“I think being on site in some of the cultural areas and interacting with practitioners in heritage businesses is one way to really find out more and understand the culture of the different precincts and communities. So that firsthand experience of being in those precincts and interacting with people who work there, who have heritage businesses, I think that is very valuable.”
- Mr. Brian Lee, a member of the National Heritage Board and the Peranakan Museum
Mr. Brian Lee
What will happen to your home, your culture, and your tradition once you leave? Will it vanish as if it never existed? Will it turn into ashes as it ages? If it weren’t for the National Heritage Board (NHB), this could have been the result of many places that we cherish. From museums to houses, and cultural practitioners to events, NHB positions itself at the forefront of protecting our culture.
One of the groups that benefits from the NHB is the Peranakans (descendants of early Chinese and foreign immigrants who married local Malay or Indonesian women). Despite minimal awareness among modern Singaporeans, the Peranakans have coexisted with us for years. Therefore, the NHB aims to draw attention to the community’s unique practices with ground-up initiatives. During our conversation, Mr. Brian Lee, a member of NHB, walked me through how the NHB works with the Peranakan community and ethnic enclaves to promote their crafts and revive their businesses (such as by providing financial funding). Furthermore, the organization administers the “Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage” award to recognize the cultural practitioners.
While the NHB is a governmental agency (which can make it seem isolated and distant), it opens up pathways for community participation in preserving culture. Beyond organizing museum visits, the NHB hosts programs, volunteering opportunities, and interactive workshops all across Singapore. Interestingly, expats and Singaporeans with an international background are highly sought-after for these volunteering opportunities, since museums often look for multilingual docents.
The act of appreciating a culture doesn’t only have to be done by its specific community or those with a close familial background; ; it can be embraced by anyone, as long as one has an open mindset and an eagerness to learn. To ensure that the diversity of Singapore continues to flourish, please visit https://www.nhb.gov.sg/ for upcoming opportunities.
National Heritage Board
150 Beach Rd, #36-08 Gateway West, Singapore 189720
