Battle for Singapore 2024
In commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, NHB and MR members have partnered academics, heritage enthusiasts, and interest groups to organise a series of public events to remember Singapore's experiences during World War II (WWII). The events will include guided tours, talks, exhibitions, and film screenings, which will highlight both familiar and lesser-known stories and places of Singapore during WWII.
Between 17 February to 3 March 2024, Battle for Singapore 2024 encourages participants to explore and engage with Singapore's wartime past; to hear the testimonies of veterans, ask new questions about Singapore's survival and resilience, and find deeper appreciation of the significance of this period in our history. In this year's edition, the signature programme will involve visits to multiple sites.
Follow us on the I Love Museums Facebook page to keep up to date on our programme offerings.
Registration opens on 15 February 2024, 10.00am at https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
Outdoor Tours
Date: 3 March 2024
Time: 8.30am - 12.00pm (3.5 hrs)
Price: Free with registration
The tour follows the course of the battles on 14-15 February 1942 as the Japanese 5th Division attempted to capture the MacRitchie Reservoir area and attack south through Bukit Brown and Mount Pleasant, which were defended by the British 18th Division.
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Guide
Beng Tang is a volunteer nature and heritage guide who leads tours on the history of WWII and the biodiversity of Bukit Brown. All Things Bukit Brown is a group of volunteers who record the heritage, habitat and history of Bukit Brown and its surrounding area.
Date: 2 March 2024
Time: 8.30am - 12.00pm (3.5 hrs)
Price: Free with registration
Participants will be taken on a walk through the heritage corridor from the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown cemetery. During the tour, the guides will share stories of WWII heroes and prominent personalities at heritage landmarks, including the Jacob Ballas Garden and old Raffles College. Participants will pass by the Former Command House along the route and end in Bukit Brown to learn about the battle that took place there with the British and Indian soldiers at the former kampung (village).
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Guides
Bianca Polak is of Dutch origin and has been living in Singapore for over 20 years. She is a volunteer guide conducting free heritage tours in Bukit Brown cemetery and she co-curated the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown walk together with Claire.
Claire Leow is a co-founder of All Things Bukit Brown and is passionate about heritage and community building. She loves sharing her stories of the cemetery with the public during her tours and talks.
Date: 17 February 2024
Time: 9.00am - 11.30am (2.5 hrs)
Price: Free with registration
Bukit Brown is, by accident of history, the largest repository in Singapore of WWII stories outside of a museum. It is the final home to tragic patriots like Tan Ean Kiam, valiant fighters for justice like Tay Koh Yiat and many countless victims like Soh Koon Eng. It is a story book that never stops regaling. Let Fabian Tee take you back to a time when fate collided and all lives in Singapore were turned upside down.
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Guide
Fabian is a volunteer guide who conducts free heritage tours in Bukit Brown cemetery and his tours cover various topics from revolutionaries to crazy rich Asians, to war themes. He is bilingual and conducts tours in both English and Mandarin.
Date: 24 February 2024
Time: 9.00am - 11.30am (2.5 hrs)
Price: Free with registration
Join Peter Pak of All Things Bukit Brown as he takes you on an exploration of Bukit Brown and hear stories of tragedy (the sinking of a ship that led to the deaths of many women and children) and of betrayal (leading to the death of the King’s Medal recipient whose ashes were only returned 11 years later and given a hero’s burial). Peter will also reveal the stories of an ambush by the resistance forces that led to the death of a pioneer whose burial was touted by the Japanese Military Administration as Syonan-to’s first public funeral, and of another survivor of that very same ambush whose life was transformed by that event and who went on after the war to play a pivotal role in the growth of Buddhism in Singapore.
Finally, we will hear stories of Chinese leaders who were forced to collaborate with the Japanese under duress, or who did so to survive or reap personal gain. Hear the stories of how they survived or died during this difficult period in Singapore’s history at Bukit Brown.
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Guide
Peter Pak is a volunteer guide for All Things Bukit Brown and a blogger who writes under the moniker of Rojak Librarian (https://mymindisrojak.blogspot.com).
