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MEDIA RELEASE

Embargoed till 3 August, 11am

MARKING 50 YEARS OF SINGAPORE’S INDEPENDENCE WITH A LOOK BACK IN TIME

Exhibition at Asian Civilisations Museum to showcase 50 objects from a time capsule buried in

1990

SINGAPORE, 3 August 2015 – Singapore has made tremendous progress since gaining

independence 50 years ago. But what was life like in the early days of being an independent

nation? In celebration of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)

presents an exhibition showcasing objects from a time capsule buried 25 years ago, which will

take Singaporeans back in time to witness how the nation has progressed over the decades. From

the signboard of the first NTUC FairPrice supermarket and an old model of a Motorola mobile

phone, to a 1978 education report, and a booklet on the opening of the Singapore Zoo, Unearthed:

Singapore at 25, displays 50 objects that carry with them familiar stories of our past.

2. In December 2014, the National Heritage Board (NHB) and ACM unearthed a time capsule

that was sealed and buried at Empress Place during Singapore’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in

1990. Known as the “Singapore 2015 Time Capsule”, its aim was to capture key national

accomplishments from 1965 to 1990 through items that represent development in Singapore’s

economic and political fields, as well as progress in education, defence, security, and

infrastructure. Displaying a selection of objects from the “Singapore 2015 Time Capsule”, the

Unearthed: Singapore at 25 exhibition at ACM was launched by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for

Education and Chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee, on 3 August 2015.

3. Mrs Rosa Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of NHB, explained: “The items from this time

capsule are particularly interesting as we celebrate our 50th year of independence. They tell the

story of Singapore’s beginnings as a young nation, and how far we had progressed in a short span

of 25 years. Many policies and initiatives that were put in place then continue to be relevant to

Singapore today. This exhibition is also a nostalgic reminder for those of us who have used some

of these items, and whose lives were actually impacted by some of the policies. As for our younger

visitors, they can now see for themselves what an old handphone and a ‘packet drink’ look like!”

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4. Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education and Chairman of the SG50 Steering

Committee, announced the plans for a SG50 time capsule at the launch of Unearthed: Singapore

at 25. Singaporeans are invited to participate in a public vote for items to be included in the SG50

time capsule, through the SG50 website or on-ground selection stations. More details will be

announced at a later date.

5. Unearthed: Singapore at 25 will be one of the key highlights happening over Singapore’s

extended Jubilee weekend between 7 and 10 August 2015, in addition to special programming at

ACM, and NHB’s other museums and Heritage Institutions. Unearthed: Singapore at 25 runs from

3 August to 27 September 2015 at ACM, admission is free.

Please refer to the following attachments:

Annex A for highlights of Unearthed: Singapore at 25 objects

For more information, please visit www.acm.org.sg

– END –

About SG50 Jubilee Weekend

To mark Singapore’s 50 years of independence, 7 August 2015 has been declared a special SG50

public holiday. Singaporeans will be able to enjoy an extended Jubilee Weekend from 7th to 10th

August, so as to commemorate this significant milestone in our nation’s history.

The Jubilee Weekend is a special time for Singaporeans to spend with their family, friends, and

community, to celebrate SG50 in a meaningful way. A variety of programmes have been organised

around the island, to reflect our journey as a nation, to celebrate what makes Singapore our home,

and to strengthen our ties as one people.

For more details on the programmes over the Jubilee weekend, please visit

https://www.singapore50.sg.

About National Heritage Board

The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993. As the custodian of

Singapore’s heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean

experience and imparting our Singapore spirit. NHB’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the

shared heritage of our diverse communities, for the purpose of education, nation-building and

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cultural understanding. It manages the national museums and heritage institutions, and sets

policies relating to heritage sites, monuments and the national collection. Through the national

collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and presents exhibitions to connect the past,

present and future generations of Singaporeans. NHB is now a statutory board under the Ministry

of Culture, Community and Youth. Please visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information.

About the Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia,

especially Singapore’s ancestral cultures. Through a collection of works of art and a varied

exhibition programme, we hope to deepen understanding of Southeast Asia, China, South Asia,

West Asia, and the Peranakan world. Rare among museums in Asia, the ACM connects

audiences with many cultures.

