Essays and Opinions
An 800-Year-Old Family History
Thanks to his ancestry book (zupu) and a lot of persistence, a practising Taoist priest was able to trace his ancestry all the way back to 1195.
People
How Tay Seow Huah Became the First Spy Chief of Singapore
In a BiblioAsia+ podcast episode, Simon talks about this father, the founding Director of the Security and Intelligence Division.
More Places and Buildings
A Mansion in Serangoon: Whampoa House-Bendemeer
In the 19th century, Whampoa’s legendary home was a nexus of wealth, power and extravagant entertainment.
People
The Life and Times of Giovanni Gaggino
The remarkable story of an Italian merchant who once owned Pulau Bukom and authored an Italian-Malay dictionary in colonial Singapore.
People
Dutch Burghers in British Malaya
A murder mystery sheds light on the little-known story of the Ceylonese pioneers from the Dutch Burgher community in British Malaya.
podcast
The Making of "Majulah Singapura" as We Know It
Emeritus Professor Bernard Tan plays the different versions of "Majulah Singapura" on his piano.
Inspired by History
How a 500-Year-Old Map Became Fashion
When Singapore designer Afton Chen chanced upon the Mao Kun Map, she decided to embark on a new fashion collection.
Inspired by History
Crafting Stories from History
From research to reimagination, the library and archives have shaped Felix Cheong’s creative processes.
Film and Photography
A Peek at the Audio-Visual Archives
The National Archives of Singapore has been safeguarding Singapore’s rich audiovisual legacy for the last 30 years.
Podcast
First Spy Chief of Independent Singapore
Legal academic Simon Tay tells us about how his Penang-born father came to play a giant role serving a newly independent Singapore.
Women
Hedwig Anuar: First Lady of the National Library
Hedwig Anuar was not only known for being the director of the National Library, she was also an activist and advocate for women’s rights.
People
Kung Tian Cheng, First Clerk of Raffles Library
In the late 19th century, Kung Tian Cheng helped compile a complete catalogue of the Raffles Library, before going to China to work for President Yuan Shikai.
Podcast
Hawker Culture in Singapore
Researcher Ryan Kueh explains why hawkers in Singapore sell their food in fixed stalls in hawker centres, rather than on streets, like in other countries.
Local Icons
A Short History of the National Library
The National Library Singapore began life in 1837 with a modest collection of 392 publications belonging to the Singapore Free School.
Places and Buildings
Pages of Progress: The Toa Payoh Public Library
Over the last five decades, the library has developed to keep pace with the changing needs of the residents of Toa Payoh.
History
In Search of Silvestr
Sparked by a box of old family documents, Jan Beránek embarked on an eight-year quest that brought him from a small Czech village to modern Singapore.
Podcast
The Trip That Led to the 1953 Landmark Art Exhibition
Gretchen Liu, the daughter-in-law of Liu Kang, tells us about the mysterious Bali trip undertaken by four Singapore pioneering artists in 1952.
Culture
Historical Photos of Chin Woo’s Golden Lions
The Singapore Chin Woo (Athletic) Association’s lion dance troupe opens their archives for a peek into the rich history of their Golden Lions.
Adventure and Travel
The Construction of Bali’s Mystique
In 1953, four artists held an art exhibition arising from their travels to Bali in 1952. Their trip was inspired by an image of the island as an untouched Eden.
Photography
Forgotten Photographs of the 1952 Trip to Bali
A treasure trove of negatives sheds new light on a trip that led to an exhibition now regarded as a milestone in the history of Singapore art.
Culture
Rites of Rehabilitation: The Social Work of the Zhenkongjiao
With its sometime unconventional treatments, the Zhenkongjiao worked together with local authorities to remove the scourge of opium addiction in Singapore.
Art
The Liu Kang Collection: A Portrait of an Artist
The Liu Kang Collection at the National Library Singapore looks at the creative process of one of Singapore’s most celebrated artists.
Places and Buildings
Karikal Mahal: Stories Reimagined and Retold
History, research and compelling storytelling come together to bring the story of Karikal Mahal to life.
People
Uncovering the Origins of Badang the Strongman
Relics of Badang the Strongman can be found throughout the region. But who was this enigmatic figure?
Podcast
What Makes An Animal Singaporean?
Environmental historian Timothy Barnard tells us what makes migrant animals, like otters and Aedes mosquitoes, Singaporean.
Governance
The Nominated Member of Parliament Scheme
The NMP Scheme was set up to present more opportunities for Singaporeans to participate in politics.
BiblioAsia Reels
Thai Buddhist Temple Wat Ananda
At Singapore's oldest Thai Buddhist temple, you'll discover elements that would not normally be found in a Buddhist temple in Thailand.
People
The Calligraphy of Ustaz Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Attas
The master calligrapher’s artworks not only adorn physical spaces but are also found in Malay print publications.
Podcast
A Tour of 60 Asian Port Cities
Ex–ACM director Kennie Ting tells us how port cities can reveal a different history of Asia, and what his "eat, pray, love" cities are.
People
John Sturgus Bastin: A Memoir
The late Dr John Bastin was the leading authority on Stamford Raffles, having published more than 20 books and many essays on Raffles.
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.
Nature and the Environment
The Transoceanic Pollination of the Double Coconut
In 2011, pollen from coco-de-mer trees in Singapore successfully fertilised female plants in Hawaii.