Date(s): 24 February and 2 March 2024
Time(s): 9.00am - 10.30am | 10.30am - 12.00pm | 12.30pm - 2.00pm (90 mins)
Price: Free with registration
Join heritage veteran Jerome Lim on a trip to the sensitively reconstructed Cashin House. Located at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park, the site witnessed some of the first landings of the invading Japanese forces. Learn about the perspectives of men on the opposing sides as they engaged in battle, and about the natural and built heritage of the area.
A shuttle bus will be provided to and from the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre for registered participants. This programme is presented in collaboration with NParks and Jerome Lim.
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Guide
Jerome Lim blogs on The Long and Winding Road in an attempt to capture his experiences of Singapore in a constant state of flux. The site, on which Jerome also celebrates Singapore’s heritage through photographs, was twice awarded the Singapore Blog Award’s Best Photography Blog. For more information, please visit: https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com.
Date: 17, 24 February and 2 March 2024*
Time: 8.30am - 11.00am | 9.30am - 12.00pm (2.5 hrs)
Price: $35 per pax
Get on a bicycle to explore the sites and spaces traversed by the invading and defending forces during the final days of the Battle for Singapore in 1942. Led by volunteer guides Dr John Kwok and Mr Lee Kok Leong, learn about the wartime stories and military tactics employed from the Buona Vista defence line to the Pasir Panjang defence line as we retrace portions of the route the forces took in this southwestern region of Singapore.
Purchase tickets online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
Note*: This programme is for ages 13 and up only. The tour on 2 March, 8.30am - 11am will be conducted in Mandarin.
Date: 17, 24 February and 2 March 2024
Time: 4.30pm - 6.00pm (1.5 hrs)
Price: $5 per pax
Throughout history, people have erected statues and sculptures in honour of men and women of valour, courage and sacrifice. Tall, impressive and often austere - what do these memorials actually stand for? Who, or what, are we meant to remember?
Discover the symbolism in each memorial's design as well as the hidden stories behind each sculpture and engraving. More importantly, learn about the heroes who sacrificed themselves for Singapore, lest we forget.
Purchase tickets online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
About the Tour
Monumental Walking Tours are thematic tours specially curated and led by volunteer guides, who are passionate heritage enthusiasts keen to share about the beautiful architectural features of Singapore's National Monuments and the history surrounding these treasured buildings. As these guides reveal hidden gems of Singapore's past on location, history will truly come alive.
Battle of Pasir Panjang and Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Date: 2 March 2024
Time: 9.00am - 11.30am | 11.30am - 2.00pm (2.5 hrs)
Price: $21.80 per pax (inclusive of GST)
Explore both Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC) and key sights of Pasir Panjang and Kent Ridge, and find out more about the last stand of the Malay Regiment during World War Two in Singapore, as well as the story of Bukit Chandu itself.
The tour starts at Kent Ridge, where heritage researcher Sarafian Salleh will trace the route taken by Japanese imperial forces and the 1st Malay Regiment led by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in 1942. Continue on to a docent-guided tour of RBC, which presents a multi-faceted look at Bukit Chandu and Pasir Panjang, while inviting participants to reflect on our nation’s wartime experience and the brave sacrifice of the soldiers.
Purchase tickets online: RBC-pasirpanjang24.peatix.com. Ticket price includes tours at the two sites that are part of this Twinned Tour
Note: This programme is for ages 13 and up only.
This programme is presented by the Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
About the Guide
Sarafian Salleh is an independent heritage researcher and history enthusiast. Since 1985, Sarafian has spent most of his spare time studying and researching the history of the Malay world. His passion intensified when he began constructing his family tree, most of whom are of Bugis descent. His knowledge and authority on the subject have led to him being honorifically called Tuah Bugis on social media. He conducts heritage walks to uncover and share untold stories of Singapore.
Changi Chapel and Museum and Changi Point
Date: 18 February 2024
Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm | 11.00am - 2.00pm (3 hrs)
Price: $21.80 per pax (inclusive of GST)
Uncover stories of World War Two (WWII) in Singapore in this special twinned tour of the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) and Changi Point. The programme begins with a docent-led tour of the CCM where you will learn about the experiences of the POWs imprisoned at Changi.
Then, explore Changi Point in an outdoor walking tour with Jerome Lim of the Long and Winding Road, uncovering the history of various historical sites and the role they played during WWII. The tour will include the newly re-opened boardwalk along the Changi coast, as well as former military buildings in the area.
