War and Military
All Smoke? Opium Propaganda in the Syonan Shimbun
Imperial Japan justified its occupation of Singapore with opium propaganda and prohibition promises.
Podcast
He Wrote the National Pledge
Irene Ng, the authorised biographer of S. Rajaratnam, tells us the legacy of Singapore’s first foreign minister, and his relationship with Lee Kuan Yew.
People
W. Somerset Maugham: Secrets from the Outstations
Somerset Maugham’s visits to Singapore in the 1920s inspired some of his greatest stories, but these also triggered a fierce backlash against him.
BiblioAsia Reels
Pioneering Journalist R.B. Ooi
Malayan journalist R.B. Ooi (1905–72) worked for newspapers like the Straits Echo and the Malayan Times. Irene Lim, 96, shares her memories of her father.
More places and buildings
Eu Tong Sen’s “Pearl Under the Burning Tropical Sun”
The grandeur and opulence of Eu Villa on Mount Sophia was unrivalled in its heyday.
More Places and Buildings
Remembering the Hawkins Road Refugee Camp
A temporary home for Vietnamese refugees, the Hawkins Road camp received thousands of “boat people” over nearly two decades.
Film and Photography
The Awakening of the Modern Television Era
People weren’t particularly interested in upgrading their black-and-white TVs to colour TVs. Then came the World Cup.
People
S. Rajaratnam: The Lion’s Roar
In S. Rajaratnam’s biography, The Lion’s Roar, Irene Ng explains how the journalist-turned-politician was a critical figure in Singapore’s early years.
People
The Search for a “Lost” Towkay of Malaya
A man looks at his grandfather with new eyes after a mysterious envelope is found in an old workman’s outfit that was about to be thrown away.
Local Icons
The Early Years of the Singapore Zoo
The zoo was able to overcome major setbacks in its formative years to become the well-loved tourist attraction it is today.
Sports
30 Years of the Great Singapore Workout
Launched in 1993, the Great Singapore Workout helped spread the message that being physically active was important.
Podcast
Seaside Foraging and Eurasian Cuisine
MasterChef Singapore judge Damian D’Silva talks about the influences in his cooking philosophy and the importance of heritage cuisine.
Podcast
Food of the Peranakan Indians
Tanya Pillay-Nair talks about ancestor worship in the Chetti Melaka culture, when the community serve the dishes that the ancestors enjoyed the most.
Podcast
The Chinese Vegetarian Foodscape of the 1950s–60s
Set up by five Buddhist women in 1946, Loke Woh Yuen was the first Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Singapore.
Worship
At Wat Ananda, Thai Buddhism with a Singaporean Twist
Despite the golden stupa and ornate roofs that indicate this is a Thai Buddhist temple, the Singaporean influences are not hard to spot at Wat Ananda Metyarama.
Podcast
Hajah Asfiah: A Guardian of Traditional Malay Culture
A tireless steward of Malay culture, Hajah Asfiah worked all her life to preserve and pass on Malay crafts.
Collection Highlights
The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Collection
Materials donated by the association shed light on its contributions to the nation's social and cultural landscape.
Podcast
Kampong Gelam: Kitchen of the Malay World
Here you find different curries and bread, nasi padang, sup tulang, mee siam, a Javanese kitchen, Hainanese coffeeshops and more.
Video: From Book to Cook
Kueh Pie Tee or Kwei Patti
What’s in a name? Food writer and cooking instructor Christopher Tan delves into the origins of this tasty Peranakan snack.
WAR and Military
The Other Men Who Surrendered Singapore
Eleven other men had taken the decision with Arthur E. Percival to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942
History
It’s a Cat’s Life: Airborne Felines Fight War Against Rats
In 1960, 23 unsuspecting cats found themselves being airdropped into Bario, Sarawak, as part of a rat-busting operation.
History
A Cool Business: The History of Ice-Making in Singapore
Ice has been an indispensable commodity in tropical Singapore since the late 19th century.
Art
Memory, History, Art: Yip Yew Chong’s “I Paint my Singapore”
Yip Yew Chong’s 60-metre-long work, “I Paint my Singapore”, melds memories and research to produce stories about Singapore.
Collection Highlights
The Trishaws and Tricycles of Singapore By Liesel Strauss
These photos by Liesel Strauss spotlight the humble trishaw and cargo tricycle and remind of us of how Singapore used to be not too long ago.
People
Pioneering Local Journalist R.B. Ooi
As a journalist, R.B. Ooi always had his finger on the pulse of Malaya, bringing to the fore issues at the heart of the nation.
people
Joseph Conrad's Singapore
Joseph Conrad’s visits to Singapore in the late 19th century are immortalised in some of his novels, such as Lord Jim and The Shadow-Line.
biblioasia reels
Kranji War Memorial: Lest We Forget
Unveiled on 2 March 1957, the Kranji War Memorial honours the men and women who gave up their lives defending Singapore during the Second World War.
