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Find out about The First Print: Stories and Legends of Early Singapore.
Last updated 13 August 2026
23 January – 1 April 2019
10:00am – 9:00pm
Level 11, Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library Building
We all grew up with the story of Sang Nila Utama and how he founded Singapura, the “lion city”. This tale from the 13th century is included in one of the oldest and most important Malay texts, Sulalat al-Salatin, which was actually composed four centuries later, around the 17th century.
Sulalat-al-Salatin, or more commonly known as Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), contains tales that not only underline Singapore’s significance as one of the capital cities of Malay kings since the 13th century; it is also one of the few surviving materials that describe the early history of Singapore.
With many tales such as the strong man Badang and the attack of the garfish, Sejarah Melayu continues to enchant writers and readers everywhere. Discover these timeless stories and how one man managed to bring this ancient manuscript to the masses, thereby ensuring that its legacy live on through the ages.
Roving
3 April – 31 October 2019 (CLOSED)
Central Public Library | 3 April – 30 April 2019
Jurong Regional Library | 2 May – 30 June 2019
Tampines Regional Library | 1 July – 31 August 2019
Woodlands Regional Library | 1 September – 31 October 2019
