All Things Singapore 2025: Rediscover Island Identity Through Arts and History

Step into Singapore’s stories and kampong spirit with performances, installations, and community experiences at this year’s All Things Singapore.

Venue: National Library Building & National Archives of Singapore
Date: 22 Aug to 6 Sep 2025
Fee: Free admission

All Things Singapore 2025

Organised by the National Library Board (NLB) in conjunction with the annual Singapore Night Festival, All Things Singapore returns with a special edition in 2025. This year is especially meaningful as it coincides with NLB’s 30th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday.

Themed “Island Nights”, the festival invites visitors to reflect on what it means to be islanders in today’s fast-paced world. From the soulful rhythms at Boogie Junction to the thought-provoking Latex Lobby installation that explores Singapore’s rubber trade heritage, visitors will discover the island’s vibrant past and collective spirit through the arts.

Key Highlights

The Puppet Stage: Handcrafted Stories

Venue: Atrium, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 22 Aug to 6 Sep 2025

Experience the art of puppetry through a display of intricately crafted glove puppets from performing groups, Ombak Potehi and Paper Monkey Theatre. Visitors can explore the history of Chinese glove puppetry in this curated showcase and also check out the return of NLB’s Journey to the West Chatbook, an interactive display that allows one to converse with legendary characters from the classic 16th-century tale in both English and Chinese.

The installation is co-presented by the National Library Board and HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board. NLB hopes to inspire the discovery of hidden stories and facets of Singapore’s past from the collections of the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

The Latex Lobby

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 22 Aug to 3 Sep 2025

Step into a surreal experience that reimagines the history of rubber plantations, a profound part of Singapore’s history. Featuring ceramics, plants, photography, sound, and shadow play, visitors can rediscover the textures, sights and legacy of this once-booming industry.

Hantu in Your Hood: Island Ghost Stories

Venue: Lobby, National Library Building
Date: 23 Aug 2025

Don't miss this haunting storytelling night of local ghost stories! These age-old tales, passed down through generations, offer a fascinating glimpse into our island's cultural heritage and folklore. The event is made even more special as it coincides with the start of the Lunar Seventh Month, when the boundary between stories and spirits feels just a little thinner.

Boogie Junction: A Time-Tripping Music Party

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 30 Aug 2025

The Plaza at the National Library transforms into a vibrant dance floor with rich tunes from the Orkestra Melayu Singapore and local musical duo, NADA!

Performances

The Tiger Hero《武松打虎》by Paper Monkey Theatre

Venue: Atrium, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 23 Aug 2025

Don’t miss this puppet performance by Singaporebased theatre company, Paper Monkey Theatre! Known for their creative storytelling and masterful puppetry, watch as they bring their unique charm and theatrical magic to the stage, captivating both young and old alike!

The performances are co-presented by the National Library Board and HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board. NLB hopes to inspire the discovery of hidden stories and facets of Singapore’s past from the collections of the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

The Monkey King and the Uproar in the Dragon Palace (Nanyang Edition) 《大圣闹龙宫（南洋版）》by Ombak Potehi

Venue: Atrium, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 29 & 30 Aug 2025

Young, multiethnic performers from Penang will present "The Monkey King and the Uproar in the Dragon Palace", showcasing the vibrant art of glove puppetry. This special performance is part of a firstever partnership between the Singapore Night Festival and George Town Festival, supported by NLB, bringing the best of Southeast Asian cultural arts to local audiences.

The performances are co-presented by the National Library Board and HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board. NLB hopes to inspire the discovery of hidden stories and facets of Singapore’s past from the collections of the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

Dance Performance: Rhythm Island

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 23 Aug 2025

Catch local street dance stars, ScRachMarcs, team up with their talented mentees for an energetic dance showcase, bringing fresh moves and dynamic street style to the stage!

Improvisation Theatre Performances

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 23 & 30 Aug 2025

Join in the fun as talented performers from Mynas of Mayhem, Perched Nomads and TableMinis bring their quick wit and spontaneous comedy to the stage!

Nila’s Shimmering Shores: A Pop-Up Storytelling

Venue: Level 2 exterior stairway, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 22 & 23 Aug, 29 & 30 Aug, 5 & 6 Sep 2025

In collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Singapore, Nila’s Shimmering Shores: A Pop-Up Storytelling presents outdoor storytelling sessions that reimagine Singapore’s famous legend through a now-senior Sang Nila Utama as he shares tales from his youth - when he chased a golden deer, sailed through a storm and met a lion on a distant shore. This programme is suitable for children and families.

Film Screening

Film Screening: The Last Artisan (2018)

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 29 Aug 2025

Don’t miss this compelling 80-minute documentary that unveils the untold story of Haw Par Villa's head artisan. As the guardian of one of Singapore's most prominent cultural landmarks, his skilled hands and unwavering dedication have kept this iconic theme park's artistic legacy alive amidst our rapidly modernising city.

Talks and Activities

Where Have U-bin? Stories of Pulau Ubin

Venue: Programme Room 1, Central Library
Date: 22 Aug 2025

In this enriching talk, Syazwan, a descendant of Pulau Ubin’s indigenous Orang Pulau community, will share the island’s rich history through personal anecdotes, historical accounts and stories passed down through generations, offering insights into the different communities and kampungs that thrive on the island.

From Jurong Island to Selat Sembilan

Venue: Oldham Theatre, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 23 Aug 2025

Discover fascinating stories of our islands in this talk that explores how archival records and oral histories reveal the lives of island communities before Jurong Island’s formation. Dr Hadi Osni, curator at the Malay Heritage Centre, highlights how memory and place offer new ways to understand these maritime landscapes.

Cards for the Curious

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building (until 3 Sep) and Atrium, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 22 Aug to 6 Sep 2025

This self-guided activity booth is dedicated to the wanderers, daydreamers, and creative souls in all of us. Each of the booth’s 48 prompt cards offers instructions for you to rediscover this island (and yourself!) in small, wondrous ways.

The Little Red Dot Trivia Night

Venue: Plaza, National Library Building
Date: 29 Aug 2025

Challenge your knowledge of Singapore at this funfilled trivia night! Team up, compete for prizes, and discover fascinating facts about Singapore in this interactive quiz that brings people together for an evening of friendly competition and local culture.

Jom Kenal Pulau! (Let’s Get to Know the Islands!) Activity

Venue: Archives Reading Room, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 5 Sep 2025

Experience the rich heritage of the Orang Laut and Orang Pulau communities through hands-on activities! Learn traditional island phrases, discover indigenous plants, and identify local molluscs using your senses in this unique cultural exploration.

This programme is suitable for children and families.

Panel Sharing: Rentak Pulau, Bunyi Hati (Island Rhythm, The Heart Echoes)

Venue: Oldham Theatre, National Archives of Singapore
Date: 6 Sep 2025

Explore Singapore's vibrant island heritage through the eyes of former islanders and their descendants. Four panellists share personal stories of their communities' rich traditions, from lively music and dance to folktales, offering a rare glimpse into the customs that shaped Singapore’s maritime past.

For more information, please visit the NLB website, and NLB’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube channels.