HAPPENIN’ . programmes + events
Enjoy things retro? For May discussion, we are doing a historical fiction of Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s. The author Dr Julian Davison, a keen biographer, wrote this collection of stories of that period having lived through it. The book was an instant bestseller when it was published in 2001.
For more details:
Date/Time: Friday 4.00pm, 30 May 2008
Venue: The Activity Room, Bukit Batok Community Library
Facilitator: Ms Chen Wee
Title of the book: “One for the road: satu empat jalan” by Dr Julian Davison
Call No.: SING 959.57 DAV
What the book is about: In this collection of biographical stories of Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, Julian writes with the keen observation of a literary historian of the bygone days when the kampong spirit was prevalent then. References to long forgotten buildings, places and anecdotes come alive in this book.
To spice up the discussion, please bring along an item or two from the era of 1950s and 1960s. You can share what this artifact means to you. Do let me know of the items you are bringing and we can have a table display on them. Potluck still continues and voluntary.
If you are interested in participating, please email Soon Huat at Soon_Huat_KWEH@nlb.gov.sg.
Contributed by Kweh Soon Huat, Adult and Young People’s Services
Have you participated in this event?
Post your comments, or email to HBeditor@nlb.gov.sg
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11 responses so far ↓
1 soonhuat // May 12, 2008 at 8:52 pm
So far, someone is bringing his collection of old postcards in the 1960s! Come on guys, bring out your rare artefacts and share in this retro discussion.
2 paul // May 15, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Also photos take by me of disappearing landmarks - HDB blocks in Queenstown, swimming pool and bowling alley in Commonwealth! Shopping mall in Clementi - demolished in April 2008. Uncles in Toa Payer !
3 Hasanah Sohdi // May 16, 2008 at 9:47 am
I’ll bring something from my mother’s vanity table, something that will always remind me of my mum, her fragrance and of my childhood days. Some of you may recognise this powder with the face of a chinese nonya in front of it. It used to be sold at only 30 cents (in the 60s) now it is $1.20. My mum used to rub it all over my face till I looked so white. I find it interesting that many grannies and aunties still use it to powder their face today which by the way (at least in the case of my mum) remains fair and unblemished. Maybe it is time to discard the expensive brands and go for something cheaper. After all we are facing inflation!
Has
4 soonhuat // May 16, 2008 at 11:45 am
Great job everyone for coming forward to make this retro discussion another great gathering. Some of interesting food we will be having: Satay, yes satay! putu piring, kacang puteh in paper cones and tapai! What is tapai? Join us to find out and discuss the book which is set in the 1950s and 1960s in Singapore. Margaret will be bring her packet of red seeds which are described in the book. I am feeling nostalgic already … remembered my secondary school days which was near the St Andrew Cathedral which even today has rows of trees bearing these cute little red seeds for the picking. When a boy has an interest for a girl, he would collect some seeds (the more, the better) and gave them to her
5 Chen Wee // May 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hopefully the Muah Chee stall is still around the corner near where I work on the day of discussion, I’d like to bring some of it for the Book Club session. Cheers to All.
6 Margaret // May 20, 2008 at 10:02 am
I will bring some of the red seeds from the Indian Bean Tree, which Julian Davison writes about in his Black and White Houses chapter.
Apparently, they were given as tokens of affection by girls and boys to the object of their desire! Does anyone have stories of these seeds? What did the recipient do with the seeds? Did they make them into bracelets, necklaces? Were they ever cast to the ground with disdain only to grow into beautiful Indian Bean Trees?? Perhaps someone with many admirers had a large jar full of seeds? Unaware of their romantic history, I bought some to become part of a table decoration. (I now know you can pick them up off the ground!) I’ll bring the seeds - please bring your stories!
7 THE MAN IN THE HAT IS COMING TO BB // May 25, 2008 at 9:21 pm
We finally tracked down Julian and he’s agreed to come . Great news!
8 soonhuat // May 29, 2008 at 11:47 pm
That is great Paul, our teamwork bears fruits to get Julian to come! Please do come earlier at 3.30pm to watch a DVD produced and directed by Dr Julian Davision. Paul has kindly offered to screen it for us before the discussion to set the mood for a retro day tommorrow (Friday 30 May). See you all!
9 soonhuat // May 30, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I enjoyed listening to Julian’s commentary of some historical buildings and places in Singapore. Like the way he analysed preservation vs modernity with regards to architecture.
10 Paul // May 30, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I’ve asked Julian to let me know when his third series comes out on DVD - my wife and l love the series Site and Sound.
11 Paul // May 31, 2008 at 8:14 am
I saw in ST today that Neil Humpfreys is making a film entitled ‘Notes from an Expat ‘ but he doesn’t play himself. Generally we have been so lucky to get so many well-known local authors to come to the book club. I never thought it would be that easy.
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