For media enquiries, kindly contact:

Cherell Soon

Senior Associate

DID: 6221 3808

Mobile: 8102 9131

Email: cherell.soon@tateanzur.com

Keith Kay

Associate

DID: 6221 5797

Mobile: 9628 4263

Email: keith.kay@tateanzur.com

Unearthed: Singapore at 25

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3 August – 27 September 2015 Free admission

This exhibition displays the contents of a time capsule buried in front of the Empress Place building on 29 December 1990. Objects include first National Service mobilisation, development plans from the 1970s, military medals, stamps, public phone cards, a very young SINGA, the courtesy mascot, and even a poster of Ah Meng, ambassador for the Singapore Zoo. Come experience the sights, sounds, and thoughts of Singaporeans of 25 years ago.

Object highlights from Unearthed: Singapore at 25

Caption / Text Image

THEME: ECONOMY

Singapore’s first currency series 1967 Paper (notes), bronze (one cent), cupro-nickel (five cents and above) Since 1967, the Board of Commissioners of Currency has issued four series of notes and three series of coins for general circulation. The first notes, called the Orchid Series, featured a different orchid on each denomination. The first coins are the Marine Series.

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Caption / Text Image

Flight attendant uniforms of Singapore Airlines 1990 French designer Pierre Balmain created the sarong kebaya uniform for Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in 1968. When Singapore Airlines became a separate entity in 1972, the “Singapore Girl” emerged as a marketing initiative, and the sarong kebaya was a central part of the brand. The attentive service of Singapore Airlines’ cabin staff helped Singapore become a major travel and tourism hub: it is a model that has been copied around the world. Each uniform was individually tailored, and the colour worn shows rank.

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Caption / Text Image

Signboard of NTUC FairPrice 1973 The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) opened its first market in Toa Payoh in 1973. The markets were introduced to help moderate the cost of living. Today, FairPrice is the country’s largest supermarket chain, with around 150 stores.

THEME: EDUCATION

Report on the Ministry of Education 1978 This report identified shortcomings in the education system. It suggested improvements to bilingualism, and advocated the streaming of primary school students based on their language and academic abilities. The Speak Mandarin Campaign began the following year.

THEME: SOCIAL

Score from Singapore Symphony Orchestra Singapore, 1979 The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1979. This score of “Majulah Singapura”, the national anthem of Singapore, commemorates a performance at the orchestra’s inaugural concert.

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Caption / Text Image

Sing Singapore ’90 songbook with CDs and cassettes Ministry of Communication and Information, Psychological Defence Division 1990 “Sing Singapore” was launched in 1988, providing Singaporeans with songs in four languages – Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil – to inspire national pride. Favourites, including “Count on Me, Singapore”, “We are Singapore”, and “Stand up for Singapore”, can be found in this 1990 compilation. Aimed at fostering a sense of unity among the diverse cultures of Singapore, Sing Singapore has been incorporated into National Day celebrations.

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Caption / Text Image

Two Singa toys Singapore, 1982 Singa was created as a mascot for the National Courtesy Campaign in 1982. The Straits Times reported that after the campaign’s launch, phone lines were jammed with children calling to speak to Singa. Accompanied by the slogan, “courtesy is part of our tradition, it’s so nice to be courteous”, Singa became the face of the National Kindness Movement in 2001. He “resigned” from his duties in 2013. In an open letter to Singapore, he explained: “After all, I’ve been doing this for over 30 years – first, as the Courtesy Lion, and more recently, as your mascot for kindness. I’m just too tired to continue facing an increasingly angry and disagreeable society.”

THEME: INFRASTRUCTURE

Singapore Concept Plan, Map B 1971 The 1971 concept plan for Singapore was completed with help from the United Nations Development Programme. It proposed broad plans for land use and transportation development over the next 40 to 50 years. Reviews were conducted in 1991 and 2001 to keep the plan relevant.

THEME: DEFENCE

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Caption / Text Image

Pingat Pertahanan (Defence Medal) 1964–66 This medal was awarded between 9 August 1964 and 9 August 1966 to Singapore Police and Singapore Armed Forces personnel involved in the fight against Konfrontasi (1963–66), the Indonesian movement opposed to the creation of Malaysia.

Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang, Tentera (Distinguished Service Order, Military), 1981 These medals are awarded to members of the Singapore Armed Forces in recognition of their time in service, achievements, and exemplary performance.

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Caption / Text Image

Civil defence uniform and helmet around 1990 The Singapore Civil Defence Force (formerly Singapore Fire Service) provides emergency and rescue services in Singapore, including firefighting and ambulance services. The force has played a crucial role in national emergencies, including the Bukit Ho Swee Fire of 1961, the Robinsons’ Department Store Fire of 1972, and the Spyros Explosion of 1978.

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