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NDP 2026 to feature first-ever persons with disabilities contingent
(From left) NDP parade commander Caleb Chia; NDP parade and ceremony committee chairman Anthony Lau; the Singapore Disability Sports Council’s contingent commander Yap Qian Yin; NTUC contingent member Siti Radziah Zainal Abidin and her son Ari Wafiy Muhammad Mahfudz, who will join the National Cadet Corps (Sea) contingent. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO SINGAPORE – The first-ever contingent comprising entirely of persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be joining the National Day Parade in 2026, in a reflection of Singapore’s growing inclusivity. Led by former para-athlete Yap Qian Yin, 16 participants from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) will join a sea of marching civilians at the National Stadium to mark Singapore’s 61st year of independence. SDSC’s NDP contingent participants will include people with physical disabilities and individuals with autism. Wheelchair users will use ramps to access the stage, while organisers are trying out the use of guide dogs to assist visually impaired individuals. Holding areas and quiet rooms at the National Stadium, where NDP 2026 will be held, are also available for those who need a calmer environment, as part of measures to ensure PWD participants are well-supported. Yap, 35, who won gold for Singapore in parasailing at the 2014 Asian Para Games and 2015 ASEAN Para Games, said the inaugural contingent marks PWDs moving beyond being audience or performance members of the NDP. “We are able to... participate in the contingent segment, to march together with the rest of the contingents,” said Yap. “(It) really symbolises a purposeful (and) meaningful Singapore, moving forward as an inclusive society.”
新马两作家的跨域文学书写与对话
李选楼《愿人生幸福》传递生活哲思， 伍燕翎《写在家国之内》回顾阅读时光。 （主办方提供） 新加坡文艺协会与马来西亚华文作家协会将联合举办“跨域文学书写——新马华文文学的对话暨新书发布会”，同时推出两地新书，并共谈新马华文文学的发展历程。 新加坡文艺协会会长、本地作家李选楼的《愿人生幸福》收录散文68篇，分五辑，书写日常生活、旅游见闻与亲情师谊，传递珍惜时间、爱护生命的正能量。马来西亚作家伍燕翎的《写在家国之内》则从马华文学出发，以贴近文本的札记记录阅读中的迟疑、共鸣与追问，在“家”与“国”之间思考身份、语言与历史位置。 发布会同场将举行对谈，主题为“跨域与在地之间：新马华文文学的历史脉络、当代转型与未来发展”，由伍燕翎、李选楼、张森林、刘瑞金与邹文学担任嘉宾，沈斯涵和杨宜颖主持。活动协办单位包括新加坡作家协会、锡山文艺中心、五月诗社、热带文学艺术俱乐部、书写文学、赤道风与大士文艺。 ▲跨域文学书写——新马华文文学的对话暨新书发布会 7月12日（星期日）上午10时至12时 国家图书馆16楼观景阁 入场免费，欢迎出席
Cheng Puay Koon, Linda Yew named 2026 Illustrators of the Year at Singapore Children’s Book Festival
Linda Yew (left) and Cheng Puay Koon jointly won the 2026 Illustrator of the Year Award. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHENG PUAY KOON, LINDA YEW SINGAPORE – Cheng Puay Koon and Linda Yew have been named joint winners of the 2026 Illustrator of the Year Award. They were honoured for their artwork at the third annual Singapore Children’s Book Festival’s opening ceremony on June 19 and will split the $10,000 grand prize. This is the first time there have been joint winners since the award was first given in 2024. Open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents, the award recognises outstanding illustrations in works of children’s literature published locally in 2025. Co-organised by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (NAFA-UAS) and the Singapore Book Publishers Association, the festival runs until June 21 with a line-up that includes book launches, workshops and storytelling sessions at NAFA Campus 2 in Bencoolen Street. Cheng clinched the award for her work in Giant Clam Calamity, published by Graceworks. Co-authored by Pauline Loh and Emily Lim-Leh, the book follows two young classmates on an intertidal walk on Lazarus Island. Guided by Dr Mui, a character inspired by real-life local marine ecologist Neo Mei Lin, the story highlights the vital yet often-overlooked role giant clams play in oceans. The book is the second title in the Earthkeepers series, which aims to educate young readers about the unsung creatures safeguarding the environment. Neo previously praised Cheng’s drawings in an interview with The Straits Times, noting that they were “spot on” in capturing a marine scientist’s work.
