Imagining Asia

Despite widespread recognition that we are living in an era of mass globalization, there hasbeen a startling resurgence of nationalism in many regions of the world. Alongside thisdevelopment, many new national museums are being built or refurbished, pointing to thecritical role the telling of history plays in processes of building national identity. From newmuseum construction to the re-purposing of colonial monuments, and from essentializednarratives to spaces which encourage visitors to dream, this book explores thedevelopment and influence of national museums in three contemporary Asian societies –Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau.