Merry Natalis Invicti
Christmas, one of the most extravagant and famous holidays of the year. December 25th is a day filled with laughter, presents and love. But how did Christmas become Christmas? How did this festival come to be the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ? How was Christmas celebrated in the past, and how has the past affected the present?
Festivals Without Borders: The Cultural Tapestry in Singapore
Where can you find glittering Christmas lights twinkle beside the soft, warm glow of red lanterns? In Singapore, it is a familiar sight. Streets come alive with doors draped in Christmas wreaths, the rhythmic energy of dragon dances, children in Halloween costumes weaving past homes bright with Deepavali colours, and markets overflowing with festive treats from every culture imaginable. Here, holidays coexist; they overlap, mix and evolve seamlessly, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry that is unique.
The Blinded Side: How the White Saviour Trope has Shaped Cinema
By Shams Tlili Introduction “Freedom Writers” is a 2007 film recounting the story of American teacher Erin Gruwell. Receiving majorly favourable reviews and praised for …
Where Christmas Meets the Tropics: Fiji’s Festive Traditions
While a typical “white Christmas” is associated with snow, fireplaces, and America’s favourite evergreen trees, Fiji is centred on Christian worship, with special church services, nativity plays, and carolling filling Christmas Eve and Day. Christmas is one of the three most significant holidays in Fiji, rooted in the early Christianization of the islands and evolving into a versatile festival of togetherness, food, and fellowship.
Goodbye Hawkins: A Final Look at the Duffer Brothers’ Last Stand
10 years of production, 42 episodes, over 50 credited performers, and a budget of $480 million on season five alone. Stranger Things has certainly evolved. From its beginnings as a dubious proposition, rejected countless times by numerous networks, to shaping a devoted fan base driven by their appetence for nostalgia and the innovative spin the show takes from conventional storytelling. The Duffer Brothers were able to span the multigenerational divide with the program’s meticulous recreation of the 1980s, depicting the era’s aesthetics, music, fashion and making artful allusions to the pop culture at the time.
Lunar New Year: New Beginnings Cloaked in Red
The history of the Lunar New Year started about 3000 years ago, with a beast named “Nian (年)”, which means “year” in Chinese. According to Chinese mythology, the beast would attack villagers with its sharp teeth. The beast resembles a lion, a unicorn, and an ox since they share similar features.
The Evolution of Henna Through Time
An art form, a culture, an expression of identity, just one plant incorporates all these beautiful meanings. Just one brown paste provides jobs, joy, and enriches culture.
How Coca-Cola Has Redefined Santa Claus
By Diya Harish Holidays are often defined as timeless occasions which are rooted in culture, faith and family. Yet many of the traditions that we …
Why Is Japan’s Christmas a “Second Valentine’s Day”, and What Are Its Other Traditions?
Japan is known for its unique take on Christmas – a secular, commercial, and romantic holiday. But what are its origins? Why is it celebrated as yet another Valentine’s Day? Today, very few Japanese are Christian, mainly due to the historic policies of the ruling shogunate, which saw Christianity as a political threat to its authority and national stability, leading to its brutal suppression and a nationwide ban for over 250 years.
Behind the scenes of CIS productions: Insights from the people who make it happen
By Stella Hansen If you know anything about or have seen the musicals at CIS before, you would know that they are not only extravagant …
The Psychological Impact of Music
We are all aware of our anxieties and concerns, which grow as the progress through secondary school continues. Concerns about assessments, as well as the frequent changes that secondary school entails, follow us throughout our school days. Everyone requires a coping method to deal with stress and change, and different people employ various strategies.
Sunburn and the Weight of Desire and Repression
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth invites you into the sweltering world of Crossmore, an Irish Catholic town so quaint it’s almost claustrophobic. For Lucy and her tightly-knit group of friends, it comes alive in the summer, during long days spent sunbathing and long nights where the town’s pretty young things gather for the space of a few bottles.
Why Belly fails as the protagonist of the summer I turned pretty
With the themes of first love, heartbreak, friendship, and grief, The Summer I Turned Pretty has all the ingredients for a moving teen drama. Yet, instead of being swept up in belly’s journey, many viewers were left frustrated by her choices and questioning how the supposed heart of the story became its weakest link.
The Artistic History of Emotion: Processing The New Year Through a Creative Lens
New Year’s are universally recognised as fresh starts, an empty calendar, or rather canvas waiting to be painted with uncharted ambitions, emerging responsibilities and ultimately, novel difficulties. It’s a strange yet greatly assimilated notion. One could have endured a harrowing year of persistent struggles, but as the clock strikes midnight on the 31st, for many, it’s as if all is renewed, and they’ve been granted a new chapter in their life’s stories.
