Celebrating with Words—the soul of a nation
Dear Reader,
As Singapore celebrates her 61st year of independence, this 70-year-old wishes ourselves greater growth.
Growth not in economic, structural terms, but further development of our written heritage. For the physical will be upended by further changes, but the writings of our people—be they poetic, fictional or academic—should always have a place on our mental and spiritual shelves.
Words are foundational to almost every thought that results in beautiful art, dance, music, scientific advancement or architectural splendour. Hence it is essential that reading, analysis and application of words and thoughts be promoted relentlessly.
Together with other Singaporean niche publishers, Ethos Books has tried to play a little part in watering the hard ground of general disinterest and even sometimes, official disdain. In rekindling our collective memory of some seminal works written in the last three decades, we are re-publishing, as the first of the Ethos Classics series, A History of Amnesia by Alfian Sa’at.
Like Edwin Thumboo’s Ulysses by the Merlion, we believe Alfian’s exploration of Singaporean identity, state history, political memory and marginalised voices will be worth bringing again to readers’ attention. For readers who have been born and bred here, or even our friends in neighbouring lands, for we indeed have much to share and protect. For all peoples’ welfare.
Wai Han, a grandma
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