Travel backwards in time and learn about Singapore’s war-time past at Battle for Singapore, an annual event organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB). Through more than 25 programmes and 70 tour runs spanning guided tours, theatrical experiences, talks, film screening and exhibitions, visitors will be able to step into the historical happenings that shaped our country to what it is today.
“We are delighted to be working again with our Museum Roundtable partners and partner agencies to present yet another edition of Battle for Singapore. Through our programme offerings, many of which are new, participants can appreciate the situation and context which residents of Singapore found themselves in more than 80 years ago, in novel and engaging ways,” says Mr Goh Chour Thong, director of International & Museum Relations at NHB.
One of the highlights of this year’s edition include the Cycling Buona Vista tour, led by historian Dr John Kwok and heritage researcher and writer Mr Lee Kok Leong. This tour will take participants down the Buona Vista defence line to learn more about the final battles for Singapore that erupted in the southwestern region spanning Pasir Panjang, Gillman Barracks, Alexandra Military Hospital and other military sites.
Another highlight features guided tours to the Cashin House at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park – a significant site that saw some of the first landings of the Japanese invasion on February 19, 1942. This site is only accessible through the National Parks Board’s curated programmes and activities.
Apart from these, there will also be a 110-minute theatrical experience titled No Question Of Surrender: Three Days Before the Fall, as well as an artist tour with Ho Tzu Nyen and Dr Ma Jung-Yeon revolving around artist Ho’s Hotel Aporia video installation at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), exploring historical backdrops in the 1940s.
For more information on Battle for Singapore, visit their webpage here. Register for their programmes here.