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From 23 August to 7 September 2024, visit the National Library Building (NL Building) and National Archives of Singapore (NAS) to relive and reimagine our vibrant heritage with Re:Play AT SG, organised in collaboration with National Heritage Board’s annual Singapore Night Festival.
Themed “Art of Play”, Re:Play AT SG celebrates Singapore’s stories and the magic of childhood, play and creativity. The National Library Board (NLB) presents a series of performances, installations and curated programmes in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, inviting the public to immerse themselves in Singapore’s rich history while creating unforgettable memories. This reflects NLB’s LAB25 (Libraries & Archives Blueprint 2025) vision to bring more Singapore stories to life and to inspire more Singapore Storytellers.
For more information about the events, please visit: go.gov.sg/atsg2024.
| Key Highlights | ||
| Date | Venue | Programme Details |
| 23 Aug –7 Sep | Courtyard, National Design Centre | Opera in Motion: A Dynamic Tribute to Chinese Opera
This interactive installation features a tricycle stacked with tarpaulin-covered boxes, inviting visitors to interact with a zoetrope showcasing the movements of opera performers. Pedalling on the tricycle activates a mesmerising light projection of an illustrated Chinese opera scene on the centre’s walls. Ambient melodies and festive lighting complete the immersive experience. Opera in Motion blends tradition with modern innovation, offering a captivating journey through the world of Chinese opera. Opera in Motion was conceptualised by artists Ezekiel Wong, Hoo Jian Li, Lim Jia Ren and Ron Tu. This experience is also enriched by contributions (such as props) from The Chinese Opera Institute, a resource and training centre for Chinese opera whose mission is to promote, nurture and develop traditional Chinese opera in Singapore. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opera-in-motion-a-dynamic-tribute-to-chinese-opera-at-sg-2024-tickets-965700996677 |
| 24 Aug | Possibility Room, NL Building | Opera in Motion: Artist Talk Engage with the artists of Opera in Motion: A Dynamic Tribute to Chinese Opera, inspired by Chinese opera and the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. Ezekiel Wong, Hoo Jian Li, Lim Jia Ren and Ron Tu share their creative process behind their work. Join us for this fascinating journey into cultural storytelling through art. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opera-in-motion-artist-talk-at-sg-2024-tickets-965730986377 |
| 24 Aug | Plaza, NL Building | Dream in Peony Pavilion: Modern Opera Performance & Showcase
Step into the enchanting world of Dream in Peony Pavilion, a classical Chinese opera inspired by the famous novel《牡丹亭惊梦》. Presented in English, this performance brings together traditional Chinese opera music with Western compositions such as Skaters’ Waltz and Traumerei. Stay on for a show-and-tell session that delves into the makeup, costumes, movements and gestures of Chinese opera. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/dream-in-peony-pavilionmodern-opera-performance-showcase-at-sg-2024-tickets-970106904867 |
| 23 Aug –7 Sep | Atrium, NAS Building | Re:Play AT SG–Timeless Fun Through Childhood Games
Step back in time and enjoy Singapore’s traditional games! Relive your childhood memories with classic favourites such as pick-up sticks, five stones and goli (marbles). Perfect for families and friends, this interactive display promises fun, laughter and a celebration of our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/replay-at-sg-timeless-fun-through-childhood-games-at-sg-2024-tickets-972092574057 |
| 23 & 24 Aug | Plaza, NL Building | Library Party After Dark Join us for the Library Party After Dark at the National Library during the Singapore Night Festival 2024! Enjoy art performances and modular displays, discover the art of henna painting, or simply hang out at the Plaza and savour local snacks. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/library-party-after-dark-at-sg-2024-tickets-972158762027 |
| 24 Aug | Plaza, NL Building | Silent Disco: Do the Local-Motion! Dance to your own beat at NLB's Silent Disco! Grab a pair of headphones and cycle through a mix of live DJ channels till you find your vibe! In line with All Things Singapore, we are adding a special mix of our very own homegrown tunes. Bring your friends along and light up the dance party with us. Walk-ins are welcomed! For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silent-disco-do-the-local-motion-at-sg-2024-tickets-953027730597 |
| 23 Aug –7 Sep | Plaza (23 & 24 Aug) / L7 Promenade (25 Aug – 7 Sep), NL Building | Main-main Aje: Suatu Filem A video art installation, Main-main Aje (play-play only) features a dance film capturing meditative expressions fusing the spirit of freestyle dance and vestiges of enculturated movement forms. The dance artists featured in the dance film incorporate various traditional dance and movement forms, drawing from the coordinated movement of Dikir Barat choral groups, Inang, Silat and Maglalatik, which are melded with Hands Performance, Vogue Fem and Contemporary dance. Featured in the dance film are two texts, [tanda tangan] and [batu api], written by the artist-director, Shayus Sharif. Music by independent London-based Bass musician Akito and independent Singaporean R&B Singer-Performer Bent Li. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/main-main-aje-suatu-filem-at-sg-2024-tickets-972086094677 |
