This September, two of Singapore’s key heritage institutions, Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) and Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC), will jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in Singapore, marking a pivotal moment that ended the Japanese Occupation.
The programme, titled Liberation of Singapore, will take place on 13 and 14 September 2025, offering the public a chance to reflect on wartime history through talks, trails, and immersive heritage experiences. Beyond remembrance, the initiative highlights themes of identity, resistance, and reconciliation, ensuring that the stories of this defining era continue to shape Singapore’s collective memory.
Whispers of War: Singapore Syonan-to
- Saturday, 13 September 2025
- 2.30pm – 4.30pm (Registration & self-guided tour from 1.30pm)
- Reflections at Bukit Chandu, 31-K Pepys Road
- Free admission (registration required)
The launch of a new public talk series, Whispers of War examines life in wartime Singapore. This inaugural session, Singapore Syonan-to, explores the island’s transformation after the British surrender in 1942, when it was renamed “Light of the South” under Japanese rule. Moderated by Dr Joshua Hong Yi Tan (NUS) with guest speaker Mr Ling Xi Min (Northwestern University), the discussion will shed light on Japanese policies, community responses, and the complexities of adaptation and resistance.
Journey to the East: Heritage Trail at Changi
- Sunday, 14 September 2025
- 9.30am – 11.45am (registration required from 9.00am)
- Changi Chapel and Museum, 1000 Upper Changi Road North
- $20 per participant (includes refreshments)
Led by heritage activist Mr Sarafian Salleh, this guided trail traces the layered histories of Changi Chapel, Museum, and Changi Point. Participants will uncover the lived experiences of POWs, civilians, and kampong residents, discovering how diverse communities endured hardship and built resilience in shared spaces.
For full details and registration, visit the official websites of Changi Chapel and Museum and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.
