by Lydia Tan
If you’re a Singaporean, or at least living in Singapore, you’re probably aware that this year is a special year in Singapore’s history as a nation: 2019 marks 200 years of Singapore’s founding by Sir Stamford Raffles. This significant milestone is already forming the basis for many new government policies and bills being put out; the recent Budget 2019 revealed two special commemorative initiatives, the Bicentennial Community Fund and the Bicentennial Bonus, to be launched. Some people even suspect that all this hype build-up will eventually lead to a possible election later this year.
Want to get a piece of the hype without getting involved in all the political nuances behind it? Here are 3 interesting (and not to mention free!) events and activities that have been lined up for you to join in the celebrations.
1. Light to Night Festival 2019: The Bicentennial Edition
Until 24 Feb (Sun-Thu 8-10pm, Fri-Sat 8pm-midnight)
Here’s something for your upcoming weekend plans this week: Singapore’s biggest façade light show is back this year, featuring stories from Singapore’s history being projected on the façade of some of our iconic buildings. Explore the history of the former Supreme Court through the eyes of Lady Justice at the National Gallery or follow the Singapore River through Singapore’s past at The Arts House. Think of it as an outdoor movie but on a building façade rather than on a screen!
2. New World, New Life Exhibition
Until 28 Apr (11.30am-6pm)
Organised by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, this exhibition at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre pays tribute to our nation’s forefathers. Find out why our forefathers left their hometowns to start a new life in Singapore and how they eventually made Singapore their home. Immerse yourself in this interactive exhibition and take a trip back to the past to see the Singapore that our forefathers grew up in.
3. AR history trails
From 28 Jan 2019 onwards
History comes to life – albeit virtually – through this unique trail that covers Singapore’s colonial past. Using the free BalikSG mobile app, scan the augmented reality (AR) markers scattered at different points along the Singapore River and watch as the scenery changes to an animated re-enactment of how that area looked like in the past. Experience momentous events in our history, like the signing of the 1819 treaty, through your phone screens right where they took place many years ago. Talk about a futuristic history lesson!
For now, this trail only goes along the Singapore River, but a similar AR tour around Fort Canning will launch sometime in June this year.
These are just a few of the events that have been lined up for this year’s Bicentennial; you can expect to see everything from discussion panels to film screenings spread out over the course of this year. Putting aside all the politics and government initiatives, this Bicentennial serves as a chance for us to learn more about our heritage and how we made it through these two centuries as a nation.
History might seem like a distant concept for us but if you think about it, there’s a lot we can learn from it, and these events and activities are a fun and interactive way to learn them. As youth of the next generation, if we ignore and fail to appreciate our past, how else can we expect to change the future?