Nature and the Environment
Growing Food in a Garden City
Urban edible gardening in Singapore might be all the rage now, but the movement has roots that date back to the early 20th century.
Photography
Photo Studios and Photography During the Japanese Occupation
During the Japanese Occupation, local photographers worked under challenging conditions.
BiblioAsia Reels
Singapore’s Early Publications
Printing in Singapore dates back about 200 years when Christian missionaries established a printing press here to spread the gospel.
Music
American Troops. Singapore Bands. The Vietnam War
Lured by the prospects of money and adventure, local performers braved the dangers of the Vietnam War to provide entertainment to American troops.
Sports
Conquering Everest, the World’s Tallest Mountain
David Lim led the first Singapore team to successfully summit Mount Everest in 1998. This is an excerpt from his book, Mountain to Climb.
BiblioAsia Reels
The Modernist Home of Pioneer Architect Lee Kip Lin
The family home of architect Lee Kip Lin has stood the test of time with its simple and yet modern design. His wife, Mrs Lee Li-ming, shares her insights.
Music
Singapore's Got Talent: When Talentime Ruled the Airwaves
Although Talentime has been replaced by reality talent contests, it will be remembered as a show that launched the musical careers of many Singaporeans.
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BiblioAsia Reels
Operation Jaywick Retold as a Comic Book for Boys
Disguised as local fishermen, Australian and British commandos launched a clandestine raid on Japanese ships in Singapore’s Keppel Harbour.
Sports
The 1973 SEAP Games in Singapore
The 7th SEAP Games marked the first time that Singapore hosted an international sporting event since gaining independence in 1965.
BiblioAsia Reels
The Frying Pan Piano
A world-renowned pianist described this concert grand of the Victoria Memorial Hall as a "cooking pot and a frying pan". How did it have such a reputation?
Film and Photography
Restoring Classic Films from Asia
Besides restoring made-in-Singapore films, the Asian Film Archive is also involved in the preservation of other seminal Asian works.
BiblioAsia Reels
Interview with Rachel Heng, Author of The Great Reclamation
What does it take to write an internationally acclaimed historical novel set in Singapore?
podcast
What’s Become of the Seafaring Orang Seletar?
The Orang Seletar used to live on boats that plied the Johor Strait. They were here when Raffles landed in 1819.
Archaeology
Revisiting the Mystery of the Missing Gold Coins
Two ancient gold coins, probably from Aceh, were discovered in Singapore in the middle of the 19th century. Unfortunately, they disappeared a few decades later.
podcast
Lest We Forget: Kranji War Cemetery
Librarian Janice Loo profiles those buried or memorialised at the Kranji War Cemetery, such as Lt Adnan of the Malay Regiment and civilian fighter Sim Chin Foo.
Nature and the Environment
The Famous Whale Skeleton at the Raffles Museum
A blue whale skeleton took centre stage at the former Raffles Museum for more than 60 years before it was gifted to the National Museum of Malaysia in 1974.
Arts
A Grand Piano's Chequered History
A grand piano that was to be the pride of Singapore failed to silence its critics. The odds, however, were always against it.
Literature
Panton Malaijoe dan Portugees: A Rediscovered Manuscript
A forgotten manuscript found in a Portuguese museum offers insights into the languages and traditions of a unique community in the Dutch East Indies.
Food
Going Against the Grain: The “Eat More Wheat” Campaign
The call for Singaporeans to switch from eating rice to eating wheat in 1967 did not take root despite best efforts by the government.
Podcast
Stone Tools in Singapore
Stone tools have been found in and around Singapore since the late 19th century, but much about them remains a mystery.
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podcast
The Forgotten Murals of Paya Lebar Airport
Three large murals used to grace the walls of Paya Lebar Airport, depicting scenes from Singapore and Malaysia. Only one is left.
podcast
Taoist Folk Goddesses of Singapore
Award-winning writer Ng Yi-Sheng tells us about the legends and worship of local goddesses Maiden Lin, Maiden Lei and Maiden Huang.
Places and Buildings
Bridging Past and Present in Pasir Ris
Once dotted with plantations and mangrove swamps, Pasir Ris is today a bustling residential town with modern facilities and amenities.
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Architecture
Golden Mile Complex: Five Decades of an Architectural Icon
The collective sale and conservation of Golden Mile Complex will restore a visionary building designed for a “new look Singapore” 50 years ago.
Culture
Muhammad Ariff Ahmad’s Hari Raya Puasa Greeting Cards
Unique greeting cards collected by a giant in the Malay literary scene. (From the National Library’s Blog on Medium).
