On 19 October, the 7th edition of the “Cultural Heritage Walk” took place at Kreta Ayer Square. Jointly organised by Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), the event attracted around 400 students from 13 secondary schools, providing an up-close experience of Singapore’s rich and diverse cultural heritage beyond the classroom. Guest-of-Honour, Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for the Ministry of Education and Manpower, attended the event and joined the students in exploring this cultural journey.
The 7th edition of the “Cultural Heritage Walk” attracted close to 400 student participants.
Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for the Ministry of Education and Manpower, interacting with students.
This year, the event featured 12 cultural organisations, offering a deeper insight into local traditions and historical transformations. Participants explored heritage sites such as Beijing Tong Ren Tang, Singapore Hok San Association, Tea Chapter. The organising committee also specially invited Masjid Jamar and Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple from the non-Chinese community. This provided students with a meaningful opportunity to experience the rich tapestry of Singapore’s multicultural heritage firsthand. 。
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- Students immersing themselves in the art of lion dance, a traditional cultural skill, at the Singapore Hok San Association.
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- Students appreciating tea art and relishing the fragrance of tea leaves at Tea Chapter.
Professionals from Kong Chow Wui Koon led students in learning the dance steps of Cantonese opera and experiencing the gracefulness of the opera.
Students engaging in a hands-on experience with kuai ban (a form of rhythmic folk art used to complement oral storytelling performance), as they immerse themselves in the charm of traditional folk art.
Volunteer guides from the B2 Group of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Chinese Studies
Beyond exploring Singapore’s rich cultural history, the Cultural Heritage Walk aims to spark a passion for learning Chinese among the students. Mr Thomas Chua, President of SFCCA, emphasised in his speech that this event used Chinese as the primary language of communication, providing students with an opportunity to engage with the language in an immersive and informal setting. He also encouraged the students to recognise the practical applications of Chinese in daily life and to appreciate the joy and value of learning the language through vibrant cultural activities.
Mr Thomas Chua, President of SFCCA, giving a speech.
Ms Gan Siow Huang also noted that the event provided students with the opportunity to visit religious sites of different ethnic communities, deepen their understanding of various cultural and historical backgrounds of dialects, while fostering deeper knowledge and acceptance of diversity. Furthermore, the event created more opportunities for students to use Chinese, further sparking their interest in the language and its cultural heritage.
Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for the Ministry of Manpower and Education and the Chairman of CPCLL, delivering a speech.
The participants left with valuable insights and lasting memories from this enriching cultural journey. This event was not only a learning opportunity but also a cultural exchange, where students from different backgrounds found common ground through shared traditions. Looking ahead, SFCCA plans to organise more initiatives to engage the younger generation, offering them a broader cultural perspective and inspiring them to preserve and innovate traditional heritage.
