Singapore HeritageFest 2024 – 1st to 26th May

Get ready for exciting galore and diverse range of programmes, such as offshore tours to kelongs and kampongs, ghostly encounters with the spookier parts of our heritage, exploring old schools and heritage hotels, also a secret “undisclosed” experience, and many more!

Singapore’s rich built heritage includes 75 National Monuments, over 7,000 conserved buildings and structures, and many more other historical sites and landmarks such as bridges, reservoirs and cemeteries, which may not be commonly associated with the term! Through SHF 2024 workshops, tours, trails, exhibitions and other activities across (and beyond the usual norm) Singapore, SHF festival goers will get to experience the history, heritage, culture and stories behind these buildings, sites and structures, packed with its own unique culture and heritage of the communities that live, work and play in and around them. 

SHF Festival Director David Chew said, “Singapore’s buildings, sites and structures – our built heritage – are more than just brick and stone. They hold the stories and experiences of diverse communities past and present, and it is the people and their stories that bring these spaces to life. They are showcases of the rich, unique culture and heritage that Singaporeans share, and we hope that many will have fun at the exciting offerings this year and discover new facets of our heritage at the same time. Ultimately, we hope that SHF will inspire Singaporeans to join us in celebrating and safeguarding our heritage together.” 

Together with more than 80 community partners, SHF 2024 celebrates the richness of Singapore’s built heritage which you can explore by foot, on bus and even on a boat. For the first time, local heritage brand Yeo’s will be an Official Partner of SHF. At SHF 2024, we will see the launch of Yeo’s special edition Orchid Chrysanthemum Tea, which will feature packaging designs inspired by an image of the Vanda Miss Joaquim in our National Collection.

Let’s Explore Stories of our Built Heritage 

With over 120 exciting and diverse programmes at SHF 2024. are you ready to start exploring stories of our built heritage? Where and how do I start? 

HOMEGROUND: We Built This City

A signature SHF offering, Homeground installation for 2024 is laid out on the lawn of a National Monument, the National Museum of Singapore, and pays homage to Singapore’s rich built heritage. 

HOMEGROUND: We Built This City will cover the themes of Nature, Commerce, Community, Residential and Governance, highlighting the intricate connections that have moulded Singapore’s architectural identity over the decades. There will be five displays that detail the evolution of Singapore’s public housing, and a landmark of Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bandstand gazebo at Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

SHF is also proud to receive Yeo’s support for its signature HOMEGROUND: We Built This City installation. Other new partners include DP architects, which designed HOMEGROUND and they will be presenting a series of tours of Singapore’s downtown area.

Amazing lineup of SHF 2024 Programmes

Here are some of the amazing lineup of SHF 2024 programmes! New SHF programmes – Walk, ride or even paddle to explore our built heritage.

Hop-On, Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus Experience: Come onboard the Hop-On, Hop-Off (HOHO) BUs Experience and embark on a journey of Singapore’s buildings and landmarks through historical precincts such as Little India and Bras Basah.Bugis, and discover the history and beauty of our built heritage at every stop.

Island Boat Tour + Kelong Visit by Let’s Go Tour: Cruise the northeastern waters of Singapore, learn about the history of its surrounding islands, and visit one of the the last remaining belongs in Singapore. 

My Bay Experience History Wanderers: Paddle through Singapore’s urban reservoir and get exclusive access to hidden corners of the Marina Basin on a kayak tour.

Kampong Gelam Photo Walk: Architecture on Film by Syahmi Hashim & Julina Khusaini: Embark on a photo walk at Kampong Gelam and capture the allure of the traditional precinct on film.

Malay Kampong Heritage Tour: Join Wan, a descendant of Pulau Ubin islanders, on an exploration of the Ubin Orang Pulau community and Singapore’s last surviving Malay kampong.

37 Emerald Hill Site Tours: Discover stories of Straits Chinese communities here. They are the first-ever public tours of the former home of Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS), led by former teachers and students familiar with the premises. 

Living Architecture: Conservation Tours at NUS Baba House: Participants will visit a 19th-century Straits Chinese home and learn about the conservation efforts that went behind the restoration of the NUS Baba House in 2007. 

Closing Weekend Block Party: Let the good times roll at SHF Closing Weekend Block Party with food, craft, and music performances on the lawn of the National Museum of Singapore, replicating the communal experience of celebrations and festivities at shared residential spaces.