Purchase tickets online: CCM-changipoint24.peatix.com. Ticket price includes tours at the two sites that are part of this Twinned Tour and transportation between CCM and Changi Point.
Note: This programme is for ages 13 and up only.
The tour of Changi Chapel and Museum is conducted by our Museum Volunteers. The tour of Changi Point is guided by Jerome Lim.
About the Guide
Jerome Lim blogs on The Long and Winding Road in an attempt to capture his experiences of Singapore in a constant state of flux. The site, on which Jerome also celebrates Singapore’s heritage through photographs, was twice awarded the Singapore Blog Award’s Best Photography Blog. For more information, please visit: https://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com.
Date: 25 February 2024
Time: 9.00am - 11.30pm (2.5 hrs)
Price: Free with registration
What was life like under Occupation - in the beginning when the Singapore fell in the midst of the Lunar New Year celebration and also closer to the end of the Occupation, when there were clear signs the Japanese were losing control? Catherine takes you on a walk on the dark side, touching on the historical events of Sook Ching, of the humiliation the Chinese leaders had to go through, and of accusations of betrayal and post war exoneration.
Register online: https://bsg2024.peatix.com.
This tour is led by Catherine Lim of All Things Bukit Brown.
About the Guide
Catherine Lim helms the blog bukitbrown.com. She was the project lead on the book WWII@BukitBrown & Wayfinder - an onsite trail with directional signs and information panels on selected graves. Both are being updated this year.
Museum Programmes
NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER: Three Days Before the Fall
Date(s): 23 - 25 February & 1 - 3 March 2024
Time(s): Fridays, 6.30pm & 9.00pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 6.00pm & 8.30pm (110 mins)
Price: $48 per pax (before ticketing charges)
It is 12 February 1942 and the invaders have already reached Bukit Timah.
Enter the Battle Box as a member of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Corps, suddenly assigned to this bunker as the battle for Singapore draws near the city. As you receive your introduction to the inner workings of the secretive Fortress Command, let the staff - colonial and local - reveal how the war is really going. Discover the astounding mis-steps that charted our fall, and the brutal lessons that mapped out our future.
Whose war was it? Whose land is it?
NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER: Three Days Before the Fall transports audiences to the final days before the fall of Singapore in February 1942 in a new 110-minute immersive theatrical experience written and directed by Jonathan Lim.
Feel the pulse of World War II as you immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the Battlebox. NO QUESTION OF SURRENDER challenges a traditional theatrical experience by offering a unique opportunity to live and breathe the past.
Written and Directed by Jonathan Lim
Starring Alfred Loh, Izzul Irfan, Al-Matin Yatim & Justin Lee
Produced by Global Cultural Alliance in collaboration with the Battlebox
Purchase tickets online: https://bit.ly/battleboxNQOS.
About the Director and Playwright
Writer, director & actor Jonathan Lim is a graduate of Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and created the parody show Chestnuts over 25 years ago. He has directed plays and musicals for W!LD RICE, The Theatre Practice, Action Theatre, Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble and his own theatre company STAGES. He also created young & W!LD, W!LD RICE’s youth training wing. Playwriting credits include Four Horse Road, Unforgotten the Musical, Gallery of Secrets : The Lost Lily, Diva to the Death, People Say Got Ghost and 她门 (The Bride Always Knocks Twice) with Liu Xiaoyi. Musicals written include H Is For Hantu, Women on Canvas, Getai the Musical, Pursuant, Sparks the Musical (for DBS’ 50th anniversary), the LOVE 972FM musicals 新西游记，Hero 来咯 and 梁 Ju ; and WILD RICE pantomimes Oi! Sleeping Beauty! And A Singapore Carol. Screenwriting credits include 2 seasons of the sitcom Meet the MP, the telemovie +65, the web series Cheerific, the Tiktok sitcomBTOgether and Eric Khoo’s feature film In The Room.
His poetry and prose have appeared in Capsule and The Best of Singapore Erotica. He has also published Between Gods And Ghosts - a book on the Chinese supernatural landscape in Singapore. He also co-hosts the Supernatural Confessions livestream Friday Night Live and conducts the Walk with Hantu: Changi ghost tour.
