Key Concepts
Singapore Heritage Festival, Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Living Heritage, Hawker Culture, Kebaya, Gai, Chinese Opera, UNESCO Inscription, Safeguarding Heritage, Accessibility, Fusion of Old and New.
Singapore Heritage Festival 2024: Focus on Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Singapore Heritage Festival (SHF) is an annual event that highlights Singapore's intangible history. This year's festival, the SG60 edition, is larger than previous years, featuring over 100 programs with more than 90 partners. The thematic focus is on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), or "living heritage," inspired by Singapore's UNESCO inscriptions of Hawker Culture in 2020 and the Kebaya in 2024.
Recommended Festival Programs
Kazim Karim from Heritage SG recommends three programs:
- Home Ground Experience (Gardens by the Bay): A one-stop shop featuring an exhibition, weekend performances (starting May 4th), a makan village, and a makers village. Workshops and drop-in activities are free, but food is available for purchase.
- Creative Hub (Peranakan Museum): Offers in-depth workshops on garland making and Jamu (tonic drink) preparation, with more than eight workshops available.
- "Out of the Red Box" Theater Performance (Kreta Ayer People's Theatre): A Chinese opera production that blends Gai with Teochew opera, featuring English subtitles.
"Out of the Red Box": Gai Meets Teochew Opera
"Out of the Red Box" is a theater production by ETC that combines Gai (鬼戏) with Teochew opera. Gai traditionally occurs during the lunar seventh month (Hungry Ghost Festival) and involves singing performances for ghosts. The production aims to recreate the Gai performances from 20-30 years ago, before Chinese opera became prevalent. The performance includes English subtitles to make it more accessible to a wider audience, including those who do not understand dialects. The production also blends Thai songs into Chinese opera to make it more fun, relevant, and relatable.
Intangible Cultural Heritage: Definition and Significance
Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) encompasses practices, cultures, and festivities passed down through generations. It includes performing arts and traditions sustained and safeguarded by the current generation. UNESCO recognition of Hawker Culture and the Kebaya is significant because it encourages Singaporeans to continue practicing these traditions and find ways to safeguard them.
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage
Safeguarding ICH involves various methods, including:
- Attending festival programs
- Understanding the programs
- Sharing photos and information on social media (e.g., Instagram)
- Workshops
- Performances
- Documentation (e.g., YouTube videos)
These activities help to promote and preserve living heritage, allowing it to evolve and grow over time.
UNESCO Inscriptions: Hawker Culture and Kebaya
- Hawker Culture (2020): Encompasses not just the food itself but also the making of it, the practices, and the beliefs associated with Singapore's hawker food culture.
- Kebaya (2024): Includes everything involved in creating the Kebaya, from the physical dress to the associated traditions and craftsmanship.
Accessibility and Fusion
Making ICH accessible to a wider audience is crucial for its survival. Providing English subtitles for performances like "Out of the Red Box" allows non-dialect speakers to appreciate and understand the art form. The festival also promotes a fusion of old and new, blending traditional practices with contemporary elements to keep them relevant and engaging.
Public Interest in Heritage
A heritage awareness survey indicates that over 93% of people in Singapore express interest in their own heritage and culture. This high level of interest is encouraging and highlights the importance of initiatives like the Singapore Heritage Festival in preserving and promoting ICH.
Conclusion
The Singapore Heritage Festival 2024 emphasizes the importance of Intangible Cultural Heritage and its role in shaping Singapore's identity. By showcasing diverse programs, promoting accessibility, and encouraging public participation, the festival aims to safeguard living heritage for future generations. The fusion of old and new, combined with efforts to document and share these traditions, ensures that Singapore's cultural heritage remains vibrant and relevant.
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