Director's Message

We are happy to celebrate with all of you this year the National Museum of Singapore’s 120 years of history. With our rich heritage, the Museum’s reopening in December 2006 marked the coming of age for this cultural icon, which attracted more than 117,000 visitors on the opening festival itself. And it is still making history by breaking conventions and pushing boundaries to bring quality museum experiences of international standards to its audience. This year is also made extra special when the National Museum was recently awarded the Best Reinvented Attraction in Singapore by the Association of Singapore Attractions – a significant recognition that we are proud of.

It is therefore an opportune time to extend our thanks to all our supporters, patrons and partners; and also to you, our fellow Singaporeans and international friends, who have embraced this Museum and its development full heartedly, making it a truly people’s museum. We can’t think of a better way to share our joy on this celebratory occasion than to hold a three-month long festival that promises once again to entice and engage you to experience history, culture and the arts through a fresh and meaningful perspective.

Join us on the first weekend of September as we start the festive celebration by bringing back some of Singapore’s past in food and entertainment, with a modern twist, on the front lawn of the Museum. Don’t miss the wondrous Empire of Nature exhibition of William Farquhar’s Drawings of Plants and Animals. All of the 477 prints and drawings of this exhibition are part of a rare collection that will be exhibited for the first time ever in its totality. If you missed our last Opening Festival, we urge you not to miss this one, as we continue to strive to create an unforgettable experience for every visitor. We know you will enjoy what we have in store for you and we look forward to more eventful years ahead with you!

Lee Chor Lin
Director
National Museum of Singapore