Night of reflection, renewal and shared purpose
Launch of a milestone anthology of the nation at the National Gallery Singapore on Nov 17, 2025
THE National Gallery Singapore was the setting for a thoughtful and quietly momentous evening on November 17, 2025, when President Tharman Shanmugaratnam officially launched (Re)Defining Singapore, a new anthology capturing the voices, questions and aspirations of a changing nation. Comprising essays from 26 contributors—ranging from policymakers and academics to community leaders and cultural observers—the book arrives at a time when Singapore is openly examining its place in the world and the values that will guide its next phase.
From the start, the evening carried an air of meaningful dialogue, guided with warmth and clarity by emcee Keith Yap, whose presence helped shape the evening into a coherent narrative about identity, place and purpose. Guests, authors, members of the media and invited leaders filled the auditorium, ready not just to witness a launch but to reflect on the conversations that define Singapore today.
Opening the programme were Fiona Leung and Bianca Cheo, the two visionaries who initiated the book project. Taking to the stage, they shared how (Re)Defining Singapore was born—what began as a series of private reflections and exchanges eventually evolved into the conviction that Singapore had reached a “milestone moment of introspection.” They explained their desire to assemble a diverse group of contributors to articulate the multilayered experiences of Singaporeans navigating rapid change, shifting global currents and new generational expectations. These essays were edited and, in some cases, co-written by Woon Tai Ho, the founding CEO who helped launch Channel NewsAsia.
##CROSSOVER: Read our stories on Woon Tai Ho at www.newasiacurrents.com. For Redefining Singapore through art, words, and vision, click here, and Exploring media and storytelling, click here.
Yap then invited all 26 contributors to the stage, creating a spectacular visual representation of the collective spirit behind the anthology. Standing alongside President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the guest of honour at the book launch, the three editors and 26 contributors formed a tableau of perspectives and experiences—an apt symbol of a nation defined not by a single narrative, but by the interplay of many. With the unveiling of the enlarged mock book cover, the launch took on a celebratory yet reflective tone, marking both an achievement and an invitation to deeper national conversation.
The evening’s highlight was a lively panel segment curated and moderated by Yap. He welcomed three panel members, namely, Prof Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large, MFA Singapore; Mr Kai Nargolwala, chairman, Singapore Pools and chairman, 65 Equity, and Encik Mohammed Saleem, co-founder, LifeCraft Singapore—each bringing a distinct lens—to discuss the book’s themes and to respond to a central question of the night: What is the “secret sauce” that has enabled Singapore’s success as a nation? The speakers also reflected on resilience as a generational trait, the discipline and adaptability of Singaporean institutions, and the balancing act between openness and rootedness that has characterised the country’s evolution. Their exchanges were energised yet thoughtful, blending anecdotes, policy reflections and personal stories.
The conversation broadened into a reflection on national pride—how it feels today, and why it matters. Unlike the early decades of nation-building, contemporary Singaporean pride is shaped by complexity: global uncertainty, rising cultural self-confidence, and differing expectations among younger citizens. The panelists emphasised that pride today is less about achievement alone and more about an emerging sense of ownership, participation and shared responsibility. The book, they noted, captures this shift with nuance, offering a mosaic of voices that together express a nation negotiating its next act.
#### Read here our review of the book
As the discourse wound down, Yap smoothly guided the event to its closing moments, thanking President Tharman, the contributors and the audience for their engagement. Guests were then invited to the Ngee Ann Kongsi foyer for dinner and the opportunity to purchase the newly launched book. Conversations continued over food as readers met authors and the people behind the book, shared personal reflections and extended the very dialogue the book seeks to spark.
More than a publication, (Re)Defining Singapore stands as a collective meditation on identity, aspiration and the evolving meaning of home. Its launch, thoughtfully helmed by Keith Yap, marked a moment where Singapore paused together—reflecting not just on where it has been, but on who it hopes to become. — Sebastian Lim
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