Since its first print back on 15 July 1845, Straits Times has been feeding Singaporeans with breaking front-page news daily. This year marks its 170th anniversary, and in combination with the highly celebrated Golden Jubilee year, they have joined hands with the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands to unveil the most uniquely Singapore exhibition.
Titled Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow, it will open from 17 July till 4 October 2015 at 10AM to 07PM daily. There, visitors will be treated to hundreds of front-page stories, headlines and photographs capturing the pivotal moments that made Singapore the country we know today. It will feature six galleries telling of Singapore’s robust trade in the mid-1800s, the first post-war edition announcing our liberation from the Japanese occupation and the push towards a sustainable future in the new millennium.
As we move through the years, we actually get to see the changes the newspaper went through decade by decades – from fixed small columns to the inclusion of photographs.
Every historical moment will be presented. While our grandparents and parents had the privilege of watching Lee Kuan Yew announce our separation from the Malaysian Solidarity Convention, people my age would only heard of it or seen excerpts of that pivotal moment in history books – but, no longer. That moment has been cemented in a photo by Low Yew Kong during the press conference on 10 August 1965, where our then prime minister proclaimed our independence.
They will also include more recent events of Singapore’s efforts overseas. Terence Tan captured a heart-warming photograph of SAF Staff Sergent Muhammad Azam Aziz giving simple English lessons to refuges after the devastating tsunami in 2005.
It will be more than just a trip down memory lane. It looks back on how far our little red dot has come – through all the struggles and triumphs – as well as looking towards how things will unfold in the future. The public-generated content #BuildSG2065 showcasing in the Forum gallery will highlight 50 ideas on Singapore’s future buildings, homes and green spaces selected from the contest held by The Straits Times and CapitaLand.
In the backdrop of an evolving skyline and cityscape, it has become difficult for the younger generation to connect with the country’s past. This exhibition may be chance for young and old to reconnect and truly understand truly about this place we call home!
Singapore STories will open on the 17 July till 4 October 2015 at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands at 10AM to 7PM daily.
