Jean Tan, SIF Executive Director
If you’ve noticed, you’re reading quite a different issue of Singapore. Yes, we’ve had a makeover. Why, you ask?
In the last couple of years, the Singapore magazine has been expanding its contents and reach. Many of us are finding new and exciting developments around us, where talking about Singapore in the classic categories of ‘society’, ‘policies and ‘business’ isn’t going to cut it. Which is why we’re refreshing the stories (more on that later), adding new content and more pages to the magazine.
Previously dedicated to overseas Singaporeans dotting the world map, we now also distribute far and wide to friends of Singapore around the world. This complements the new direction of the Singapore International Foundation, where our goal is to bridge people and ideas, whether it’s through our overseas community work and transnational dialogues, or with this quarterly magazine.
So let us know if you like what you see:
Scene is a new section where we put the spotlight on news makers. Now there’s no need to lament that you can’t keep up with the constantly changing city and its personalities. In this issue we talk to a group that ‘incubates’ made-in-Singapore musicals—yes, musicals, led by local writer and composers Stella Kon, Kenneth Lyen and Desmond Moey.
Island Gems is another addition—the magazine’s ‘green piece’. A subject close to our hearts (and yours too, we know), we hope to debunk the thinking that Singapore is too small for ecological wonders. Here we reveal off-the-beaten-track locations, biodiversity and wildlife research and other green activities that are gaining ground. This edition‘s “Island Gem” takes you to Singapore’s beautiful ‘garbage’ island Pulau Semakau.
For those not born but bred in Singapore, My Singapore will strike a chord. Walk down memory lane with Briton Derek Tait as he shares his fond memories of sampans, banyans and rambutans.
Next up is Culture Fix. Get your heritage, arts and culture fixes here as we untangle the bewildering ‘multiculti’ web that makes up Singapore and its quirky inhabitants. See Exhibit A The Kopi on what the local coffeeshop brew really is, how to order and what it has to do with flowering cans.
We’ve kept some of the stuff that you love, from news headlines (Round-up), to unique businesses (Biz.Sg), snippets on policies (Policy Buzz) and talking points (Society). We’ve also retained hot favourites like Going Local and What’s Cooking.
So do write and tell us what you want to see in the new Singapore. Send in your suggestions or even contributions—we’d love to hear from you.
July, August and September are busy months for the Singapore International Foundation. If you’re on our mailing list, you would have seen our call for volunteers and invitations to our activities; if not, do consider visiting www.sif.org.sg. For the past months’ goings-on, do read SIF News.
As these hectic months threaten to fly by in the blink of an eye, we hope that through this issue’s refreshed line-up you’ll find respite, as well as answers, to all your niggling curiosities about our island city, Singapore.
Happy reading!
Jean Tan
Editor-in-Chief, Singapore Magazine
& Executive Director, Singapore International Foundation
Email: singapore@sif.org.sg
