In conjunction with this year’s Singapore Heritage Festival (SHF), International Museum Day (IMD) and Hari Raya celebrations, we have lined up a series of programmes celebrating our traditions as well as inter-generational stories for you and your loved ones!
Join us as we explore our heritage through creative and enriching workshops, tours and talks this May!
International Museum Day at the National Museum
This year, the National Museum of Singapore presents talks in commemoration of International Museum Day (IMD), designed around the theme “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”.
Learn from professionals and members from the community as they co-create, imagine and share new practices for cultural institutions and innovative solutions for the social, economic and environmental challenges of the present.
To commemorate the day, all visitors enjoy free admission to our museum on 18 May!
Talk at the Tuckshop: Sustainability
- Saturday, 15 May 2021 | 2pm – 4.30pm |
- Gallery Theatre | $24/pax or $40/pair (Each ticket includes a curator tour and unique souvenirs of Home, Truly special exhibition)
One of the focus of this year’s International Museum Day is sustainability, and how museums can play a part to promote sustainable practices in a world where ecological issues are increasingly taking centre stage.
However, sustainability often feels like a big word to those of us who are not actively engaged in the scene. But, what exactly does it mean to be sustainable? And how can we engage in a way that makes sense for us?
This session aims to reacquaint participants with the green sector. In unpacking the topic with a fresh lens by using the Home, Truly special exhibition as a starting point, we hope to bring new perspectives on the topic and bridge the gap between participants’ awareness of environmental issues that could be relevant to them.
This programme is suitable for all participants from ages 16 and above and is held in conjunction with the exhibitions Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore, 1950s to the Present.
Curation in a Time of Pandemic: Behind the Scenes of Home, Truly and Picturing The Pandemic *Livestreamed*
- Thursday, 20 May 2021 | 7.30pm |
- Gallery Theatre | $5/pax (Each ticket comes with light refreshments to take home)
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at of two special exhibitions presented at the National Museum – Home, Truly: Growing Up With Singapore, 1950s to the Present and Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID in Singapore.
Both exhibitions were put together in 2020, a year where COVID-19 swept the world and affected every aspect of our lives. What were the challenges faced by the curators of the two exhibitions, and how did they adapt to, innovate for and (re)create museum experiences in a time of pandemic?
Find out more in this special dialogue session that brings together curators from the two exhibitions in conversation.
This programme is held in conjunction with the exhibitions Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore, 1950s to the Present and Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of Covid-19 in Singapore’.
Singapore Heritage Festival at the National Museum
In conjunction with this year’s Singapore Heritage Festival (SHF), the National Museum will be presenting a series of programmes on unique workshops featuring local food favourites and explore medical stories of individuals who were impacted during the pandemic.
Viewers can look forward to workshops on the innovative recreation of Singapore’s favourite foods and hear experiences of individuals who were in the heart of the Covid pandemic.
Our Medical Journey *Livestreamed*
- Saturday, 8 May 2021 | 11am |
- Gallery Theatre | $5/pax (Each ticket comes with light refreshments to take home)
When we remember the COVID-19 pandemic, we think of medical professionals and their tireless work at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic. But how do we capture that moment in time?
As part of an initiative by the museum to document contemporary events and developments in Singapore, photographer Bob Lee was commissioned to capture the day-to-day of a nurse’s working life during the pandemic.
Hear from Bob as he recounts his experience of taking photos in the Khoo Teck Puat hospital and what it meant to capture the work of healthcare professionals during these exceptional times.
This programme is organised in conjunction with the museum’s ‘Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of Covid-19 in Singapore’ special exhibition.
Kueh-vaganza *Livestreamed*
- Saturday, 15 May 2021 | 11am & 3pm |
- The Salon | $7/pax for My Kueh Story |
- $12/pax for InKUEHdible Workshop
Let us celebrate Singapore’s love of kuehs! Kueh refers to an array of traditional sweet or savoury bite-sized snacks that can range from cakes, pudding to pastries.
It is widely savoured by locals and tourists, young and old, people of different races and all walks of life. In this special presentation, we bring you two programmes all for the love of kueh!
My Kueh Story - A story of love that began with kueh
- 11am | $7/pax *
*each ticket includes light refreshment and bento set comprising of two ang ku kuehs for each participant to take home
What started as a daughter’s wish to give a meaningful gift for her mother’s 70th birthday has turned this self-taught cook and bubbly mother of two into a business owner running a successful home-business, Kuehdys Foo, earning mentions on local lifestyle blogs and The Sunday Times.
The mastermind behind it is Gladys Foo, a who began her kueh journey by learning how to make ang ku kueh using an aunt’s recipe, wanting to surprise her mother on her birthday.
Join us as she recounts her memories of learning how to make these traditional treats through trials of family recipes and research on cookbooks and food websites. Don’t miss her food demonstration on ang ku kueh, the kueh that started it all!
InKUEHdible Workshop
- 3pm | $12/pax* |
*each ticket will entitle each participant a set of moulds and ingredients to recreate their own kueh at home.
While kueh holds an irreplaceable role in Singapore’s food heritage, the food texture of certain types of kueh may not be suitable for all, particularly the elderly and dysphagic patients.
In this special workshop by GentleFoods, find out more about the history of kueh and the importance of food textures for those who have swallowing difficulties. Participants will also learn how to prepare pureed ang ku kueh during the 1.5-hour workshop.