Secrets Beneath The Surface: A Curator's Tour of The Battlebox
Date: 2 March 2024
Time: 11.00am - 12.00pm (60 mins)
Price: $15 per pax
The Battlebox invites you to unveil the secrets of Singapore's only operational WWII bunker; and journey through a meticulously recreated past to experience the pulse of strategic decisions leading to the fall of Singapore. Led by historian and curator, Tan Teng Teng, this exclusive tour uncovers the history of the Battlebox, including insights on the pivotal roles each room played within the labyrinthine complex. Hear everyday accounts of the soldiers who once occupied the hallowed halls. Teng Teng will also share personal stories and anecdotes about her experience researching the Battlebox.
Purchase tickets online: https://bit.ly/BBcuratorstour Limited capacity, book early to avoid disappointment.
About the Curator
Joining the National Parks Board as Assistant Manager at Fort Canning in 1990s, Tan Teng Teng served as the founding curator of the Battlebox (1995 to 1999). In this capacity, Teng Teng was responsible for researching, restoring, renovating and curating the existing iconic displays at the Battlebox. Notably, her recreation of the surrender conference room - where Lt General Percival made the decision to surrender to the invading Japanese forces on 15 February 1942 - is possible the only such in Singapore of that historic occasion. Till today, the Battlebox is Singapore's only operational World War II bunker that is functioning as a historic site.
Teng Teng is now the founder and director of arts and history consultancy, Art Logica Pte Ltd and has more than 30 years of experience in Singapore's arts, heritage and culture scene.
We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War - Children's Tour
Date: 2 March 2024
Time: 12.30pm - 2.00pm (90 mins)
Price: $15 per pax
Join us on an exciting afternoon's discovery at the Battlebox through a curator's tour and author talk, specially designed for curious participants aged 9 - 14 years old! Uncover bite-sized secrets and stories of the Battlebox with curator and historian Tan Teng Teng. After which, participants are in treat for an author talk and conversation with Sim Ee Waun - the author of We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War. Be regaled with little-known stories about the war in Singapore, and learn about the intricacies, conundrums and surprises that came with writing the book.
Purchase tickets online: https://bit.ly/BBchildrenstour. Limited capacity, book early to avoid disappointment.
About the Curator
Joining the National Parks Board as Assistant Manager at Fort Canning in 1990s, Tan Teng Teng served as the founding curator of the Battlebox (1995 to 1999). In this capacity, Teng Teng was responsible for researching, restoring, renovating and curating the existing iconic displays at the Battlebox. Notably, her recreation of the surrender conference room - where Lt General Percival made the decision to surrender to the invading Japanese forces on 15 February 1942 - is possible the only such in Singapore of that historic occasion. Till today, the Battlebox is Singapore's only operational World War II bunker that is functioning as a historic site.
Teng Teng is now the founder and director of arts and history consultancy, Art Logica Pte Ltd and has more than 30 years of experience in Singapore's arts, heritage and culture scene.
About the Author
Sim Ee Waun is the author of We Shall Remember: The Story of Singapore at War - perhaps the first book written for children about World War Two in Singapore. She also co-wrote The Little Singapore Book, The House on Palmer Road, its sequel The House on Silat Road. A history buff, she is passionate about bringing tales from Singapore's past to life for children, hoping that they (and their adults) will discover that our past is full of amazing stories. Ee Waun was a food writer and magazine editor for almost 30 years, before turning to writing historical creative non-fiction for children, and co-founding publishing house Pepper Dog Press. When not writing, she teaches part-time at the National University of Singapore, and is a docent at the Former Ford Factory Museum.
Dancing Poppies by Artist Florence Ng
Date(s): 17 February - 17 August 2024
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Price: Free, registration not required
In times of war, the human spirit perseveres not only through resilience but also creativity. As we reflect on the courage and formidable spirit of those interned in Changi Gaol during the Japanese Occupation, let us appreciate the human ability to find joy in simple acts of creativity. This poppy installation by artist Florence Ng features kinetic elements that capture sunlight and move together with the wind, highlighting the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance with hope and joy.
DIY Paper Poppies
Date(s): 17 February - 10 March 2024
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Price: Free, registration not required
Complete your visit and make your own paper poppy flower at the last stop of the exhibition. Pen down your thoughts and head to the Chapel to ‘plant’ it.