The Queen Who Couldn’t Rest: The Legend of Anne Boleyn
It’s Halloween season, and the days of sharing stories of the supernatural have returned. One such tale is that of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII.
Minimalism vs Expressionism: A Grand Debate
By Mali Martel Simonetti Art, being a profoundly subjective field of study, invites a kaleidoscope of approaches and perspectives from artists around the globe. According …
Summer may be over… but brat summer sure isn’t
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, “Brat Summer” is a term coined by the internet, derived from the smash-hit Brat album produced by Charli XCX, an innovative, half-desi, singer, songwriter, and producer. Described by USA Today as “an embrace of a hot-mess pop star aesthetic, prioritising club culture at its core,” Brat Summer is essentially playing with the very relatable idea of ‘fun and dirty’ according to ’80s and ’90s experiences, mixed with Millennials’ and Gen-Z’s ideals in 2024.
5 Classics to Watch This Fall
By Liana Martin The beginning of fall marks a time of change. Leaves begin to fall, days become shorter, and the sticky summer wind is …
Chappell Roan: Redefining Music and Empowering Society
By Jacob Goldstein Chappell Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, is one of this generation’s popstars. Specializing in cross-genre style pop, rock, and electronic music, she …
I Wish Men Were Real – Baldur’s Gate 3 Bachelors
All Baldur’s Gate 3 romance options.
SHOSTAKOVICH: A SYMBOL OF ARTISTIC DEFIANCE
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Victor Hugo’s words may as well have been an understatement. Music is the voice for the mute. Melodies are the colours for the blind. It lifts spirits and sparks revolutions. With such power that it wields, it is also feared.
I Wish Men Were Real – Westley from The Princess Bride
The movie The Princess Bride (1987) is considered a cult classic, and in my biassed opinion, is easily one of the best movies ever.
Why the Percy Jackson TV Show is a Bit Disappointing
Though Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a beloved series, the movies are infamous for being one of the worst book-to-movie adaptations,
The Anime Adaption of the Best-Selling Manga of All Time
I knew anime adaptation would be great. However, for the number of things the show did correctly; there were an equal number of things done wrong.
I Don’t Know, It’s a Mystery!
By Samaira Kalia For me, reading is something I do every day and something I can do for hours. I’ve read fiction and non-fiction, fantasy …
Star Trek: The Limits of Utopia
Star Trek, since the beginning of its inception, has always been a franchise revolving around crafting “the ideal future”; the depiction of human civilization as having transcended the terrestrial maladies of our history.
Darondo: An Artist Revived
Discover Darando’s journey of untapped potential, vibrant artistry, and enduring influence, a testament to his timelessness
The Simpsons’ ‘Predictions’ aren’t actually Predictions; Here’s Why
STOP SAYING THAT THE SIMPSONS PREDICTED THE FUTURE!
The Corset Controversy
For years, the corset has spurred conversations within the fashion community, representing ideas of oppression, power and femininity.
The Barbie Movie
Barbie tells the story of a “Stereotypical Barbie”, who traverses into the real world, and discovers the complexity of womenhood.
Saudi Arabia: Setting sights on World Cup 2030
Why is such a seemingly small footballing country like Saudi Arabia suddenly paying so much attention to football?
The Mistreatment of the Eteri Girls
Predators have always been lying in plain sight, yet we have rarely thought to consider predators lying in the athletic world.
The Dangers of Method Acting
The method that once sparked admiration is now seen as a mechanism to fear; the supposed “technique that got Heath Ledger killed”.
Ben’s Bollywood Corner: Swades
Ben’s Bollywood Corner continues with Swades, a film exploring the relationship between Indians who live overseas to their native country.
Amsterdam: Perfect Mix of Tenderness and Complexity
Amsterdam discusses the notions of love and the pain of society as a whole while simultaneously telling an engaging and complex story.
The Perils of Stardom
Why do all ‘the Greats’ have the earliest demise? Maybe these stars just burned so bright, they had to fade out?
The Beauty of Improvisation
Much of music can be taught in lessons, but there is one aspect of being a musician that isn’t taught. Improvisation.
In the Rear End of the Most Scandalous Chess Lawsuit
What warrants a $100 million dollar lawsuit against some of the most influential chess groups? Allegedly, anal beads.
McCartney, Dead or Alive?
The 60s is arguably one of the most iconic decades in terms of arts & culture, and notably, Beatlemania in 1964.
The Projector’s Peculiar Fall Pictures
The independent theatre establishment ‘The Projector’ had been screening films decades older than the average age of its patrons.
Ben’s Bollywood Corner: Zindagi Na Milegi Review
Through this series, I will be watching Bollywood films that have been suggested to me, and I will talk about what they were like.
Guns n’ Roses: Is It Time to Retire?
