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or many people in the northern hemisphere, the month of October may be associated with everything from falling leaves and harvest time to autumn parades and feasts held in crowded beer gardens.

In Singapore, however, the mood steers visitors and residents alike toward a rekindling of romance and the enjoyment of life’s little pleasures. The city-state also offers plenty of opportunities to embark on your own journey of learning and refinement.

Our cultural journey will most likely commence from the landmark National Library, which never seems to run out of programs to help educate one on their way to sophistication. One such program is the Autumn Celebrations art exhibition running from Oct. 10 to 16, 2010, at the Level 8 Promenade.

The not-so-ordinary art showcase features calligraphy and ink works alongside watercolors, ceramics and photographs by many esteemed “senior” Singaporean artists aged between 50 and 90 years old. These include selections from the repertoire of renowned Cultural Medallion receiver Lim Tze Peng (artwork pictured).

Meanwhile, downstairs on the first floor of the library, today’s cutting-edge artists and architects invite you to find urban bliss at ArchiFest.

The installation exhibit explores the possibilities of developing cities into “apparatus for happiness” through use of public places and structures that will foster a sense of community and warmth among the inhabitants.

Also displayed is an exhibition by Singapore’s master architect Tay Kheng Soon, which emphasizes “courage, curiosity, clarity, compassion and creativity” in architecture.

ArchiFest runs from Oct. 15 to 19 at the National Library Plaza. Both it and Autumn Celebrations are open to the public for free. Visit www.golibrary.nlb.gov.sg for a lot more on what the library has to offer.

It is perhaps fair to note that while the rest of the world makes toasts with their beer mugs at Oktoberfest, the more refined of us prefer a sip of vintage wine instead.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out Carrefour’s Wine Fair at Suntec City (which ends today), Loof Sky Bar on North Bridge Road is inviting wine-loving friends to join its New Zealand Wine Twilight Taste Tour on Oct. 16.

The event combines wine education with fun tasting by first starting the afternoon with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a “Beyond Masterclass” class session at the Intercontinental Hotel from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The excitement then continues on Loof’s rooftop bar, where a “Twilight Taste Tour” of more than 40 delicious New Zealand wines (served with tantalizing food accompaniments) will start from 6 p.m. onwards. Find out about registration details on www. nzwineevents.sg/consumer-events

It’s only fitting to see that our journey of refinement should end where modern civilization first began and flourished.

The National Museum of Singapore (www. nationalmuseum.sg) gives visitors the chance to glimpse the behind the scenes of daily life in the Roman times through an exhibition that starts on Oct. 16.

“Pompeii: Life in a Roman Town” is a showcase of objects unearthed from Pompeii over the decades that tell of the city’s vibrant and affluent residents before the city fell prey to a violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in South Italy in 79 A.D.

Highlights from the exhibit include body casts of victims, some gladiator gear, a mosaic fountain and frescoes from the House of the Golden Bracelet. Don’t miss it, and enjoy all the extra knowledge and refined intellect!