Latest news with #ProjectCitizens
The Star
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore at 60: A founders' memorial
ON the morning of Aug 9, 1965, Dileep Nair was with his family at his aunt's home, a day after her wedding. That day, at 10am, the proclamation of Singapore's independence was announced on the radio, bringing to an end a turbulent union with Malaysia, and resulting in the birth of a new nation. Later that day, Nair – then 15 – watched with his family as founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew broke down during a televised press conference where he addressed Singapore's separation from Malaysia. Nair, 75, said the telecast was paused for some time after Lee broke down. He said: 'It was a very significant thing at that point in time, but maybe the import was more on the older generations. (They wondered) whether job security was going to be there, whether there was going to be food on the table, and all these other matters... it was certainly something that will always be remembered by me all my life.' Stories like Nair's are being collected as part of a year-long Founders' Memorial initiative that focuses on Singapore's founding generation. The initiative, called Project Citizens – The First Million, which started in April, has three parts: a programme to engage seniors and collect their stories; pop-up installations; and an exhibition that will open in October. The stories that are being collected under Project Citizens may be showcased at the Founders' Memorial, an institution that commemorates the values and ideals exemplified by Singapore's first-generation leaders, slated to open in Gardens by the Bay's Bay East Garden in 2028. ALSO READ: The story of a separation Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who visited a pop-up installation at Woodlands Regional Library on June 18, said more than 200 seniors were engaged by Founders' Memorial volunteers from April to mid June under the senior engagement programme. These programmes have taken place in locations such as active ageing centres, libraries and community clubs. Each run of the programme comprises two two-hour sessions, where trained volunteers help participants to recount and record their stories through activities and intergenerational conversations. More than 140 volunteers have been trained by the memorial to run the programmes, with the goal to have more than 120 runs by the end of March 2026. Wai Chung Tai, senior assistant director of partnerships and engagement for the memorial, said that Project Citizens will be a permanent display at the memorial, although its exact form has yet to be decided. During the runs that have been held thus far, participants were invited to share stories on values they held on to during Singapore's early independence years, such as multiculturalism. Among the participants was Dennis Tan, 68, who was a primary school pupil when racial riots broke out in 1964. Tan, who was then living in a kampung in Balestier, recalled that the riots felt 'like a dark cloud hanging over you'. 'There were a lot of rumours... people talking and gossiping,' he said. 'Communications between neighbours were through word of mouth, so there were a lot of falsehoods. I didn't know what to believe and what to expect.' Nevertheless, said Tan, people of different ethnicities still helped each other despite the tensions, such as by housing others from different races when they were stranded after curfews kicked in at night. He said that stories like these emphasise 'the importance of harmony, unity and community spirit' for younger Singaporeans. ALSO READ: It still hurts Another participant in the senior programme, Juminah Mohamad Nor, said it was at parties as a student where she learnt to appreciate the differences between different religions, and the importance of respecting differences. She recalls attending a party in a Chinese household but not being able to eat, because she needed halal-certified food as a Muslim. Despite this, the 77-year-old said she and her friends enjoyed themselves because they learnt to respect each other and came to appreciate differences in habits between races. (From left) Nair, Juminah and Tan are among the seniors who have shared their stories with the Founders' Memorial. — The Straits Times/ANN In his speech, Neo said the exhibition to be launched in October will bring to life 'the dilemmas and tensions faced by our founding generation in forging one nation out of many people'. He said visitors will learn about how multiculturalism has been fostered by the Government and Singaporeans, and will be challenged to explore its relevance today. 'We are not mere spectators but active participants forging a culture of multiculturalism that is uniquely Singapore, where everyone can come together and celebrate our unity in diversity,' said Neo. — The Straits Times/ANN
CNA
18-06-2025
- General
- CNA
Singapore's first citizens: Over 200 seniors share their stories for Founders' Memorial project
More than 200 seniors have contributed their stories as part of Singapore's celebrations to mark 60 years of independence. Acting Culture, Community and Youth Minister David Neo said these stories provide valuable insights to present-day challenges. Project Citizens aims to capture the accounts of the million residents who became Singapore's first citizens. They will be featured at the Founders' Memorial, which will open at Bay East Garden in end-2028. More than 140 volunteers have been engaging in conversations with seniors across active ageing centres, libraries and grassroots organisations. Chloe Teo reports.
