2.00 – 6.00 pm

The POD, Level 16

National Library Building

100 Victoria Street

The book, Men in White: the untold story of Singapore’s ruling party, has created a sensation in the mass media since its release in September 2009. Written by three senior journalists from The Straits Times and commissioned and published by Singapore Press Holdings, Men in White was publicised extensively in the print and cyber media. The book became an immediate bestseller in Singapore and generated buzz not only locally but reportedly in Asia as well. The media blitz surrounding Men in White turned on its claim to offer an accessible and unbiased history of the ruling PAP government and of post-World War Two Singapore history in general. Yet, this claim quickly provoked challenges and invited critical scrutiny of its contents and research methodology from different quarters in the country. For several months following the book’s launch, history took centerstage in the nation’s mass media.

This seminar is the first public forum since the launch of the book to examine Men in White as a sensation generated from the intersection between history and the mass media. Discussion will revolve around the popularization of history by non-professional historians, the writing and consumption of history in the mass media, the internet and the democratization of history as well as the specific impact of the book on the state of Singapore writing and historiography.

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg, surf on to ‘SG 101’.

For more information, visit http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/events_categorydetails.asp?categoryid=6&eventid=1003

Organised By: Asia Research Institute

In Collaboration With: National Library Singapore

Visit http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg for more programmes and exhibitions.

10.00 am – 12.00 pm

The POD, Level 16

National Library Building

100 Victoria Street

Myths and legends lurk around the founding of Temasek, as Singapore was previously known. With archaeological evidences connecting a fraction of the island’s significant past as far back as the 13^th century, historians and archaeologists suggest the possibilities of Temasek once becoming a part of the Srivijayan and Majapahit empires respectively. Interestingly, Singapore’s geographical location and setting as an entrepot trade set the impetus to the murky myths and legends that surround it’s founding.

The programme is an attempt to approach the understanding of Singapore’s history by way of its myths and legends, thereby pushing the boundaries limit the discussions of Singapore’s legendary past. More importantly, how significant is the story of Temasek to the younger generation and do we still remember the story of Singapore being attacked by the swordfish?

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg and surf on to ‘SG101′.

Organised By: National Library Singapore

Visit http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg for more programmes and exhibitions.

3.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Imagination Room, Level 5

National Library Building

100 Victoria Street

Speaker: Dr Mahani Musa, Lee Kong Chian Research Fellow

Join Dr Mahani Musa (Lee Kong Chian Research Fellow) as she discusses the history of women’s myriad facets of war ranging from warriors, fighters and spies to women as wives, daughters, lovers and war-victims. In Malaya and Singapore, the 1989 signing of the Hat Yai Peace Accord between the Malaysian government and the Malayan Communist Party which ended the 40-year guerilla war for the first time brought to the surface the story of women involvement in underground and guerilla activities since the 1930s. While some of these women saw their participation fighting against alien dominations and as a “form of rebellion against feudalistic, patriarchal oppression the experienced as young women,” others joined because of poverty, some followed their husbands, lovers or relatives without understanding the communist ideology and struggles. While war might break down gender boundaries especially during pressing time as men and women had to fight for survival and victory, in reality, women hood was never totally separated from female guerillas. Thus, illicit love affairs, unwanted pregnancy, the sadness of being detached from motherhood as they were not allowed to raise children in the camps, and missing on the “outside world” which led many attempts to escape, were among the issues that had appeared within camp life in the jungle. This proved that women had their own “space” in war history.

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg and surf on to ‘Heritage’.

Visit http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg for more programmes and exhibitions.

时间           ： 下午3时至5时

地点           ： 维多利亚街100号，国家图书馆大厦16楼

主讲人       ： 杜青女士

主办单位    ： 国家图书馆（新加坡）

《胶林我们的母亲》是莫泽熙的不朽作曲,在50-60年代是文化团体必唱的歌曲,它感动了无数的青年。

这本《胶林我们的母亲》是音乐界用以缅怀莫泽熙的一本纪念册。它记录了莫先生自五十年代读中学开始，一直到七十年代初他离开华乐界的二十年激情日子的事迹。这本纪念册也收集了莫先生在那个时代高声呼喊发展健康音乐理想的论文，还有他在大学校园里所创作的多篇生活和学习感言。此外，莫先生对诗词与中国书法也很有研究，纪念册也选录了有关作品。这是首次发表的作品。它提供了对莫先生的音乐道路和人生哲学的研究不可缺少的资料。莫氏遗孀杜青女士将在会中为公众记述莫先生的一些真实生活纪事。同时,也将在会中展出莫先生一些生前珍藏的袖珍盆栽。

由于座位有限，凡要出席这个新书发布会的公众，请在网站http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg并点击“Chinese”报名;或者您也可在各图书馆的电子服务站(ekiosks)报名。名额有限，额满即止。