Heritage with a Modern Twist: Explore Singapore! 2008

Courtesy of Walter Lim (Director of Corporate Comms. and Industry Promotion, NHB)

As one who tries to blog about heritage creatively, I'm glad to know Explore Singapore! is back again. For the third successive year, this iconic museum event will show you a whole new side to our museums and heritage.

Take note - this is no more an event than a morsel can constitute a meal. It is a heritage buffet! Spanning over 70 activities at more than 27 museums island-wide, both young and old will be spoilt for choice, from 20 Nov to 7 Dec 2008.

Prepare to get awe-struck, star-struck, even love-struck. Not your typical museum event, the activities cover familiar lifestyle themes like food, love, shopping and entertainment - all part of NHB's efforts to bring heritage to the mass.

A gloomy economy and shrinking wallets should not deter us from taking part, as entry charges are waived or pegged at very affordable rate during this period. The kids can also indulge themselves in the activities catered for them, as do lover-birds - yes, couples are part of the target audience as well.

Here's a sampling of activities from the website. You can find more information and the full list here.

Wedding Talk by Vernetta Lopez - Wedding planner and celebrity radio personality Vernetta Lopez shares her ideas for the perfect wedding. Enjoy this special workshop with your partner in a beautiful dining hall tastefully designed by Vernetta herself. (3 Dec, SAM)

Self-Defence Workshop with Vincent Ng - Join celebrity hunk and Singapore Wushu champion Vincent Ng as he demonstrates basic self-defence moves for the ladies. Gain a basic understanding of the physical and cultural aspects of Wushu and learn leg, hand and body movements. Pick up useful stances, punches and kicks to protect yourself! (6 Dec, Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, Ladies only)

Love Tales of Bras Basah and Bugis - Join us on a leisurely walk and discover the many love stories hidden within the quaint and lovely historic districts of Bras Basah and Bugis. (22 Nov/5 Dec, Singapore City Gallery)

Cosplay Challenge 09 - Come discover the world of Cosplay through our exclusive Cosplay exhibition that includes award-winning costumes from the World Cosplay Summit exhibition. Participate in our special Cosplay workshops and stand to win attractive prizes! (Singapore Discovery Centre)

Comics and Superheroes Exhibition - Explore the fantasy world of make-believe. This exhibition explores the origin and development of comics which began in mid-1600s with the introduction of caricature, gradually evolved into comic strips and books, and eventually progressed from print to screen. (4 Dec onwards, Singapore Philatelic Museum)

Screening of Princess Monoke by Hayao Miyazaki - Don’t miss cult animation favourite Princess Mononoke, a period drama set in the late Muromachi period of Japan. Based on the relationship between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans who consume its resources, it is a beautifully drawn masterpiece that is particularly relevant today. (5 Dec, SAM)

Marina Barrage Reservoir Cruise - Take a cruise on the new scenic Marina Reservoir! (Fridays-Sundays during Explore Singapore! period)

The highlights of Explore Singapore! are the three weekend activities - HungryGoWhere.com Big Eat Out!, Dim Sum Dollies Day Out and Wrap! Festival. The last needs a bit of elaboration. It is actually the finale event of Explore Singapore! with musical performance by Nanta from Korea, Jack and Rai from EIC and magic show by Jeremy Pei. The climax is reached when the lucky winner for the brand new Subaru Forester car (COE included) is announced. Here are the ways to win it.

Photo Credit: Yesterday.sg.

Don't need to touch the car for three days lah. Just take part in Explore Singapore! and you stand a chance to win it.