Programmes

Don’t miss out on the following programmes that we have curated for you at the National Archives Building and Bras Basah.Bugis precinct.

Tours

HEAT OF THE NIGHT
Dates: 19 August – 27 August 2022
Time: 7.30 pm – 11 pm
Starting point: National Museum of Singapore

Experience a rush of memories this Singapore Night Festival 2022 and join a self-guided race down memory lane in the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct. Fastest racers will be in the running to win attractive prizes, on top of bragging rights! Gather your friends and families to solve clues and uncover stories (and heritage) behind some beloved spots of the BBB city centre through interactive activities.

This programme is co-presented by the National Heritage Board (NHB) and National Library Board (NLB) as part of Singapore Night Festival and Curiocity, to discover hidden stories and facets of Singapore’s past from the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore collections.

School Bells and Hallways: Memories of Former School Buildings
Dates: 19, 20, 26 & 27 August 2022
Time: 8 pm – 9 pm
Starting point: National Archives Building, Archives Reading Room, Level 2

Did you know that the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) sits on the site that was once Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)? Do you know which other schools used to be located in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct? Join heritage guide Jerome Lim as he takes you on a journey to discover the interesting tales held at NAS, as well as former school buildings in the neighbourhood.

Talk

Archives Invites: Dr Caroline Chia – Telling a Tale about Hainanese Rod Puppetry
Date: 27 August 2022
Time: 6 pm – 7 pm
Venue: National Archives Building, Oldham Theatre, Level 3

Have you ever heard or seen Hainanese rod puppets? Did you know that there was a Hainanese enclave in Bugis where these puppet shows were once staged? Drawing upon archival sources and more than a decade of research, Dr. Caroline Chia shares the untold stories of Hainanese rod puppetry that has existed in Singapore for nearly a century.

Performances

Cityscapes of Yesteryear: Screening and Music Performance
Dates: 20 & 26 August 2022
Time: 7.30 pm – 8 pm
Venue: National Archives Building, Atrium, Level 3

Curious about how Singapore’s city centre looked like in the 1950s and 60s? Join us for a special screening of rare colour footage featuring Singapore’s streets and landmarks, and enjoy live music performed by M’Ode Wind Quintet, known for their unique yet flexible sound.

Traditional Puppetry Performance by San Chun Long
Date: 27 August 2022
Time: 7 pm – 7.30 pm & 8 pm – 8.30 pm
Venue: National Archives Building, Level 1

When was the last time you saw a live Chinese puppetry performance? Once common sights at temples and in the heartlands of Singapore, they are now rarely seen. Experience this artform as Hainanese rod puppet troupe, San Chun Long, performs this traditional craft with miniature puppets dressed in traditional Chinese opera costumes.