| Film Screenings | ||
| Date | Venue | Programme Details |
| 23 Aug | Imagination Room, NL Building | Film Screening: Banting (2014) Participants can catch a screening of local film Banting, Singapore's first commercial Malay film since the 1970s. This year marks a decade since Banting first graced the screen, and what better way to celebrate than with a public re-screening! For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/film-screening-banting-2014-at-sg-2024-tickets-935351590787 |
| 24 Aug | Oldham Theatre, NAS Building | P. Ramlee Movie Screening: Hang Tuah (1956) A special screening of P. Ramlee’s classic movie to relive Singapore’s Golden Age of Malay Cinema in the 1950s and 60s. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/p-ramlee-movie-screening-hang-tuah-1956-at-sg-2024-tickets-944079345737 |
| Performances | ||
| Date | Venue | Programme Details |
| 23 & 24 Aug | Exterior Stairway, NAS Building | Ramayana & Superheroes – A Wayang Kulit Interactive Performance
Encounter the epic tale of Ramayana like you’ve never experienced it before! Local legends like Sang Nila Utama and comic-inspired superheroes make an appearance in this modern adaptation by renowned performing arts company Sri Warisan. Then go behind the scenes after the performance to learn how to bring wayang kulit puppets to life from the talented puppeteers during an up-close-and-personal interactive segment. This programme is suitable for the whole family, especially children! For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/ramayana-superheroes-wayang-kulit-interactive-performance-at-sg-2024-tickets-955363928227 |
| 23 Aug | Plaza, NL Building | Games of Groove: Dance Performance This two-part performance brings an iconic and enduring street dance and youth culture to the fore – the Hip-Hop, Breaking and Krumping cultures that are alive and thriving in Singapore, featuring a live performance by Singaporean rapper, singer-songwriter Martin Spacely. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/games-of-groove-dance-performance-at-sg-2024-tickets-975974194087 |
| 23 Aug | Central Public Library (Meeting point: Magazine shelves) | SHIFT: A Site-Specific Dance Performance SHIFT is a site-specific dance performance connecting the essence of literary arts with the movement of performance art. Each run consists of 2 sets: Connection, and Prescence VS Progression. SHIFT is performed by STEP Studio, an award-winning dance company specialising in contemporary and street dance. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/shift-a-site-specific-dance-performance-at-sg-2024-registration-971743520027 |
| 23 Aug | Lobby, NL Building | Dunman High MEP Y6 Farewell Concert The Year 6 music students from Dunman High School will be performing works by Beethoven, Liszt, Kapustin, Albeniz, Carl Vine, amongst other composers in this concert. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/dunman-high-mep-y6-farewell-concert-at-sg-2024-tickets-975375894557 |
| 23 Aug | Plaza, NL Building | Jazz Meets Indian Classical: Performance by RaghaJazz Experience the unique fusion of Indian classical and jazz with RaghaJazz, featuring a trio of masterful musicians on flute, keyboard and Cajon. This performance blends the melodic beauty of the flute with the rich harmonies of the keyboard and the dynamic rhythms of the Cajon. Each piece is a journey through intricate ragas and spontaneous jazz improvisations, creating a mesmerising soundscape that bridges cultures and genres. For more information, please visit: |
| 24 Aug | L8 Reading Room, NL Building | Word Play: A Spoken Word Poetry Competition In a second edition of a special collaboration with Outspoken, formed up by a group of local poets, NLB is hosting an exciting evening of competitive spoken-word poetry. Join to watch six poets battle it out in three rounds of prepared and improvised poetry performances based on a play on words. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/word-play-a-spoken-word-poetry-competition-at-sg-2024-tickets-956796713727 |
| 24 Aug | Programme Room 1, Central Public Library | Library Night Live! An Improvised Evening Gather around for an open session of live improvisational theatre, with live human beings, who will take your live (or life) suggestions and turn them into short skits and stories for your amusement and bemusement. Come as you are—get ready to live, laugh, lol! For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/library-night-live-an-improvised-evening-at-sg-2024-registration-971744984407 |
| Talks, Workshops and Tours | ||
| Date | Venue | Programme Details |
| 23 Aug | Oldham Theatre, NAS Building | Early Toys & Traditional Folk Games in Singapore Chang Yang Fa, founder of the MINT Museum of Toys, will share insights about some of the earliest toys and games made and played in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, through NAS’ resources and collectables from MINT Museum’s vintage collection. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/early-toys-traditional-folk-games-in-singapore-at-sg-2024-tickets-944073658727 |
