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Join us for a series of free Friday evening talks offering fascinating insights into diverse topics. Friday with Friends, organised with support from the Asian Civilisations Museum, is open to the public.

Lectures start at 7 pm sharp.

Coordinator

Priya Seshadri
Mathangi Venkatesh
Gisella Harrold

Address

Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Events

Asia and the Western World: passing the torch

Friday 19 May, 2023

Speaker: Dr. Samir Puri

Please note that this event has been moved to a new date: Friday 19 May 2023, 7pm.

​We are at a fascinating moment in world history, in which the unquestioned dominance of Western countries is ebbing away. Ever since the age of Western maritime exploration and colonisation began centuries ago, Asia has absorbed many influences from Europe and America. Is the reverse process now underway? Western countries see the 'Indo-Pacific' region as a place of rising wealth and opportunity - but are they ready to be influenced by this latest encounter? Dr Samir Puri places this latest round of cultural and economic exchanges in a historical context, enquiring into what they tell us about our changing world. 

Speaker:

Dr. Samir Puri has authored four books on history and geopolitics, the latest being ‘Russia’s Road to War With Ukraine’ (2022) and ‘The Great Imperial Hangover’ (2021). Between 2020 and 2022 he was a Senior Fellow at the IISS-Asia office in Singapore working on the Shangri-La Dialogue. Earlier in his career, he taught at King’s College London and Johns Hopkins Universities (2015-19) and served in the UK Foreign Office (2009-15). 

 

Teasing Your Palate: The Nusantara Through Food

Friday 28 April, 2023

Speaker: Khir Johari

The Malay Archipelago or Nusantara is a cradle of culinary flavours, a hub of cultural globalization and international exchange. As home to major maritime trade routes, the cross-pollination of ideas, goods and ways of life was the norm as can be seen in material culture, religious practices and, of course, food.

This talk, taking place in the midst of Hari Raya/ Eid festivities, offers a glimpse of the geography and history of the region through the lens of food. Be tantalized by stories and images depicting multiple cultural traditions in Malay dishes from key ingredients to flavour profiles to preparation techniques. 

 

About the speaker 

Khir Johari is the author of “The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago'', a landmark book that explores the cultural anthropology of Nusantara food and showcases how food has played a part in moulding Singapore Malay culture.

Khir is an art collector and an active member of FOM who enjoys training docents and researching on the history and culture of insular Southeast Asia. He obtained a BSc in Mathematics from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Education from Stanford University. Khir is also a board member of the Asian Civilisations Museum. 

The Panchatantra: Unforgettable Fables from Ancient India

Friday 24 March, 2023

Speaker: Abha Dayal Kaul

Please note that this event has been moved to a new date: Friday 24 March 2023, 7pm.

Indian children grow up with seemingly simple tales from a fascinating treasure-house of stories, the Panchatantra, but this classic work of ancient India’s literature, originally written in Sanskrit, appeals to all and even now, in our present times.

This talk is a reprise of a recent Monday Morning Lecture and brings you intriguing fables of humans and animals, set in five major threads and memorable stories within stories. Meet some star characters who act out the flaws and foolishness as well as the wisdom and goodness of human conduct, via the illustrative story, one that teaches by example in the most simple, yet effective way. Be entertained by a few chosen tales and of the story of the Panchatantra’s travels to foreign lands.

About the speaker

Abha Dayal Kaul has been an active Friends of the Museums (FOM member and docent since 2008 and has lived in Singapore for 22 years.  Abha has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Honours from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, a Bachelors degree in Law from Delhi University, and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Virginia, U.S.A. Abha worked as a corporate lawyer in Delhi, New York and Bombay, and upon moving to Singapore in 2000 pursued her interests in history, art, travel, and Indian philosophy.

Abha is Coordinator of FOM Study Tours which are now coming back to life post-Covid, and thrives on taking enthusiastic travellers to her native country, India.

As an FOM docent at the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Malay Heritage Centre, and the Indian Heritage Centre, Abha enjoys ongoing research and learning, and guiding others through these marvellous Singapore institutions. Abha also likes to write about travel, history, exhibitions and culture for PASSAGE and other publications.

 

 

FwF is back!

Friday with Friends is back with exciting new lectures!

Would you like to hear something specific? Let us know and we see if we can find a speaker.

Please watch for announcements on the FOM website and newsletters.