My Weekday Calendar

Posted by jing under Exhibitions, Heritage Sites and Trails, Museums/Heritage Galleries, National History, News
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We have heard and seen the entire buzz about International Museum Day (IMD’09), and we know that there are just plenty of activities that will be held on weekends that will just be plain crowded. Oh, I shudder at the thought of having to push my way through crowds. Aren’t there any museums with activities where I can go to on weekdays instead? Well, don’t fear! Museum activities have been planned for everyone on weekends and on weekdays! If you would like to avoid the weekend crowd, catch the exhibitions and activities at these museums during the weekdays. Not sure how to fit the museums and activities into your calendar? Well then, take a look at my calendar from Monday to Friday during the week! And I wouldn’t mind if you follow my itinerary to the dot!

Monday

Since my mother was only born the year Singapore gained independence, I missed the World War II by way too many years. Which is a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but so much of our history is about the Japanese occupying Singapore for 3 years and 8 months. Of course, if I were present at that time to witness the atrocities, well, I probably wouldn’t be around right now. Still, I would love to witness what my grandparents saw and heard when they were mere children scampering about to run away from the Japanese soldiers. Where better to experience the feeling of helplessness as the British left us to fend for ourselves and surrendered us to the Japanese but The Battle Box? Well, from 25 - 29 May, anytime between 10am and 6pm, enjoy a discounted entry to one of the most important World War II sites in Singapore; a massive military bunker located some nine metres below ground in Fort Canning Park. Step back in time and return to the morning of 15 February 1942, when General Arthur Percival made the decision to surrender Singapore to the invading Japanese forces.

And since I have not gotten enough of my experience of the World War II in Singapore back in 1942-1945, I can take a trip down to The Changi Museum to see if what I know about the war from our history textbooks and what I have learnt from The Battle Box earlier can enable me to ace The Great Changi Challenge quiz, and win special prizes! Besides a test on existing knowledge, I can also gain an authentic insight into what life must have been for Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and civilian internees during World War II with the audio-guide given out to visitors!

Tuesday

Only on the 25^th, 26^th and 29^th May at 11.30am will I get to join the Singapore Storeys Guided Tour at the Singapore City Gallery, where we can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Singapore’s city centre. Behind every building that pushes up into our skyline, there is a “storey” of inspired dreams, thoughtful planning, careful execution and lessons for the future. I have already emailed ura_gallery@ura.gov.sg to book a spot for the guided tour. Have you? If not, do remember to do so by 23 May, and do it fast as there is limited availability. Do remember to bring along your confirmation email on the day of your guided tour!

What’s more interesting is that our famous contractor in Singapore, Phua Chu Kang, and his family - Rosie, Chu Beng and Margaret - will be at the Singapore City Gallery , where they would embark on a journey around Singapore to search for a lost photo dear to Ah Ma. Join them in Where My Heart Is: A PCK Special from 25-30 May, 10am, 12 noon, 1pm or 3pm, as they encounter landmarks in Singapore that you may find familiar and special while searching for that photo!

Wednesday

Marina Barrage has been all the rage in newspapers a while back, but have you taken the opportunity to go down and take a look? If not, why not visit Singapore’s first reservoir in the city? Show your family and friends Singapore’s newest source of water supply, flood control and enjoy a host of recreational possibilities in the Sustainable Singapore Galley with multimedia displays, exhibits and games!

And if you would like to see more of Singapore’s ingenious innovations to create our own water supply, visit the NEWater Visitor Centre Tour and discover what NEWater is, where it comes from and how it contributes to our water story in the 75-minute NEWater guided tour, where we get to walk on NEWater without getting wet and enjoy fun-filled activities and multimedia presentations.

Thursday

Thursday reminds me of movies. It should be a common knowledge that new movies are always released onscreen on Thursdays. Movie-goers would probably know that the movie Angels and Demons recently went onscreen in cinemas. Are you reminded of its sequel, blockbuster The Da Vinci Code shown onscreen much earlier? If you are reminded of Da Vinci and would like to refresh your memory a little - catch Leonardo Da Vinci’s incredible art pieces shown in the movie (especially everyone’s favourite artwork Mona Lisa), and his other scientific innovations at the Singapore Science Centre. Interested in getting a firsthand view of the Da Vinci: The Genius Exhibition that has garnered many favourable reviews from visitors? Well, go down to the Singapore Science Centre any day from 23 - 31 May, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am - 6pm. This is a good chance to introduce your children to some of the most renowned artworks by Leonardo Da Vinci and even learn about the secrets behind Mona Lisa!

Friday

It’s the end of the week and the start of school holidays for school children!!! Wouldn’t it be great if we could take off for an island and enjoy ourselves away from the mainland? That’s what Sentosa is for! But Sentosa is not just about the beaches. Visit Fort Siloso to learn more than what you think you already know. For instance, while I knew that Fort Siloso is a coastal artillery battery and the sole restored battery out of the twelve coastal batteries which made up ‘Fortress Singapore’ at the start of World War Two, and that Fort Siloso, as were other forts, was bombed by the Japanese during their attack into Singapore, I never knew that Fort Siloso became a Prisoner of War Camp following the British Surrender. Civilians were also imprisoned at the Fort. Explore Fort Siloso for more than what our history textbooks can offer us! Guided tours are also available for free at Fort Siloso at 11am and 4pm daily.

This event is part of the International Museum Day 2009 (IMD’09) which happens from 23 to 31 May 2009. For more information and updates on IMD’09, please visit www.museums.com.sg/imd09 or call 6346 6438. (Daily: 9am - 7pm)

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