Singapore-Style Speakers' Corner

Now better known as a venue for complainants and the aggrieved, Hong Lim Park actually has a long-standing history of hosting varied activities. It was originally named after Thomas Dunman, the first Superintendent of Police, but in 1876, it was re-named Hong Lim Green to honour the affluent businessman to whom the land belonged, Cheang Hong Lim.

He donated the land for public use, and it has served as a recreational area in the middle of Chinatown, playing host to the storytelling tradition started during the World War II. It was also used as a cricket ground by members of recreational clubs like the Singapore Cricket Club in the 1950s.

In the 1960s, Hong Lim Green once again played host to storytelling albeit in a different fashion when wayang (Chinese opera) was performed on stage for free in front of crowds of hundreds. It was also the venue of political speeches and election rallies in the 1960s.

With another name change in 1960 to Hong Lim Park it underwent a refurbishment that incorporated facilities like a children's playground, a fountain and an open-air theatre, which cost about S$173,000.

In 2000, the government selected this park as the only venue for legally-staged public protests as an homage to its history of hosting storytelling and political speeches.