SHF Celebrates 40 years of Total Defence

Unveiling South Beach Singapore: From Military Might to Modern Marvel: Participants can uncover fascinating stories behind the architectural gems at South Beach, from their days as part of a military strong hold to their transformation into a vibrant modern hub. Participants will gain exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to level 11 of South Beach Tower for breathtaking views, and enjoy a refreshing, specially crafted cocktail as part of the programme. 

40 Years of Total Defence with the Navy: Celebrate 40 years of total defence with the Navy with special edition guided tours of the Changi Naval Base and Navy Museum. Visitors can get a taste of Singapore Navy life and learn about Singapore Navy traditions with sailors past and present. 

A Taste of Outfield Camp: Heritage in a Mess Tin: Sample an outfield camp experience and prepare for a “route march” to SAFTI Military Institute all in one day.

Dive into Singapore’s Maritime Heritage

Dive into Singapore’s Maritime Heritage with Singapore Maritime Discoveries, organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. 

Singapore Maritime Gallery Tour: Experience Singapore’s maritime past, present and future at the Singapore Maritime Gallery Tour, which will highlight the industry’s rich maritime heritage, the impacts on our daily life, and how Singapore continues to thrive as a global hub port and international maritime centre.

Maritime Heritage Trail and Maritime Evolution Trail: Discover Singapore’s early maritime history on the Maritime Heritage Trail, and learn about the progress of our modern maritime industry on the Maritime Evolution Trail.

Raffles Lighthouse: Set sail on a journey of discovery through the Singapore Strait and visit the Raffles Lighthouse, a historic beacon which has over 168 years of maritime history. 

Echoes of 1959: Singapore River Tour – Time-travelling storytellers take participants on a captivating theatrical tour along Clarke Quay and bring forgotten stories of a street hawker, a secret society member, and a coolie to life on Echoes of 1959: Singapore River Tour.

Discover unique haunts in Singapore

For those who are interested in the paranormal, you can discover unique haunts in Singapore during SHF 2024.

Haunted History: Armenian Street – Fort Canning:  Explore the stories lurking beneath the veneer of modern Singapore, where anecdotes of ghostly encounters have been passed down through generations in Haunted History: Armenian Street – Fort Canning. Embark on a walking tour from the Peranakan Museum, and hear haunting tales of the area around Armenian Street and Fort Canning Hill. 

Dark Changi, The Walking Tour: Take a walk on the dark side and explore the rich history, abandoned buildings and spooky tales that lie hidden in plain sight at Changi. Dark Changi, The Walking Tour offers two experiences: Heritage and Hantu: A Twillight Tour of Changi’s heritage and abandoned buildings in the fading evening light, and Walk with Hantu: Changi where notorious sites set the scene for lore and legends to come alive through the haunting accounts of eyewitnesses. 

SHF 2024 programmes highlight

Although there is an extensive and diverse list of SHF 2024 programmes, there are two particular programmes that caught my attention and I would like to highlight to all my readers!

Undisclosed by SHF: Join a mystery tour organised by SHF, the only catch is – they won’t tell you where you are going.

NUS ArClab (https://www.arclabnus.com/)

The NUS Architectural Conservation Laboratory (ArClab) is part of National University of Singapore’s Department of Architecture. ArClab is into cutting-edge cross disciplinary research and collaboration across digital conservation technology, material sciences, and building aesthetics. 

For SHF 2024, ArClab has talks & workshops, tours & trails. During the media preview, I got to visit ArClab and got to know more about them. They are definitely worth a look at, if you are into heritage conservation and architecture. 

Lenses of the Past at Capitol Singapore & CHIJMES 

Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES are participating in SHF 2024, not only do they have promotions for festival goers to check out, they have activities and an exhibition too.

Our Storied Past: Heritage Tour and Afternoon Tea

Enjoy an amazing and delicious afternoon tea experience at the Lobby Lounge at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore with its 5 course Afternoon Tea. After your Afternoon Tea, start your exclusive walking tour to explore the history, heritage, culture, architecture and stories of Stamford House and Capitol Building. Next, take a short walk to CHIJMES and continue to learn about this National Monument.

Heritage Tour and Afternoon Tea Experience 

Dates: Every Wednesday and Saturday from 1st May to 26th May

Time: 

• 15:00 – Afternoon Tea experience at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
• 17:00 – Guided Heritage Tour of the The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, followed by CHIJMES 
• Weekdays at S$52++ per person
• Weekends at S$58++ per person

For more information, please visit https://www.kempinski.com/en/the-capitol-singapore/meetings-events/singapore-heritagefest-20242 

Legacy Lens Kit

Photography and heritage enthusiasts would love this Legacy Lens Kit! It’s limited edition, 10 lens cards in a vintage camera pouch! Walk around Capitol Singapore or CHIJMES historical landmarks shown on the lens cards, align the outline on each lens card to the real-life structure and take a photo!