CNA
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Over 200 seniors contribute stories to Founders' Memorial project paying tribute to Singapore's first citizens
SINGAPORE: A Founders' Memorial project paying tribute to Singapore's first citizens has collected tales of the country's early years from over 200 seniors. They are being showcased in roving pop-up exhibitions – and will also feature in a special exhibition at the National Gallery from October – as part of an effort to capture the country's early nation-building years as Singapore turns 60. Launched in April this year, 'Project Citizens – The First Million' will run until March 2026, to commemorate Singapore's 60th year of independence. It is part of the Founders' Memorial's continued engagement with the public to shape its content ahead of its opening at Bay East Garden at the end of 2028. The new memorial will consist of an integrated gallery and gardens experience and is estimated to cost S$335 million (US$261 million) to develop. The ongoing campaign pays tribute to the founding generation by gathering stories exemplifying the values they held in the country's early years, according to the Founders' Memorial. Speaking at the Project Citizens pop-up at Woodlands Regional Library on Wednesday (Jun 18), Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo called SG60 'an opportunity to reflect on the values that brought us here and reaffirm our commitment to continue building an even better Singapore'. 'There is much to learn from our founding generation, in particular their values like resilience, hard work and determination,' he said. 'This is why we embarked on Project Citizens, to capture the stories of our founding generation. Stories that bring to life their values which have shaped Singapore, and their grit and determination to build a new nation.' He added that their stories offer insights into Singapore's early years, when questions of citizenship, economic survival and multicultural harmony hung in the balance. THE FOUNDING GENERATION In his speech, Mr Neo also highlighted the experiences of two Singaporeans who witnessed the country's early years. Mr Dileep Nair, 75, was attending his aunt's wedding in Singapore on the day that separation was announced. 'He recalls mixed feelings of pride and apprehension, as independence was thrust upon Singapore,' said Mr Neo. While many of his father's colleagues left Singapore for the United Kingdom, Mr Nair's parents chose to remain because of their friends and family here. Mr Nair had childhood friends from different races, and fondly recalls how his Chinese friends would welcome him into their homes for Chinese New Year reunion dinners. 'These deep friendships have remained to this day,' said Mr Neo. 'It is Mr Nair's strong conviction that multiculturalism goes beyond tolerance and pleasantries. It requires our active participation and genuine acceptance.' Another senior whom Mr Neo singled out was 78-year-old Mark Wong Kim Yong, who lived through the 1964 racial riots. 'He vividly recalls an encounter after school where he feared for his life, and he had to hide from rioters just to get home safely,' said Mr Neo. Mr Wong is currently an active volunteer in grassroots and community organisations, organising initiatives to bring communities together, such as buka puasa gatherings during Ramadan, said Mr Neo. THREE PARTS TO THE CAMPAIGN The year-long Project Citizens campaign comprises three parts: a senior engagement programme, pop-up exhibitions across the island and an exhibition titled 'Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore'. In the senior engagement programme, volunteers help seniors recount and record their stories through facilitated activities and intergenerational conversations. The programme has been ongoing at various locations across Singapore, in partnership with organisations like the Agency for Integrated Care, the People's Association, the National Library Board and corporate and community partners. From April this year to March next year, the Project Citizens pop-up will also be hosted at more than 20 locations, such as community hubs and libraries. Through vignettes, dioramas of early nation-building scenes and an interactive photo zone, visitors can experience the founding generation's citizenship journey, from breaking away as British subjects after World War II to finally becoming citizens of independent Singapore. The pop-up was launched at Tampines Regional Library and Clementi Public Library, and has since travelled to Woodlands Regional Library, Bedok Public Library and the National Family Festival held at the Singapore Expo. From October this year, the 'Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore' experience at the National Gallery will explore Singapore's multiculturalism. This includes taking a look at how multiculturalism came to be during the 1950s to 1970s, how it remains key to Singapore's unity and progress, and how Singaporeans can play an active role in shaping it. It will be the Founders' Memorial's second pilot to test the content and storytelling approach of its eventual galleries. 'We are not mere spectators, but active participants forging a culture of multiculturalism that is uniquely Singapore, where everyone can come together and we celebrate our unity in diversity,' said Mr Neo. Mr Lee Tzu Yang, co-chair of the Founders' Memorial Committee, said that the 'Project Citizens – The First Million' initiative continues the journey of 'honouring our founding generation and leaders as we reflect on their important contributions and sacrifices'. 'We hope their stories will inspire present and future generations to continue their footsteps and commit and contribute to Singapore's story,' he said. 'Through continued public engagement from day one, we are building a Memorial that reflects our shared experiences and aspirations, forging a shared identity as we bring Singapore forward.'
