Joo Chiat Crowned First Heritage Town

Heritage Hits Town

Baba Edmond Wong shares the birthing process of Singapore’s first Heritage Town

It was about five years back when I began campaigning for Singaporeans to acknowledge that we do share a common culture. Such a campaign needed to have an achievable aim. Consequently, a plan was hatched to create a Peranakan Street in Singapore, since our culture has unifying elements shared by all Singaporeans.

Before an actual proposal could be formally drawn up, it was necessary to first educate and gain sufficient awareness for the cause. In early September 2008, an online petition to create a Peranakan street was placed on social networking site Facebook. Fortuitously, a few months later, Mediacorp broadcasted their Little Nyonya hit drama series and the online petition was inundated with supporters. Gaining much traction, the original vision for a single street quickly evolved into one for a full-fledged Peranakan Town.

In late 2009, I was introduced to The Peranakan Association, Singapore (TPAS) and was invited to assist with The Peranakan Festival. I realised that TPAS, with its dedicated members who all share a passion for Peranakan culture, would be the ideal driving force in making the vision for a Peranakan Town in Singapore a reality. I have found great support in TPAS for this aim, and after more than a year’s work together, am ecstatic to say that our dream has achieved fruition.

The perfect opportunity presented itself on October 23, 2010 when the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced their keen interest to look for a historical location within Singapore to promote a greater sense of community bonding and belonging through active participation and ownership of our culture and heritage as Singaporeans. A proposal was eagerly submitted through the Joo Chiat Community Club as the area has long been associated with Peranakans, many of who have lived in the district for three or more generations. After much anticipation, we received a reply on February 19, 2011 confirming that our proposed venue had been selected as Singapore’s first Heritage Town!

Moving forward, TPAS will play a significant role in public outreach and education projects via close collaborative efforts with the authorities and grassroots organisations. With Joo Chiat as a base, we aim to revitalise the spirit of our culture and heritage amongst youth. TPAS will utilise popular communication channels including online initiatives and direct collaborations with institutions of learning, to inculcate our youth with a sense of culture. A calendar of events that will cover aspects of material culture, culinary excursions and arts performances should further enhance Singapore’s image as a global city with history and soul amongst the general public.

Join us today and play a significant role in promoting culture and heritage! We welcome all youths to participate in our activities. Your support will ensure that Peranakan culture stays relevant and contemporary. Membership is for a lifetime and requires an affordable one-time only payment – see http://www.peranakan.org.sg for more details.