For more information on Legacy Lens Kit, please visit https://chijmes.com.sg/happenings/singapore-heritagefest-legacy-lens-kit/ 

Lenses of the Past: Heritage Exhibition 

At CHIJMES, don’t miss the giant retro camera display for you to take photos for your Instagram and TikTok! Check out the Lenses of the Past: Heritage Exhibition on the history, heritage, culture and stories of CHIJMES.

Thereafter, you can have your happy hour drinks, lunch or dinner at CHIJMES with their promotions in conjunction with SHF 2024.

Visit https://chijmes.com.sg/ for more information!

Let’s go explore Singapore’s stories of our Singapore’s Built Heritage!

This Singapore HeritageFest 2024 is packed with an amazing and diverse list of programmes to celebrate Singapore’s rich history, heritage, culture, architecture and stories. Pack your backpack, pack your camera, rally your family, loved ones and friends, let’s go explore Singapore’s stories of our Singapore’s Built Heritage!

For more information on Singapore HeritageFest 2024, please visit https://www.sgheritagefest.gov.sg/ 

The post Singapore HeritageFest 2024 – Let’s Explore Stories of our Built Heritage appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

In the buildup over the past few weeks leading up to NDP 2022, I was at the Marina Bay area photographing the NDP rehearsals/NE Shows/Previews from different sides of Marina Bay with my trusty Canon EOS-1D X Mark II. For this series, this is going to be a little bit different, the photos are shot with the Canon EOS R7 that I am currently reviewing.

Singapore Flag Display in the heartland

National Monuments Light Up

Red Lions Heartland @ Ghim Moh

NDP 2022 Fighter Island Flypast 

NDP 2022 Fly Our Flag

NDP 2022 Fireworks

I wrote an article expressing my in-depth thoughts, views and feelings on Singapore’s 57th birthday, you can read them here on my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog.

Once again, wishing Happy SG57 Birthday to Singapore!

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production *

The post Happy SG57 Birthday to Singapore! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

This annual urban art event has both indoor and outdoor elements, with the light projections on the Civic District monuments façade.  There are also indoor art installations and art highlight trails for visitors to enjoy as well. Starting from the National Gallery Singapore, visitors can explore the rest of the Civic District, visiting The Arts House, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Esplanade Park and Victora Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall.

From 18^th January to 27^th January 2019, this is the Singapore Art Week Edition. The Singapore Art Week Edition explores contemporary art and ideas inspired by the Civic District’s rich histories and stories. Be the Explorer and head down to explore your own unique Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition with the theme “Traces and Echoes”.

Do also take note of the following

• Open House 25^th to 27^th January 2019
• Enhanced programming and extended hours on 25^th to 26^th January 2019
• Comedy Fridays and Music Saturdays on 25^th to 26^th January 2019 at the Padang Atrium

Now, are you ready to be your own Explorer for Light to Night Festival 2019 – Singapore Art Week Edition? Follow me in my own Explorer photography adventures below!

Art Skins on Monuments

National Gallery Singapore

Art Takes Over on the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore.

On the former City Hall building and former Supreme Court building of National Gallery Singapore, visitors can watch this light projection of an explorer on his journey titled “Day & Night”.

At the Padang Atrium, this is like a stage for you to be a star and show the world through your sound and movement at this artwork titled “Stasis & Flux”. How do you like being part of the something larger than yourselves , to be a part of this world?

Along the side of the Supreme Court Wing of National Gallery Singapore , you would enter into a world of “Light & Shadow”, entering into a forest that encompasses both natural and surreal landscapes. Observe the relationships and surroundings, as they reveal something to you.

The Arts House

Continuing your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District sof Singapore. You would arrive at The Arts House, into this artwork “Order & Chaos”, just like this figure from the other side of artificial intelligence and virtual world looking at you, giving you utopia and dystopia, order and chaos all together at The Arts House where Art Takes Over on the monuments.

Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

Moving on to the next Art Takes Over on the monuments, your Explorer journey to explore Light To Night Festival SG Art Week Edition in the Civic District of Singapore brings you to Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall. At this artwork, you can experience “Growth & Decay”, through renewal and degradation from the sun’s energy and force leading to both growth and decay.

Asian Civilisations Museum

As you arrive at Asian Civilisations Museum, this artwork “Dreams & Reality” brings you into life at the museum with the artefacts and objects coming to life at dusk, transforming into mythical creatures and landscape formations. At dawn, they returned back to normal again, is this just like the cyclical nature of your life journey?

