Evolutionary Tales: Stories of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Situated in Kampong Gelam, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) is a museum that offers cultural exposure and learning experiences about the Malay culture and heritage. While it is presently closed for renovation works, MHC continues to bring a variety of programs to partner venues across Singapore.

Dr Azhar Ibrahim is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS). He teaches Malay-Indonesian literature and ideologies of development at the department. His research interest includes the sociology of literature, social theology, Islamic thought, critical literacy, and the Malay-Indonesian intellectual development. Amongst his published works are: Emancipated Education (2020), Historical Imagination and Cultural Responses to Colonialism and Nationalism: A Critical Malay(sian) Perspective (2017), Contemporary Islamic Discourse in the Malay-Indonesia World (2014) and Narrating Presence: Awakening from Cultural Amnesia. (2014).

Ridhwan Saidi is a novelist, playwright and filmmaker. His plays include Bangsawan Gemala Malam, Hamlet Fansuri, Mautopia, Masam Manis and Stereo Genmai, as well as 13 offbeat playlets in the Teater Modular series. He writes with the intent to illuminate poetry and heighten the appreciation of deadpan humour. He amalgamates his practices in filmmaking, literature and theatre and actively collaborates dramaturgically with artists in various fields.

Syafiqah Jaaffar holds a BA and MA in History from the National University of Singapore. Her research interests and work sit on the interstices of visual arts, literature and the history of the Malay world from the 19th century to the present. She is currently an assistant curator at the Malay Heritage Centre. Prior to this, she was at the National Museum of Singapore, with her latest exhibitions being A Voyage of Love and Longing (2021) and Dislocations (2022).