Discover the compelling stories of Singapore’s sporting and public transportation history at the 20th edition of Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) 2023. Presented by the National Heritage Board (NHB), the festival takes place over four weekends from 1 to 28 May 2023, featuring over 80 immersive programs that celebrate significant national milestones in the sporting and public transportation sectors.
This year, SHF commemorates the 50th anniversary of SBS Transit and SportSG, the 40th anniversary of the Singapore Sports Museum, the 35th anniversary of the MRT system, and the 30th anniversary of NHB. The festival offers a dynamic lineup of heritage and cultural trails, workshops, tours, talks, exhibitions, and film screenings that shed light on the evolution of sports and public transport in Singapore.
Collaborating with more than 60 community partners, SHF 2023 brings many exciting activities for people of all ages and interests. New partners include the Children’s Museum Singapore, Football Association of Singapore, the Land Transport Authority, SBS Transit, Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT), Singapore Silat Federation, Sport Singapore, The Kalari Academy, and various community festivals.
Festival-goers can expect a range of captivating experiences, such as:
- Returning festival favourites like the Homeground installation, which brings together 10 of NHB’s well-loved heritage trails in an immersive shophouse experience at the National Museum of Singapore.
- Uncovering the untold stories of everyday Singaporeans through tours, workshops, and talks with people like Matthew Tay, Singapore’s youngest bus driver turned bus captain, and Jerome Lim, co-author of Secret Singapore.
- Exploring Singapore’s public transportation history through trails and tours, offering a deeper understanding of our nation’s rich heritage.
- Delving into Singapore’s sporting history with a closer look at iconic sports-related landmarks and immersive experiences and workshops like Silat Cultural Open House 2023 and Indigenous Indian Arts: Silambam.
Additionally, SHF 2023 introduces its first-ever symposium, “Festivals for the Future – What Makes a Heritage Festival?”, allowing festival-goers to peek into the evolution of SHF and various community festivals held in Singapore over the years.
Registration for SHF 2023 programs opens on 20 April 2023, at noon. Visit www.sgheritagefest.gov.sg for more information and registration details. Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover the lesser-known stories of our nation’s heritage and celebrate our rich history together.