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday – 8pm to 10pm ; Friday to Saturday – 8pm to 12mn

Light to Night Art Highlights Trail

Light to Night Festival is more than just artwork projections on the facades of the monuments in the Civic District of Singapore. For this year 2019 edition, there is a Light to Night Art Highlights Trail that you can explore and check out!

Coming soon – Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition

One Light to Night Festival, two unique experiences! For this year 2019 Light to Night Festival, this is also the Bicentennial edition taking place from 28^th January to 24^th February 2019.

I would continue to explore Light to Night Festival 2019 – Bicentennial Edition when they start on the 28^th January 2019! Do keep a lookout for my photographs and sharing on my Instagram and flickr photo album!

Light to Night Festival 2019

Dates:

18^th January to 27^th January 2019 (Singapore Art Week Edition)

28^th January to 24^th February 2019 (Bicentennial Edition)

Location: Civic District

Website:www.lighttonight.sg

Hashtag: #LightToNightSG

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The post Light to Night Festival 2019 – SG Art Week Edition appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Organised by the Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) division of the National Heritage Board (NHB), this is part of the PSM’s efforts to raise awareness of Singapore’s buildings history and heritage, using Lego bricks and blocks, to learn and deepen understanding of Singapore’s buildings and architecture, in a fun, yet educational and accessible platform to all.

Let me introduce my Lego minifigures explorers, they would be bringing you on a new and unique heritage exploration adventure in Singapore! Follow their adventures and discoveries here on my Instagram!

First and foremost, let’s go and explore eight National Monuments in Singapore inside this exhibition, namely:

Central Fire Station

Built: 1909

Gazetted: 18^thDecember 1998

Former Nanyang University Library and Administration Building

Built: 1955

Gazetted: 18^thDecember 1998

Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

Built: 1931

Gazetted: 8^thApril 2011

Jurong Town Hall

Built: 1974

Gazetted: 2^ndJune 2015

National Museum of Singapore

Built: 1887

Gazetted: 14^thFebruary 1992

St. Andrew’s Cathedral

Built: 1861

Gazetted: 28^thJune 1973

Sultan Mosque

Built: 1932

Gazetted:8^thMarch 1975

Thian Hock Keng

Built: 1842

Gazetted: 28^thJune 1973

Observe the architecture, observe the details and designs of each of the eight monuments. How close and accurate are they to the actual monument sites, considering that the exhibits are make up of Lego bricks and blocks? Given the constraints of the Lego bricks and blocks, the Little Brick Shop did an excellent job in designing and building those eight Singapore National Monuments on display! Great job My Little Brick Shop, well done!

Which Singapore Lego monuments is/are your favourite?

I am very impressed with Thian Hock Keng, Sultan Mosque and St. Andrew’s Cathedral Lego monuments models! The Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is amazing too, I really like it, brought back many memories when I was documenting and photographing the Green Corridor and former KTM Railway line!

Frommy Flickr photograph album dedicated to this exhibition, you can spot the intrigue details that the Little Brick Shop designed and built inside the Singapore National Monuments Lego models.

Lego unites both children and adults, this exhibition is perfect for parents to bring their children to the library during this June school holiday, visit and explore Singapore’s National Monuments, their history and heritage through Lego bricks and blocks.  Each and every Singapore Lego monuments have their own history and heritage story. Remember to read and learn about them at the exhibition!

Beyond the Singapore Lego monuments, for parents, why not bring your children to visit some of the National Monuments in Singapore? Bring along your Lego minifigures and take photos at the actual Singapore National Monuments sites! This is going to be great fun and educational exploration and outing for you and your family!

“How Many Bricks?” Contest on Social Media

From 7^thto 30^thJune, when you visit  Building History: Monuments in Bricks and Blocks at the Central Public Library, remember to visit the largest monument model, the Sultan Mosque. Make a guess, how many bricks were used to build this?

In order to participate, you can upload a photo of the Sultan Mosque model with their answer on your personal Facebook or Instagram accounts with the hashtags #BuildingHistorySG and #librarysg.

The three closest guesses will win LEGO models, while the next 10 closest guesses will win a unique children’s storybook on National Monuments.

Building History: Monuments in Bricks and Blocks Traveling Exhibition

Starting Venue: Central Public Library, National Library Building, Basement 1

Duration: 7^thto 30^thJune 2018

Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm (Daily, except on Public Holidays)

Admission: Free

General enquiries: NHB_NationalMonuments@nhb.gov.sg

Traveling Exhibition Schedule

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