECT

X O X (two kisses and a hug)

A Global Bugis Phinisi

Florescence 

The Island at the End

Roving Performances

There would be roving performances too! Keep a lookout for “We’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather until we cannot” by Sweet Tooth!

Dates:

• 18th & 19th August
• 25th & 26th August

Time:

• 7:30pm to 7:50pm
• 8:30pm to 8:50pm
• 9:30pm to 9:50pm

SNF 2023 Information

Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2023 is taking place at Bras Basah Bugis Precinct from 18th to 26th August 2023. Entry to the festival is free, some programmes are ticketed. 

For more information and updates on SNF 2023, web app, or to book tickets please visit https://www.nightfestival.gov.sg/

Follow #sgnightfest on social media

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sgnightfest 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgnightfest/ 
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sg.nightfest 

Do follow Bras Basah Bugis too!

• Website https://www.nhb.gov.sg/brasbasahbugis/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brasbasahbugis/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brasbasahbugis/ 

More photographs from my Singapore Night Festival 2023 can be viewed inside this album on Flickr!

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production *

The post Singapore Night Festival 2023 (18 to 26 August) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail is National Heritage Board (NHB)’s 11th heritage trail that was first launched in 2014. The refreshed edition will expound on the history of Singapore’s “model town”, telling more stories of Toa Payoh’s significant landmarks and locations. Toa Payoh transformed from a swampland, growing into a modern and role model residential housing estate  for Singapore, as well as home to iconic religious and community institutions. 

Refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail 

The refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail covers 29 heritage sites and features 10 heritage markers. There are two new marked sites namely Block 53 a.k.a. “VIP Block”, and the Iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground.

Those two sites join existing marked marked sites such as 

• Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery, a National Monument and the oldest Buddhist monastery in Singapore
• Masjid Muhajirin, the first mosque in Singapore to have been built with the support of contributions from the Mosque Building Fund (known as the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) today) alongside community fundraising
• Toa Payoh Town Park, home to a 25m tall look out tower which was accorded conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2009
• Four point HDB blocks which housed international athletes as part of the Former 1973 Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games Village 

Mr Alvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy & Community), NHB, said: “Through the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, we hope to highlight new facets of the town’s history that very few Singaporeans know about, and present a more complete and updated story of Toa Payoh. In doing so, we hope to foster a greater sense of pride and belonging amongst residents, and encourage both residents and non-residents to re-explore Toa Payoh and rediscover the town’s heritage anew.”

The Toa Payoh Heritage Trail also incorporates contributions from the community and presents stories, memories and photographs contributed by former and current residents. Mdm Tang Mei Fong, a resident of Block 53 who contributed to the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, shared her personal memories of Toa Payoh: “I vividly remember the day Queen Elizabeth II visited our block. We all gathered around our doorways to look out for her arrival. I am very proud that a queen visited, and that Toa Payoh is used as a model for Singapore’s public housing that we show to the world.”

Toa Payoh – Forerunner in design

Toa Payoh is a first for a number of things in Singapore, they are the first town designed and developed by HDB, they are the testbed for different architectural design styles and features of public housing, as well as community amenities that can be found in HDB towns today. 

Block 53 “VIP Block”

Completed in 1967, the 19 storey Block 53 not offers a panoramic view of Toa Payoh, they have a viewing gallery on its roof top that played host to many foreign and local dignitaries such as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, then-Australian Prime Minister John Gorton, and Singapore’s second President Benjamin Sheares. With such a distinguished VIP list of visitors to Block 53, that is how it led to this iconic block being dubbed the “VIP Block”. 

1973 SEAP Games Village – Toa Payoh

More than just a model town, Toa Payoh became the host village for the first major international sporting competition to be held in Singapore – the 1973 Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games. Toa Payoh town provided more than just venues for competition and training, they were the location of the 1973 SEAP Games Village, where Toa Payoh Central is today.

With the 1973 SEAP Games Village right in the heart of Toa Payoh, visiting athletes and officials from seven different countries were encouraged to socialise with the locals, providing them with an authentic Singaporean experience. 

There were a total of four HDB point blocks in Toa Payoh Central that were used to house athletes from the seven participating countries. Following the conclusion of the games, units in the blocks were sold to the public fully furnished. 

Iconic Dragon Playground

This is another icon of Toa Payoh, a much-celebrated landmark of  Toa Payoh, the iconic Dragon Playground, with its classic elements of a terrazzo-clad dragon’s head distinguished by bold lines and geometric features. 

This iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground was the creation of HDB architect Mr Khor Ean Ghee. This design proved to be so popular that it led to different versions of the dragon head in various colour schemes appearing in playgrounds across Singapore.    

A Refresh with Fresh Stories

How much do you know about the history of Toa Payoh? With this updated Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, we can know more about the lesser-known stories of the town.

Toa Payoh – A Hub of Manufacturing Activity 

Toa Payoh was a hub of manufacturing activity in the 1960s when Singapore underwent rapid industrialisation, women formed the majority of the pioneer generation of young factory workers. They played a significant tole in the employment and output growth in the labour-intensive manufacturing sector in Singapore. 

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Welcome Supermarket – 1st NTUC Fairprice Supermarket 

The NTUC Fairprice located at 192 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, gets its landmark status from the first National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Welcome Supermarket in Singapore. It was opened to counter inflation and supplier profiteering. During its opening, the supermarket attracted huge numbers of shoppers upon its opening, and even had to close its doors every 3 to 4 hours to prevent overcrowding.

3 newly curated thematic routes of the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail

There are 3 newly curated thematic routes for you to rediscover Singapore’s history on the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail. They are self-guided routes which trail-goes can embark on in their own time, and according to their interests. 

Rediscover Toa Payoh through three thematic routes

• Of Public Housing & Shared Spaces (1.5 hours on foot, 4.5 km) 

Explore architectural development and changes of HDB blocks, communal spaces and town planning over the decades, that reflected the needs and aspirations of Singaporean homeowners. 

• Of Faiths & Beliefs (2 hours with public transport, 6 km)

Explore the various faiths and beliefs in Singapore through the temples, mosques, churches and institutions that represent the diverse communities which live, work, and worshipped in Toa Payoh.

• Of Community Institutions & Common Spaces (0.5 hrs on foot, 1.5 km)

Explore the institutions and spaces that continue to play an active role in the sporting, cultural and social lives of Toa Payoh residents.

Where can I get Toa Payoh Heritage Trail companion guide and map?

If you like to know more about the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, you can download the companion map and guide from NHB’s heritage portal roots.gov.sg. 

There are limited printed copies of the guide and map that will also be available at various locations including the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Toa Payoh East Community Club, Toa Payoh South Community Club, Toa Payoh Central Community Club, Toa Payoh West Community Club, and NHB headquarters at Stamford Court.

Check out this video of highlights of the Toa Payoh Heritage Trail on YouTube, for more information please visit https://go.gov.sg/toapayohheritagetrail/ 

Rediscover and Explore Singapore’s History and Heritage on Toa Payoh Heritage Trail 

I have previously explored Toa Payoh, starting from my old playgrounds personal visual story telling documentation project, photographing the iconic Toa Payoh Dragon Playground, as well as the Toa Payoh Baby Dragon Playground and Dinosaur Playground at Kim Keat Avenue, forming part of my OurSGHeritage/Old Places personal visual storytelling, documentation and photography project for the past decade (and still counting).

Thereafter, a few more trips to explore the local neighbourhoods, the iconic VIP Block 53, as well as Block 116, Central Horizon (Blocks 79A to 79E) for its bird’s eye view sceneries of Singapore, from the nearby heartlands around Toa Payoh, to green spaces and downtown Singapore. 

After rediscovering and exploring the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail, I realised that I still have more of Toa Payoh’s history, heritage, culture, spaces and sceneries to learn, explore and document them in my visual stories. With that in mind, I have consolidated my Toa Payoh earlier visual storytelling photos into an album on Flickr, for both locals and international visitors to visit and know more about Toa Payoh.

Last but not least, a special mention to Jerome Lim of The Long and Winding Road, whom I got to know (from a decade back) when I first started my old places documentation. We shared a common interest and passion in history, heritage and culture sectors, going for walks, talks, events. Jerome’s knowledge and passion in Singapore’s history, heritage and culture sectors are well-known and well-respected. 

Jerome is a former Toa Payoh resident, he has a unique and priceless connection with Toa Payoh and Block 53 “VIP Block”. If you know, you know, if you don’t know, why not visit Jerome’s website and discover it for yourself? Do also check out this video of Jerome being interviewed by Straits Times on his childhood adventures at the Toa Payoh Dragon Playground.  

I would like to encourage you, my fellow local Singaporeans and international visitors, to embark on a local and iconic neighbourhood heritage, history and culture tour in Singapore to rediscover and explore Singapore’s history and heritage on the refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail.  

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