Asia Journal of Global Studies, Vol 3, No 1 (2009)

Keeping Memories Alive: Maintaining Singaporean Nationalism Abroad

Catherine Gomes

Abstract


Singapore uses the active remembering of its heritage to instil in its citizens a sense of nationhood. While this is not an uncommon feature of any national agenda, Singapore - concerned with a declining local skilled workforce as a result of emigration - uses memory of heritage and place as a means to promote and maintain nationalism among its citizens abroad. The practice of remembering is aided by inventive and sometimes well-funded government initiatives such as the annually held Singapore Day, a one-day event held in cities outside Singapore which have a significant diasporic Singaporean population.

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