Stamping Activity
Date(s): 17 February - 10 March 2024, daily except Mondays
Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Price: Free, registration not required
Pick up a postcard from our Visitor Services counter at Changi Chapel and Museum and look out for our stamping stations within each exhibition. Turn the postcard into a keepsake artwork for you to bring home at the end of the exhibition!
Complete the stamping activity at both Changi Chapel and Museum & Reflections at Bukit Chandu to redeem a mystery gift.
Note: The mystery gift is limited to the first 50 redemptions per week at each museum. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.
Twinned Tours: Singapore Navy Museum and Changi Chapel and Museum
Date(s): 17 and 18 February 2024
Time: 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Price: $21.80 per pax (inclusive of GST)
Visit two museums in one special tour!
Start your journey at the Singapore Navy Museum (SNM) and learn about how a band of volunteers stepped up to defend Singapore at sea during the Malayan Campaign in 1942. Discover how they laid the foundation for today’s modern and capable Navy.
Continue your experience at the Changi Chapel & Museum (CCM), where you will hear stories about prisoners of war in Singapore, including local volunteers, and their courage and resilience during World War Two.
Purchase tickets online: https://snm-ccm24.peatix.com. The ticket price includes transportation between Expo MRT, SNM and CCM.
Against All Odds: Stories from Eurasian WW2 Survivors
Date(s): 24 February and 2 March 2024
Time: 11.00am - 1.00pm (2 hrs)
Price $10 per pax
Through a specially curated tour and video screening, you will hear first-hand accounts from Eurasian WW2 survivors and their family members about the horrors of the Japanese Occupation. You’ll be inspired by their determination to survive in the face of hardship and deprivation. Plus, you’ll even get a taste of WW2 as you sample war-inspired refreshments.
Purchase tickets online: https://eurasianheritagegallery.peatix.com.
Peace Blossoms Display at Fort Siloso
Date(s): 15 - 19 February 2024
Time: 9.00am - 6.00pm
Price: Free
Fort Siloso, Singapore’s best-preserved 19th century fort, was officially gazetted on the Total Defence Day (15 February 2022) as a National Monument, and is home to the remains of fortified military structures, guns and tunnels that were used during World War II. As we commemorate the Battle of Singapore from 15 to 19 February 2024, we remember the crucial role that Fort Siloso had played in defending Singapore. The muzzles of eight guns at Fort Siloso will be decorated with flowers in a symbolic gesture of peace, called the Sentosa Peace Blossoms. Flowers of peace, such as Peace Lily, Gerbera, Eustoma, Lavender and Chrysanthemum, will be arranged into beautiful floral bouquets to “silence the guns” as our message for peace.
Free Day Tour at Fort Siloso (Limited time only)
Date(s): 10, 16, 17, and 18 February 2024
Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm (90 mins)
Price: Free upon registration
Come and explore Fort Siloso, Singapore’s best-preserved 19th century fort, and the remains of fortified military structures, guns and tunnels that were used during World War II with our passionate guides, as Sentosa commemorates the Battle of Singapore where we remember the crucial role that Fort Siloso had played in defending Singapore.
For the session on 10 Feb, registration opens on 2 Feb at 12.00pm onwards. For the sessions on 16 to 18 Feb, registration opens on 9 Feb at 12.00pm onwards.
Second World War Vintage Toys Guided Tour and Fighter Plane Making
Date(s)*: 17 February - 3 March 2024
Time(s): 10.30am - 11.30am | 11.30am - 12.30pm | 2.30pm - 3.30pm | 4.30pm - 5.30pm (60 mins)
Price: $35 per adult, $25 per child
Ever wondered about the warplanes or ships that battled during the Second World War?
This programme examines how toys were used to normalise war, encourage war efforts and celebrate war achievements across Allied Forces (Britain, France, USSR & USA) and the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy & Japan).
The museum’s Second World War collection features figurines of iconic war heroes, collectables of Sikh soldiers who fought bravely during the Battle of Singapore in 1942, propaganda toys as well as a focus on fighter planes and battleship toy models that have left a legacy until today.
