As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, the Founders’ Memorial invites everyone to rediscover the nation’s multicultural roots with Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore, a powerful new exhibition held at the City Hall Chamber of the National Gallery Singapore from 31 October 2025 to 29 March 2026.
Presented in conjunction with SG60, the exhibition transports visitors back to the 1950s–1970s, a transformative era when the ideals of multiculturalism were actively forged through policy, community effort, and the lived experiences of everyday citizens. Visitors are invited to reflect on these historic moments and connect them to what multiculturalism means in their lives today.
Following the success of Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit in 2023, this second pilot exhibition continues to test new storytelling and engagement formats ahead of the Memorial’s grand opening in 2028. Through the use of art, interactive media, and dialogue, Not Mere Spectators celebrates the founding value of multiculturalism, one that continues to shape Singapore’s identity and shared future.
From Aneka Ragam Ra’ayat to Modern-Day Multiculturalism
The exhibition draws inspiration from the Aneka Ragam Ra’ayat (“People’s Cultural Concerts”) of 1959, a series of free concerts uniting diverse cultures on one stage. It was during one such concert at City Hall that Lee Kuan Yew urged Singaporeans to be “not just mere spectators” but “active participants” in nation-building, words that give the exhibition its title.
Through immersive displays and personal stories, visitors can explore how multiculturalism was debated, challenged, and lived. Highlights include:
- A two-minute animation on Aneka Ragam Ra’ayat by Finding Pictures.
- An original three-part audio play by playwright Kaylene Tan, inspired by S. Rajaratnam’s A Nation in the Making.
- Artworks such as Eating on Banana Leaves (1979) by Chua Mia Tee and Lovers on a Train (2021) by Yeo Tze Yang.
- Interactive features, including a motion-sensor dance projection and a nostalgic photobooth of Singapore’s common spaces.
- Historical artefacts, including the original 1966 correspondence on the National Pledge between Ong Pang Boon and S. Rajaratnam.
Conversations that Build Bridges
Beyond the exhibits, Not Mere Spectators offers programmes designed to spark meaningful connections across communities:
- #NoStrangerDanger encourages visitors to share personal reflections on multiculturalism with fellow attendees.
- On the Flipside: Conversations on Multiculturalism brings locals and foreigners together for honest dialogue.
- Aneka Ragam Remix invites communities to reimagine the original cultural concerts through song and dance.
- We Pledge Ourselves – Scenario Room lets students roleplay educators navigating Singapore’s early language policies.
Part of “Project Citizens – The First Million”
The exhibition forms part of Project Citizens – The First Million, a signature SG60 initiative by the Founders’ Memorial that honours the nation’s founding generation. Through storytelling programmes and pop-ups across Singapore, the initiative celebrates the everyday citizens who shaped the country’s early years.
Admission to Not Mere Spectators: The Makings of Multicultural Singapore is free for all.
Visit the exhibition at the City Hall Chamber, National Gallery Singapore, from 31 October 2025 to 29 March 2026.
For details, visit here.
