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Photos from our recent panel discussion titled “Singapore-Relevant Research or International Impact: A False Dilemma?” – featuring Associate Professor Ho Kong Chong (Dept of Sociology), Associate Professor Irene Ng (Dept of Social Work) and Professors Philip Holden and Lionel Wee (Dept of English Language and Literature). We were glad that Prof Wang Gungwu was able …
How can we reconcile Confucianism with democracy?Confucius, a teacher, editor, political advisor, and philosopher of China’s Spring and Autumn period, was born in 551 BC on the 27th day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar. While Singapore does not officially celebrate Confucius’ birthday, the country marks Teachers’ Day on the first Friday of …
Why Equality and Which Inequalities?: A Modern Confucian Approach to Democracy Read More »
Are public sculptures more than meets the eye? The Renaissance City Report was a plan unveiled on 9 March 2000 by the then-Ministry of Information and the Arts, under which the National Arts Council (NAC) was established in August 1991. The report aimed to promote the arts and culture scene in Singapore by envisioning it …
Art and Soul: Powerful and Powerless Art in Singapore Read More »
Swimming is a popular sport in Singapore. Many of us know that Singapore won its first Olympic gold medal in the swimming pool in August 2016. Moreover, Singapore is also home to many modern swimming facilities. One of them is the OCBC Aquatic Centre located within the Singapore Sports Hub. The OCBC Aquatic Centre is …
Sports is Politics: Swimming (and) Pools in Postcolonial Singapore Read More »
Do you remember the lyrics to “Count on me Singapore”? What about the National Day favourite – “Home”? Every year, a new National Day song is launched to commemorate 9 August, the day of the nation’s independence. Leading up to this date, radio and television stations broadcast the new National Day song while students learn …
Music and cultural politics: ideology and resistance in Singapore Read More »
Every 9th August, thousands across this island nation witness one of the most spectacular displays of national identity in the world. The National Day Parade (NDP) occurs on a date that pertains to Singapore’s own history, unlike most of the other public holidays celebrated by its citizens which originate from diverse cultural and religious identities. …
Consuming the Nation: National Day Parades in Singapore Read More »
How does Singapore’s unique food heritage intertwine with our memories of times past? The Singapore Food Festival, held annually from June to July for more than 20 years, features activities such as heritage trails, culinary workshops, and competitions to celebrate Singapore’s international reputation as a food nation. A/P Kelvin Low (Dept of Sociology) in his …
Tasting Memories, Cooking Heritage: A Sensuous Invitation to Remember Read More »
One of the perennial questions asked concerning Singapore politics is that of the present and future role of the opposition. It is a question of ever increasing importance as the Old Guard of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), so long known for its cautious – and some would say restrictive – approach to governance, …
Illiberal democracy and the future of opposition in Singapore Read More »
The history of Singapore Botanic Gardens is now a walk in the park thanks to Assoc. Prof. Timothy Barnard’s (Department of History, NUS) latest book, Nature’s Colony: Empire, Nation and Environment in the Singapore Botanic Gardens (2016). Salient events from Singapore’s colonial era leading to her independence in the 20th century are masterfully woven into …
Nature’s Colony: Empire, Nation and Environment in the Singapore Botanic Gardens Read More »
How did discourses of the economy shape the coping strategies pursued by the government and firms during the Asian Financial Crisis? Beginning in Thailand in July 1997 with the devaluation of the Thai baht, the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) rapidly swept across Southeast Asia and Japan to trigger the devaluation of Asian currencies and slumping …