From 20 February to 14 March 2021, National Heritage Board will be holding a series of specially curated tours and programmes as part of the Battle for Singapore 2021 to remember the fall of Singapore in 1942.
Amongst the Battle for Singapore 2021 programmes are tours and online talks which have been organised together with the Museum Roundtable partners. In total, there are more than 40 tours and sessions being offered. Here are some of the highlights.
The Battle for Singapore 2021 Highlights: Tours and Other Programmes
Fort Siloso Rediscovery Tour
Participants in the Fort Siloso Rediscovery Tour for The Battle for Singapore 2021 will be able to explore Fort Siloso with history experts. The highlight of the Fort Siloso Rediscovery Tour will be visits to exclusive areas such as the Siloso Pier, coastal mine defense casement, and the Coastal Search Light stations.
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However, take note that this tour is only open to those who are 18 and above.
Dates: 20, 21, 27, 28 February, and 6, 7, 13, 14 March 2021
Time: 10 am to 12 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm
Read all about Fort Siloso here.
Mini Tour: Former Ford Factory – Singapore Discovery Centre
Go on two part tour of the Former Ford Factory and Singapore Discovery Centre to learn about the fall of Singapore, Japanese Occupation, and for a role of today’s Singapore Armed Forces. Children below 12 years old will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Date: 20, 28 February 2021
Time: 9.30 am to 12 pm; 2 pm to 4.30 pm
Mini Tour: Eurasian Heritage Gallery – National Gallery Singapore
Another two part tour, participants in this The Battle for Singapore 2021 programme will learn about the Eurasian community experience at the Eurasian Heritage Gallery and find out more about City Hall, formerly known as the Municipal Building.
Registration here.
Date: 21 February, 6 March 2021
Time: 9.30 am to 12 pm; 2 pm to 4.30 pm
Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown
Go on a walk through the heritage corridor from the Botanic Gardens to Bukit Brown cemetery. Listen to stories of WWII heroes and prominent personalities at heritage landmarks, including the Jacob Ballas Garden and old Raffles College. Participants will pass by the Former Command House along the route and end in Bukit Brown to learn about the battle that took place there with the British and Indian soldiers at the former kampung (village). Registration and more details here.
This is one of several tours centred around Bukit Brown that will be taking place during The Battle for Singapore 2021.
Date: 21 February 2021
Time: 8.30 am to 11.30 am
Lest We Forget Walking Tour
Join a tour led by the Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) Volunteer Guides to discover the symbolism in different memorial designs as well as the hidden stories behind them. The tour will start at the Civilian War Memorial and end at the Lim Bo Seng War Memorial.
Date: 27 February, 13 March 2021
Time: 5 pm to 6.30 pm
Interactive Storytelling: Timmy & Tammy Talking to Grandpa about the War
In this storytelling session based on the popular children’s book Timmy & Tammy Talking
to Grandpa about the War, children age 5 to 9 will learn about banana money and food ration cards that were used during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, and speak with Greatgrandma, who lived through World War II. Interested parties can register here.
Date: 13 March 2021
Time: 10.30 am to 11 am, 3.30 pm to 4 pm
Venue: National Museum of Singapore
Adventures in Architecture Tour @ National Gallery Singapore
Adventures in Architecture is a tour that encourages families with children between the ages of 5 to 8 to explore the rich history and architecture of the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, and to think about shapes we see in everyday life. Children will also be introduced to basic architectural terms and vocabulary. In conjunction with Battle for Singapore 2021, the tour will be highlighting the war-time significance of the building as well as architectural elements related to Singapore’s WWII history. Interested parties can register here.
Date: 14 March 2021
Time: 11 am to 12pm; 2 to 3pm
Venue: National Gallery Singapore
Registering for Battle for Singapore 2021 Programmes
Visit www.museums.com.sg for more information and to sign up for Battle for Singapore 2021 programmes. Registration starts from 16 February 2021, Tuesday, at 12 pm. Slots will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.