Singapore Memory Project

 

In 2015 Singapore celebrates a half century of independence from Malaysia. To celebrate the National Library Board of Singapore has decided to create "The Singapore Memory Project". This project enables Singaporeans or visitors of Singapore to recall their memories of the current Singapore or of the Singapore of past.
The project plans is to record over 5 million memories of Singapore by 2015.

Memories can be of food, buildings, neighbourhoods, fun times with family and friends or the Singapore way of life. These memories can be in form of photos, articles, blogs or a few sentences. By recording these memories Singapore's history will always be accessible to people online. Our blog was chosen by the Singapore National Library to be included in the memory project.

Happy 48th Birthday Singapore

Today is National Day in Singapore in which it is 48 years since Singapore became independent from Malaysia and today is a public holiday to celebrate. After twelve weeks of rehearsals the National Day Parade is on tonight on the floating platform on Marina Bay.
This year’s theme for the National Day Parade (NDP) is “Many Stories… One Singapore”. It reminds people to remember and share the stories that make people identify themselves as Singaporeans and also tells the story of the country that despite many backgrounds comes together as one Singapore.
Each year a National Day song is released before the event and is played on television, radio and in shopping centres. This years song has lead to many debates as some people feel the song is childish and is hard to sing.
The parade will include the National Anthem being sung by the crowd and also the reciting of the pledge of Singapore.
When Singapore gained full independence in 1965, Majulah Singapura was formally adopted as Singapore's National anthem. The anthem is required by law to be sung with its original Malay lyrics.

The National pledge is :

We, the citizens of Singapore, 

pledge ourselves as one united people,

regardless of race, language or religion, 

to build a democratic society based on justice and 

equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity 

and progress for our nation.

                                                                           This year's theme song

                                      
                                                                  

                                                           The National Anthem of Singapore

                

A busy time in Singapore

Today is the start of a four day weekend for many Singaporeans as today is Hari Rayi Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa and tomorrow is National Day. Many people have taken the advantage of the the extra long weekend and taken flights out of Singapore and the coaches to Malaysia have been booked out for weeks.
Hari Rayi Aidilfitri is the end of Ramadan and marks the end of a month of dawn to dusk fasting. This year because the holiday falls the day before National Day many shops have the traditional Hari Rayi green and yellow decorations as well as the red and white decorations for National Day.

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

Decorations for Hari Rayi Aidilfitri in Geylang Serai

A different reason why smoke is in the air

Today is the start of the Hungry Ghost festival in Singapore. This festival will continue to the 4th September. Many Singaporeans have started to burn replica paper money, joss paper and incense sticks creating a smokey atmosphere. The money is burnt to enable the ghosts to live comfortably in the afterlife. People are also offering food to the hungry ghosts that are roaming the land looking for food as the "Gates of Hell" are open during this time.

Offerings in the street

Offerings in the street

This offering included coffee and milk drinks

Paper money and joss paper

Paper money burning outside a private residence

Paper money being burnt outside a shopping centre

Just one of the many bins for burning

Gardens by the Bay celebrates

To celebrate Singapore's 48th birthday this Friday,  Gardens by the Bay has created a stunning display featuring the colours of the Singapore's flag in the Flowerdome. The display consists of red and white roses , orchids, begonias and kalanchoes. Also in the display is the formation of the five stars that are on the Singapore flag as well as informational signs with facts about Singapore.