Read! Fest 2021 – go on a fun-filled reading adventure on the event’s first multi-sensory self-guided literary trails!

Organised by the National Library Board (NLB) as an extension of Read! Fest 2021, the literary trails build on this year’s theme of ‘Reboot!’ by inspiring the public to consider fresh perspectives and face challenges in life.

The literary trails offer a self-directed and interactive experience, which can be enjoyed with the family or in small groups in line with the ongoing COVID-19 precautionary measures in Singapore.

Titled “The Curious Adventure of The Salaryman”, participants will be led on a journey by a digital protagonist, navigating his own adventure to reinvent himself. Daring explorers can embark on an immersive reading experience by scanning the QR codes on the uniquely designed art installations.

These installations depict the different stages of the Salaryman’s journey, its sensory elements, and quotes from four recommended English titles in Read! Fest.

Begin your journey at these starting points:

• West Coast Park: Beside McDonald’s restaurant
• East Coast Park: Beside East Coast Lagoon Food Village
• National Library Building: Plaza at level 1

All three trails will end on 31 October 2021.

Station 1

Participants are introduced to Gerry the Salaryman and learn of his predicament at this station. Begin the trail by scanning the QR code on the installation, which will launch a chatbot to chat with Gerry.

Participants can check out the quotes and excerpt pop-ups within the chatbot, and bookmark them to review after the trail.

Station 2

Gerry needs to contact the Big Boss Man, but the signal on his phone is terrible. Participants will find clues at Station 2 on how they can help Gerry disrupt his tiresome routine, and kick start the adventure with him.

Station 3

Retrieve the first token at Station 3, which looks like a seemingly normal MRT trail ride in a colourful and quirky world. Look out for the Chill Tortoise and an augmented reality feature during the ride.

Station 4

Gerry sends the participants an audio clip of his terrible inner voice that discourages him every time the going gets tough.

Rearrange the words at Station 4 to unlock some positivity for Gerry and retrieve the second token.

Station 5

The final challenge takes place in a lopsided house, where Gerry is able to channel his learnings from the trail into unlocking the final token.

Station 6

Participants can check out the ‘rebooted’ Gerry at the final station and enjoy the scenery while they are at it.

At the end of the trail, participants can download an exclusive Telegram Sticker Pack and review their bookmarked excerpts from the Provision Shop section in the landing page.

As the literary trails are designed to be self-guided, physical contact is minimised and participants will be able to access all resources digitally through their mobile devices.

All participants are also strongly encouraged to wear masks at all times, maintain safe distancing and abide by the prevailing COVID-19 precautionary measures at all times, while participating in the trails.