NDP 2026 to feature first-ever persons with disabilities contingent
(From left) NDP parade commander Caleb Chia; NDP parade and ceremony committee chairman Anthony Lau; the Singapore Disability Sports Council’s contingent commander Yap Qian Yin; NTUC contingent member Siti Radziah Zainal Abidin and her son Ari Wafiy Muhammad Mahfudz, who will join the National Cadet Corps (Sea) contingent. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO SINGAPORE – The first-ever contingent comprising entirely of persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be joining the National Day Parade in 2026, in a reflection of Singapore’s growing inclusivity. Led by former para-athlete Yap Qian Yin, 16 participants from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) will join a sea of marching civilians at the National Stadium to mark Singapore’s 61st year of independence. SDSC’s NDP contingent participants will include people with physical disabilities and individuals with autism. Wheelchair users will use ramps to access the stage, while organisers are trying out the use of guide dogs to assist visually impaired individuals. Holding areas and quiet rooms at the National Stadium, where NDP 2026 will be held, are also available for those who need a calmer environment, as part of measures to ensure PWD participants are well-supported. Yap, 35, who won gold for Singapore in parasailing at the 2014 Asian Para Games and 2015 ASEAN Para Games, said the inaugural contingent marks PWDs moving beyond being audience or performance members of the NDP. “We are able to... participate in the contingent segment, to march together with the rest of the contingents,” said Yap. “(It) really symbolises a purposeful (and) meaningful Singapore, moving forward as an inclusive society.”
新马两作家的跨域文学书写与对话
李选楼《愿人生幸福》传递生活哲思， 伍燕翎《写在家国之内》回顾阅读时光。 （主办方提供） 新加坡文艺协会与马来西亚华文作家协会将联合举办“跨域文学书写——新马华文文学的对话暨新书发布会”，同时推出两地新书，并共谈新马华文文学的发展历程。 新加坡文艺协会会长、本地作家李选楼的《愿人生幸福》收录散文68篇，分五辑，书写日常生活、旅游见闻与亲情师谊，传递珍惜时间、爱护生命的正能量。马来西亚作家伍燕翎的《写在家国之内》则从马华文学出发，以贴近文本的札记记录阅读中的迟疑、共鸣与追问，在“家”与“国”之间思考身份、语言与历史位置。 发布会同场将举行对谈，主题为“跨域与在地之间：新马华文文学的历史脉络、当代转型与未来发展”，由伍燕翎、李选楼、张森林、刘瑞金与邹文学担任嘉宾，沈斯涵和杨宜颖主持。活动协办单位包括新加坡作家协会、锡山文艺中心、五月诗社、热带文学艺术俱乐部、书写文学、赤道风与大士文艺。 ▲跨域文学书写——新马华文文学的对话暨新书发布会 7月12日（星期日）上午10时至12时 国家图书馆16楼观景阁 入场免费，欢迎出席
Cheng Puay Koon, Linda Yew named 2026 Illustrators of the Year at Singapore Children’s Book Festival
Linda Yew (left) and Cheng Puay Koon jointly won the 2026 Illustrator of the Year Award. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHENG PUAY KOON, LINDA YEW SINGAPORE – Cheng Puay Koon and Linda Yew have been named joint winners of the 2026 Illustrator of the Year Award. They were honoured for their artwork at the third annual Singapore Children’s Book Festival’s opening ceremony on June 19 and will split the $10,000 grand prize. This is the first time there have been joint winners since the award was first given in 2024. Open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents, the award recognises outstanding illustrations in works of children’s literature published locally in 2025. Co-organised by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (NAFA-UAS) and the Singapore Book Publishers Association, the festival runs until June 21 with a line-up that includes book launches, workshops and storytelling sessions at NAFA Campus 2 in Bencoolen Street. Cheng clinched the award for her work in Giant Clam Calamity, published by Graceworks. Co-authored by Pauline Loh and Emily Lim-Leh, the book follows two young classmates on an intertidal walk on Lazarus Island. Guided by Dr Mui, a character inspired by real-life local marine ecologist Neo Mei Lin, the story highlights the vital yet often-overlooked role giant clams play in oceans. The book is the second title in the Earthkeepers series, which aims to educate young readers about the unsung creatures safeguarding the environment. Neo previously praised Cheng’s drawings in an interview with The Straits Times, noting that they were “spot on” in capturing a marine scientist’s work.
