Inspired by the daily circumstances in Singapore, Mad About Singapore takes a non-institutional approach to everything there is to Singapore. Mad About Singapore is an eight-episode series and commences on 16 January 2010. 

Mad About Singapore Legendary  Tales

How much do you know about Singapore history via it’s myths and legends? Meet Lim Chen Sian, Singapore’s mad archaelogist who is addicted to history as he is in excavating various sites in Singapore and the  ten-year old walking encyclopedia, Aston Chin, who remembers Singapore’s myths and legends by heart! In this exciting session, Mad About Legendary tales explores Singapore’s past history through its myths and legends.

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Event.aspx?EventID=31322

About the Speaker:

Lim Chen Sian is an archaelogist who travels to digging sites. Chen previously studied archaeology in Boston University and have travelled extensively to places like Hong Kong, Macau, Java, Bali, Sumatra & Egypt on his excavation trips. He finds that the most interesting excavation sites he has worked on are those in Singapore as he can relate to the familiar surroundings.

Aston Chin is a ten year old Junior Reading Ambassador who is still schooling at Rosyth Primary School. He enjoys reading, is not afraid to speak up and will share with you everything he knows about Singapore’s history in the eyes of a child.

 Saturday, 16 Jan, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm, level 16, POD, National Library Building

 Mad About Singlish

Singlish makes people laugh. It is the language of love and the language that unites a multi-racial society like Singapore. For others, Singlish is an embarassment and reflects badly on Singapore’s modern and sophisticated image.

Mad About Singlish unveils this controversy and brings you to meet a law lecturer who sets his own time to preserve the Singlish language through the settting up of his online Singlish dictionary. The Queen of controversy, Ris Low, will also share us her personal encounters with Singlish and why she thinks it is a true representation of Singapore.

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Event.aspx?EventID=31323.

 About the speaker:

Kirpal Singh is an Associate Professor of English Literature and Creative Thinking at the Singapore Management University and has authored and edited over 16 books. He is also a poet, literary, cultural critic and has profound knowledge of the English language development and usage in Singapore. 

Jack Tsen-Ta Lee is an Assistant Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University. His first encounter with a profusion of Singlish was during his National Service days. Since then, he has been intrigued by the uniqueness of this Singaporean culture and compiles an online Singlish dictionary at the expense of his own free time and will. Jack is for the preservation of Singlish eventhough he does not speak Singlish.

Saturday, 30 Jan, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm, level 5, Possibility Room, National Library Building

If you’ve been following our Mad About Singapore series and have an opinion, a picture, a video or know of great links or articles related to our thematic episode, share it with us by submitting your comments to us. The best featured article, photo, video, link referral or opinion article stand a chance to win book vouchers while stocks last*!

*Terms & Conditions apply:

Participants must be Singaporeans, permanent residents or residing in Singapore. All winners will be notified through e-mail and are required to produce their identification cards or passport for verification purposes. Winners are required to collect their prizes at the National Library building. National Library Board reserves the right to choose its winner.