Visitors will also learn about and assemble their own WW2 Flying Glider Plane, a nostalgic toy produced and widely played in the 1950s, designed to represent iconic fighter planes such as the Spitfire and Mitsubishi Zero - both of which also have original toy models displayed in the museum.
Read more: https://emint.com/battle-of-singapore/
Purchase tickets online: https://www.ticketing.emint.com.
*Programme not available on Wednesdays, and the Museum is closed on Mondays.
Archives Invites: Lee Geok Boi - Researching the Syonan Years at the National Archives of Singapore
Date: 15 February 2024
Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm (60 mins)
Price: Free upon registration
The collections at the National Archives of Singapore give incredible insights into Singapore’s history. Besides official records, there is a treasure trove of oral history interviews on the Japanese Occupation of Singapore (1942—45) as well as relevant materials from other archival collections. The talk will explore the difficulties of accessing archival records when they were paper records, today’s ongoing digitisation efforts, and privacy law and its effects on researchers.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/archives-invites-lee-geok-boi-researching-the-syonan-years-at-nas.
About the Speaker
Lee Geok Boi is a former librarian and Straits Times journalist and is now a freelance writer. She has been using archival materials since the 1980s and has conducted extensive research into many aspects of Singapore’s past, from pre-Raffles to post-independence history. She is also a noted cookbook writer, her latest being In a Straits-born Kitchen (2021, Marshall Cavendish Cuisine) where she presents a short history of Straits-born cooking.
Guided Tour of Former Ford Factory
Date: 17 February 2024
Time(s): 11.30am - 12.30pm | 2.30pm - 3.30pm (60 mins)
Price: Free upon registration
Every year, Singapore commemorates Total Defence Day on 15 February, which marks the fall of Singapore in 1942. Join us for a guided tour of the Former Ford Factory and discover stories of the Japanese invasion and Occupation of Singapore, as well as the resistance and resilience of the people.
Register online: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/guided-tour-of-former-ford-factory-tickets-823285157067
Note: Any child participant of/under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Makan with Seniors: World War II edition
Date: 24 February 2024
Time: 12.00pm - 3.00pm (3 hrs)
Price: Free upon registration
Makan with Seniors celebrates seniors' stories, breaks down stereotypes and creates friendships over food.
This special edition, organised for Battle for Singapore 2024, will focus on second-generation war memories and the legacy of World War Two in Singapore. Join us if you are a senior (aged 60 and above) who has stories to share or a youth (aged 35 and below) interested to find out more about the war through personal accounts! Participants will be paired up or grouped together to converse while having a meal together.
Registration is free, on a first come first served basis. Register at: tinyurl.com/mtan7478 or email eleanor@agelessonline.net.
Peacetime Kitchen: Talk and Cooking Demonstration
Date: 25 February 2024
Time: 2.00pm - 4.00pm (2 hrs)
Price: $21.80 per pax (inclusive of GST)
Taste and learn about the creativity and ingenuity of wartime cooks from their recipe legacies, with dishes such as banana marmalade and coconut biscuits brought to new life for contemporary kitchens. Award-winning food writer, culinary instructor and photographer Christopher Tan will share tales and tidbits in this talk and live demonstration of heritage dishes from popular cookbooks and personal notebooks written and used during World War Two.
Please note that the Peacetime Kitchen recipe cards discussed during the programme are out of print. However, printouts of selected recipes will be made available for registered attendees.
Purchase tickets at: https://peacetimekitchen-24.peatix.com, ticket price includes talk, live cooking demonstration, as well as tasting of three dishes.
About Christopher Tan
Christopher Tan is an award-winning writer, photographer, author and instructor whose original words, images and recipes centre on food, culture and heritage, and have been published in 14 books and many international magazines.
Loyal and True: A Theatrical Experience at Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Date: 3 March 2024
Time(s): 3.00pm - 3.30pm | 4.30pm - 5.00pm
Price: $16 per pax (inclusive of GST)
Immerse yourself in the story of the Malay Regiment in this interactive theatrical experience! Hear from the characters about their thoughts and feelings regarding their experiences during World War Two, and discover the heroic and human aspects of the Malay Regiment.
Registration at: https://rbc-loyalandtrue24.peatix.com.
