Former Ford Factory Tour & Voices of War: Oral Accounts in Battle History

Venue

Former Ford Factory, Screening Room Level 2

351 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588192

About the Programme

Curious how sites with a dark past can use oral history to engage audiences? Join Archives Services Manager Lu Wenshi as she uncovers some highlights of oral history accounts on the Japanese Occupation and the value of such accounts when it came to the curation of the exhibition Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies. The session will also cover other historical sites in the region to illustrate the importance of oral accounts when it comes to telling stories from the past.

A short documentary film Life in the Shadow of a Rising Sun, featuring interviews with survivors of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, will be also be screened. Go on a guided tour of the Former Ford Factory and discover the history of war and the significance of 15 February 1942 to the building.

About the Speaker

Lu Wenshi is the Manager of Archives Services at the National Archives of Singapore (NAS). She was formerly an Oral History Specialist with the NAS Oral History Centre and the project manager of the revamp of the exhibition Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies. Wenshi appreciates the importance of oral history not just in filling the gaps in historical information, but also in emotionally engaging audiences during their visits to historical sites.  

Programme Line up

• ”Voices of War: The Role of Oral Accounts in Battlefield History” by Lu Wenshi (30 mins)
• Film Screening of Documentary “Life in the Shadow of a Rising Sun” (30 mins)
• Docent Tour (1 hour)

**IMPORTANT**

• The health and safety of our participants are of paramount importance. With the evolving COVID-19 situation, should there be the need, the in-person event will be moved to an online platform (if this happens, registrants will be informed of the details by email).
• From 1 Dec 2021, Vaccinated-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) will be implemented for all physical programmes.

Only the following 4 groups will be able to enter NLB facilities from 1 January 2022:

1. Individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19  
2. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19
3. Individuals who are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines
4. Children aged 12 years and below

Please bring along your mobile device with the TraceTogether App downloaded or Token to facilitate the Vaccinated-Differentiated Safe Management Measures.

About New Light on an Old Tale: 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore

“New Light on an Old Tale” is an exhibition organised by the National Archives of Singapore to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore (15 February 1942). Showing from 15 February to 30 June 2022, the exhibition showcases artefacts from private collections as well as archival records which hold intimate and little-known stories about World War II and continue to be witnesses to pivotal events that have shaped the history of Singapore.

Accompanying the exhibition is a series of related programmes that together present the events of World War II and the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in a new light.

Don’t miss our online sessions with invited speakers who will explore the public and academic representations of the Japanese Occupation, British medals awarded to Singaporeans for their service in World War II, and music as protection and collaboration in Wartime Singapore.

Join us for a guided tour of the Former Ford Factory to discover its history and significance, and a talk to learn about the role of Oral History accounts in battlefield history.

Catch a P Ramlee Malay classic set during the Japanese Occupation and two rare 1946 post-war Chinese films, curated by the Asian Film Archive.

Register these programmes on go.gov.sg/nlot-prog