| 23 Aug | Programme Room 1, Central Public Library | Once Upon An Island – Documenting Life in Developing Singapore 1950-1990 Asmara Rabier is a curator, cultural consultant and granddaughter of the late Dr Ivan Polunin, a British doctor, photographer and documentary filmmaker. Besides talking about the recently published “Once Upon an Island”, of which Asmara was co-author and editor, the session will also feature Polunin’s original colour photos, rare film footage from Singapore’s postwar years, and a film clip presented by Polunin himself. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/once-upon-an-island-documenting-life-in-singapore-1950-1990-at-sg-2024-tickets-967159769907 |
| 23 & 24 Aug | Central Public Library | One Paper Story: A Zine-Making Pop-Up Welcome to the wonderful world of zine making! Whether you're a seasoned artist or a complete beginner, creating a zine is a fantastic way to share your stories, ideas, and art. Creating a one-paper zine is an easy and fun way to express yourself. Whether you're telling a personal story or sharing your latest obsession, the possibilities are endless. So grab a piece of paper and start zine making today! For more information, please visit: |
| 24 & 31 Aug | Singapore Alcove Zone, Central Public Library | Lepak Landscapes & Book Havens of Bras Basah: Curator’s Tour Hear from the curator on insights and stories behind two showcases located at the Central Public Library: · Lepak Landscapes: Life and Leisure in Singapore An interactive exhibition exploring iconic leisure spaces and re-imagining the 'lepak' lifestyle of Singapore. · Book Havens of Bras Basah: Curiocity An immersive projection with Augmented Reality that showcases the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct’s rich history. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/lepak-landscapes-book-havens-of-bras-basah-curators-tour-at-sg-2024-tickets-935451740337 |
| 31 Aug | L5 Possibility Room, NL Building | Pose & Waack Only!: A Public Dance Workshop Join Amin Alifin a.k.a Amin Sir Waackalot and Fellix Utama a.k.a Lil Prince as they impart some slick poses, dynamic arm twirls and the larger-than-life attitude of Waacking and Old Way Vogue that would have you taking centre stage on a dance floor! Delivered at a pace that is suited for everybody and all bodies, this workshop celebrates the joy and expressiveness of House and Disco music. Come dressed in an outfit that makes you feel like a diva or one that makes you feel comfortable – either way, this is a no judgement zone that embraces all – you do not need any dance background for this workshop! For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/pose-waack-only-a-public-dance-workshop-at-sg-2024-tickets-976013772467 |
| 7 Sep | Archives Reading Room, NAS Building | Discover the Superhero in You – Creative Writing and Comic-Making with Melanie Lee Discover the superhero in you! Join us for a superpowered comic-making session with Melanie Lee, author of the captivating comic series Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma. Unleash your imagination as you create your very own superhero inspired by the vibrant city of Singapore, then bring them to life in your own comic strip filled with action-packed scenes and heartwarming moments. This workshop is suitable for children aged 10 to 12 years old. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/discover-the-superhero-in-you-comic-making-with-melanie-lee-at-sg-2024-tickets-955410888687 |
| Live Mural Painting at NAS | ||
| Date | Venue | Programme Details |
| 30 & 31 Aug | Exterior Stairway, NAS Building | Canvas & Community: Mural Art Live
Pop by the National Archives to experience the magic of art in real time. Watch local artist Mindflyer (Michael Ng) as he transforms a blank canvas into a vibrant masterpiece depicting nostalgic fun and play in Singapore. Soak in the creative atmosphere and be part of a celebration of art and culture! After the live painting session, the mural will be on display at the NAS Archives Reading Room until 7 September 2024. For more information, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/canvas-community-mural-art-live-at-sg-2024-tickets-976043120247 |
| 6 Sep | Oldham Theatre, NAS Building | Canvas & Community: Artist Talk Hear from artist Mindflyer (Michael Ng) as he shares more on the narrative and creative process behind the live mural artwork created at the National Archives of Singapore, celebrating the spirit of fun and play in the precinct. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/canvas-community-artist-talk-at-sg-2024-tickets-976044464267 |
About National Library Board
The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. NLB also forges strategic partnerships that encourage awareness, appreciation and greater discovery of Singapore's history through its rich collections on Singapore and the region.
NLB achieves excellence through innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and co-creation, resource and digital innovation. This creates learning opportunities, greater access to library resources, services, and archival collections, as well as a continual development of innovative library spaces. Established on 1 September 1995 as a statutory board, NLB is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Information(MDDI).
For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’sFacebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.