Is Guns n’ Roses, a band that had definitively defined a previous generation, the answer to represent this one?
Scene Unseen
Scene Unseen is a documentary that explores Singapore’s underground music scene that was prevalent in the 80s and 90s.
Best Halloween Candy to Cop
We at The Print believe there is a hierarchy of the most loved (or hated) halloween candies, and we’re here to tell you why.
Midnights: Bop or Flop?
Taylor Swift’s newest album is about reflecting, not reinventing. But was it worth the wait or is it dead weight?
Federer’s Elegance Through Stoicism
Tennis is known for the violent outbursts of its players. But even in his last rally, Federer remains as stoic as ever. How?
5 Spooktastic Things to Do This Halloween!
There are many opportunities for Halloween-goers this Halloween, check out these top 5 attractions if you love a good scare!
The Importance of Expressive Writing
Many things remain unspoken, hidden in our psyche’s far and dark shelves. There is a tool that helps with this — expressive writing.
From Stage to Screen: Westside Story
Westside Story reintroduces itself to a new generation of audiences through this Spielberg remake. But is it better than the original?
Haw Par Villa’s Contemporary Problems
Har Paw Villa, also known as Hell’s Muesum, is a popular attraction for Singaporeans. However, the future of it is uncertain.
Attack on Titan Final Exhibition: Calm Before the Storm
The Attack On Titan Final Exhibition commemorates the ending of the bittersweet, ambiguous anime that has impacted the lives of millions of its viewers.
This is Home: Songwriting Analysis
Music is a very important form of media. It is a way to express opinions and to express ourselves. Writing lyrics is a major part of this medium. Although It is still possible to write a good song with absent or inadequate lyrics, they can help bring a song from decent to amazing. Cavetown’s ‘This is Home’ and show you how you can construct a song’s lyrics in order to create your own meaningful portrayal of your intended themes.
How a Fake Chess Automaton Managed to Trick the Entire World for 84 Years
In 1770, The Turk, the automaton chess player, shocked the world with its abilities. Many people have attempted to beat it, but alas, failed. Word quickly spread to Europe, and it eventually made its way to the Americas.
The Award for Best Slapdown Goes to…
As the Oscars ceremony was in full swing, comedian Chris Rock took the stage to present the award for best documentary, leading to a staggering turn of events.
The Issue with The Riddler
The Batman did a phenomenal job in capturing the darker aspects of the character, along with the immersive cinematography and soundtracks which enhanced the experience. But is it really all that great? Brought to you by the writer of our Shang-Chi review, Zachary Cui. Our journalists also provided their own thoughts on the film.
Eating Air: The Singaporean Cult Masterpiece Returns
A film that is almost unheard-of staple of Singaporean cinema.
Life Lessons From a Man From Space
Roughly a century ago, when the Saturnians arrived on Earth to deliver a prophecy of human exodus to the cosmos, they selected an exceptionally disciplined young man named Herman as not only their prophet but as their protégé.
The Long Misconstrued Intentions of Alternative
Alternative music had long been revered and discussed heavily throughout previous decades, whether it would be taking on the form of obscure slam-beat poetry or obfuscating noise, brewed from the abnormal whims of artists to create something innovative.
Why Shang-Chi is An Imperfect Film
In a period of heavy inclusivity, where even colossal companies need to break free of the stereotypical tropes to be reckoned by the public eye, Shang-Chi presents itself as a misguided film that doesn’t represent the Asian culture fully nor fulfills the expectations of a Marvel movie.
The Daily Damage
There has been much debate sparked from the topic of classical music and its effect on heavy metal music. We will analyze some famous metal pieces to uncover the hidden classical elements from the perspective of music theory.
You’re Missing Out if You Don’t Own a Caracal
Caracals in modern terms are simply ‘built different’. They encompass everything you would want in a pet, whether you’re looking for a cute cuddly pet or a burly guard dog.
Why is Wagyu Beef so Expensive?
Wagyu beef, also known as the king of steaks, is the most expensive piece of beef money can buy. Made in Japan, a single cow can cost as much or more than $30,000. This high price is due to the care and the treatment of the cows, giving the most tender and fatty steak you can get.
The Case of Britney Spears’ Conservatorship
The #FreeBritney movement started in April 2019 and raised tons of awareness of Spear’s situation all throughout the world.
Met Gala, Stereotypes, and Scandals!
Hot or not? Read our opinions on the best and worst Met Gala 2021 looks! Stereotypes in popular media that you’ve probably overlooked: Why are they harmful? Are these big accusation of famous celebrities true? Find out!





























