Note: This programme is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Surviving The Wild by Beyond Expeditions SG
Date: 17, 18, 24, 25 February 2024
Time: 11.00am - 4.30pm
Price: Free, no registration required
In times of war, survival skills play a critical role in enabling individuals to overcome adversity, secure essential resources and adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Pick up skills similar to those used by military troops in Singapore during wartime such as rope weaving, camouflage techniques and map-reading skills. Survival activities are guided by local outdoor adventure team, Beyond Expeditions Singapore. This year, enjoy a more immersive experience as you travel through a forest in the dark in our special forest maze set-up.
Complete all survival stations and bring home a mystery gift!
Note: This is a drop-in activity. No pre-registration is required. The mystery gift is limited to the first 200 redemptions per week. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.
Stamping Activity
Date(s): 17 February - 10 March 2024, daily except Mondays
Time: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Price: Free, registration not required
Pick up a postcard from our Visitor Services counter at Reflections at Bukit Chandu and look out for our stamping stations within each exhibition. Turn the postcard into a keepsake artwork for you to bring home at the end of the exhibition!
Complete the stamping activity at both Changi Chapel and Museum & Reflections at Bukit Chandu to redeem a mystery gift.
Note: The mystery gift is limited to the first 50 redemptions per week at each museum. Redemption is on a first come, first served basis and while stocks last. Limited to one gift per person.
Hotel Aporia: Artist Tour and Conversation with Ho Tzu Nyen and Dr Ma Jung-Yeon
Date: 3 March 2024
Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm (90 mins)
Price: Free with registration
Why did the Japanese call it 'The Pacific War,' while in Singapore we call it 'World War II'? First presented at the Kirakutei Inn in Toyota City, artist Ho Tzu Nyen's Hotel Aporia confronts the complex ideological and historical backdrops that plagued the 1940s. Through characters that include World War II Kamikaze pilots, Kyoto School Philosophers and filmmakers Yasujiro Ozu and Ryuichi Yokoyama, experience the conflicting contexts, diverging narratives and new insights gathered within Hotel Aporia, revealing different perspectives on the past.
In this session, get firsthand accounts from the artist on the installation and development of the work, and the research that went into its production. Thereafter, Ho Tzu Nyen will be joined by Dr Ma Jung-Yeon in conversation to delve deeper into the role of art in unpacking complex histories.
Register online: : https://hotelaporiaartisttour.peatix.com.
About the Artist
Drawing from historical events, documentary footage, art history, music videos, and mythical stories, Ho Tzu Nyen's (b. 1976) films and video installations investigate the construction of history, myths and the plurality of identities. Since 2012, Ho's The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia has framed many of his projects and installations. Ho is one of the most internationally recognised contemporary artists from Singapore, having represented the Singapore Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale (2011).
About Dr Ma
Ma Jung-Yeon (b. 1980, Seoul) graduated from Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts with her doctoral dissertation on social implications of art and media technologies, later published as A Critical History of Media Art in Japan (2014). Her recent publications include Seiko Mikami: A Critical Reader (2019: co-editor), "Making Random Access to Nam June Paik" (2022), "On Ho Tzu Nyen's 'Japan Trilogy'" (2023), and "Sculpting in Time" (2024). She is currently working as associate professor at the Department of Film and Media Studies, Kansai University and guest curator at the National Museum of Art, Osaka.
Defence Through The Ages Guided Tour
Date: 24 February 2024
Time: 1.00pm - 2.00pm (60 mins)
Price: Free upon registration
Embark on a hero's journey at Singapore Discovery Centre where you won't just commemorate 40 years of Total Defence - you'll live it. Join us on our Defence Through The Ages Guided Tour and discover some of the key historical events that shaped our defence strategy through the years. Then take a glimpse at how these strategies can play a part in keeping Singapore safe and secure at our Total Defence Special Exhibition.
This programme is presented by Friends of Singapore Discovery Centre (FoSDC), volunteers passionate about sharing the Singapore story.
Register online: https://www.defencecollectivesg.com/shop/products/defence-through-the-ages.
Gallant (Film Screening)
Date: 24 Feburary 2024
Time: 3.00pm - 3:30pm (30 mins)
Price: Free
Experience a time of war and anguish through a short film that recounts a scene of the Japanese invasion of Singapore back in 1942, where love and family bond triumphed over fear and turned cowardice into heroism, amid terror and panic.