About GentleFoods
Local company GentleFoods specialises in creating moulded puréed food that is familiar, safe and nutritious that helps in stimulating the appetite with the way it looks, tastes and smells, bringing the joy of food back into the lives of people with swallowing difficulties. The nurturance, thoughtfulness and committed culture at GentleFoods aims to bring back the positive and joyous relationship with food.
The ImPECKable Rendang Workshop *Livestreamed*
- Saturday, 22 May 2021 | 11am
- The Salon | $15/pax (Each ticket comes with a box of this unique rendang to take home.)
Rendang, a hearty festive dish made from chicken or beef that is simmered in coconut milk and spices till tender is synonymous to Hari Raya. Today, Rendang has earned a special place in our food heritage, can be enjoyed without waiting for the festive season and appreciated by many in Singapore.
As an extension of the InKUEHdible Workshop presented as part of the museum’s Singapore Heritage Festival programmes, where we showcase moulded pureed food, we present The ImPECKable Rendang Workshop as the museum celebrates Hari Raya as part of its Ethnic Festival Celebrations.
Join GentleFoods and celebrity chef Charlie Tham to watch how to recreate the Chicken Rendang for individuals for both normal individuals and those who have swallowing difficulties. Participants will also learn how to prepare Chicken Rendang from scratch for the upcoming festive favourite in this workshop for their loved ones at home.
This programme is also organised in support of Hari Raya Celebrations. For other Hari Raya programmes, keep scrolling!
About the Chef
Chef Charlie Tham is the Head of Culinary at Compass Group Singapore and he has garnered more than 30 years of experience. No stranger to the spotlight, he has been the Guest Judge or Guest Chef in Mediacorp shows, such as The 4 Chefs and various cooking competitions.
Hari Raya Celebrations
Experience the festive Hari Raya at the museum, with a day of fun activities for everyone!
For visitors looking for something different, join our unique Rendang workshop, and a presentation on Reclusive Ramadan to hear how our Muslim friends went through the challenge of fasting and celebrating Hari Raya during Circuit Breaker in 2020.
If you’re looking to do something fun with the little ones, we present a story of Haji Agil that is about friendship, forgiveness and repentence and a Ketupat weaving workshop where you can learn the art of weaving this Hari Raya favourite.
For those who wish to immerse in the festive mood, watch a rousing Dikir Barat performance by award-winning group, Kelana Purba as they present a programme unique to Hari Raya and also share a bit of history of the art form and the different yet vital roles of each member in a Dikir Barat performance.
Let’s Make Ketupat! – A Weaving Workshop
- Saturday, 22 May 2021 | 10.30am |
- Seminar Room | $10/pax or $15/pair (Each ticket comes with craft materials and light refreshments to take home.)
Ketupat is a favoured staple during this festive season. Weaving a ketupat is considered to be an art form not mastered by many. Learn the steps of making your own ketupat through this workshop!
Suitable for 13 years and above but parents/grandparents may wish to attend this programme along with their child/grandchild and purchase 1 pair of tickets at a special price.
Songkok Haji Agil Storytelling
- Saturday, 22 May 2021 | 11.30am & 3.30pm |
- $13/pair, $5/additional ticket* |
* Each ticket entitles one pair of parent/grandparent and child to a set of craft materials.
Please purchase additional tickets if you are bringing more than one child/ adult. The price for the additional ticket does not cover craft materials.
Join storyteller and bilingual author, Rilla Melati, in this 45-min English storytelling programme in a special Hari Raya tale. In her latest children’s picture book set for release during Hari Raya, follow the story of ‘Songkok Haji Agil’ as he learns the true value of friendship, forgiveness and repentence in celebrating a very special Hari Raya!
Listen attentively to the story and participate in the pop quiz segment where children can stand a chance to win prizes. To complete this interactive experience, parents or grandparents will work together to make their very own songkok and learn simple Malay phrases at the end of the session.
This programme is suitable for children aged 5 and above.
Dikir Raya – A Dikir Barat Showcase *Livestreamed*
- Saturday, 22 May 2021 | 2pm |
- Salon | $5/pax (Each ticket comes with light refreshments to take home.)
Hear from this award-winning group Kelana Purba, the history of Dikir Barat, an intangible cultural heritage, and the unique role each performer plays. End the experience on a high, with Dikir Raya, a performance that is unique to Hari Raya.
Due to COVID measures, participants onsite are reminded not to interact or approach the performers during the course of the programme.
A Lighter Side of History: Documenting ‘A Reclusive Ramadan’
- Saturday, 22 May 2021 | 1pm |
- Gallery Theatre | $7/pax (Each ticket comes with a box of Hari Raya kueh to take home.)
2020 was an exceptional year for Muslims in Singapore as the country was in the middle of the Circuit Breaker which happened during Ramadan and Hari Raya.
Join us at the National Museum as Zakaria Zainal, one of the photographers that contributed to the Picturing the Pandemic exhibition, share interesting stories and challenges of photographing 2020’s ‘Reclusive Ramadan’.
Suitable for all participants age 13 and above. This programme is organised in conjunction of the museum’s ‘Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of Covid-19 in Singapore’ special exhibition.
Image Credit: National Museum of Singapore
Age
5+
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Address
Singapore93 Stamford Road Bras Basah, South Singapore 178897
How to get there?
By MRT:
Bras Basah MRT Station (5-minute walk)
Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station (5-minute walk)
City Hall MRT Station (10-minute walk)