NEWS: The Future of Our Pasts Festival Reimagines Singapore’s History Through 11 Multidisciplinary Art Projects2 min read

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The Future of Our Pasts Festival (TFOOPFest) kicked off last Saturday with a lineup of 11 multidisciplinary projects, created by a pool of young local artists and cultural advocates. Taking place from 16 February to 17 March at various locations around the city, TFOOPFest aims to engage and inspire audiences to explore lesser-known narratives of Singapore’s communities and history. The festival is organised by Yale-NUS College in support of the Singapore Bicentennial.

Minister of Education Mr Ong Ye Kung, who opened the festival as Guest of Honour, said, “Through the festival, the young creators are making history more relatable and accessible. This is an important endeavour as we try to connect with our past, gain a better understanding of our history, and better understand the soul of our nation and people.”

“Across centuries, Singapore’s identity has been ever-changing, shaped by the flows of trade, people and ideas. Looking into history, we can seek out answers for how we came to be as a people,” said Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of Yale-NUS College, and a member of the Singapore Bicentennial Advisory Panel and Steering Committee for TFOOPFest. “The festival’s programming is anchored in compelling narratives that draw attention to a spectrum of voices. Through these diverse stories, we hope to take audiences through an engaging journey from past to present, so they may find personal meaning in our collective history and chart their own paths for the future.”

Over the month-long festival, audiences can choose to explore different narratives through the wide selection of options available. The programme showcases a range of art forms that reimagine Singapore’s history, including installations, interactive musical and theatrical performances, the launch of a zine and graphic novel, film screenings, walking tours and more.

TFOOPFest will also organise other fringe activities open to members of the public throughout the festival period. In addition to panel discussions, workshops, and walking tours, there will also be curated film screenings at The Projector.

For the full listing of TFOOPFest events, please visit their website, Facebook page or Instagram.