11 fascinating activities to check out during Singapore Heritage Festival 2020: Digital Edition

Delve into the lesser-known stories behind Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Ris and Kallang

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp

Ji Xiang Confectionary — Photograph: National Heritage Board

Time Out Singapore in partnership with National Heritage Board

Thursday 18 June 2020

Advertising

Singapore Heritage Festival is taking over our living rooms this year. Organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB), the annual island-wide festival is a celebration of Singapore's heritage and culture. Past editions have seen activations across various locations around the city with heritage trails, tours, open houses and performances. This year, however, NHB is taking the celebrations online from June 19 to July 5. The first digital edition of the Singapore Heritage Festival features over 80 programmes that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your couch.

Explore three vibrant neighbourhoods – Tanjong Pagar, Pasir Ris and Kallang – like you've never seen them before through online tours, digitally commissioned works, food demonstrations and more. Dive into lesser-known stories of Tanjong Pagar’s 5 Kadayanallur Street, one of Singapore’s first modernist buildings. Easties should listen to stories of grand resort vacations during the late 19th century, when swanky seaside bungalows belonging to the wealthy dotted the Pasir Ris coastline; or tune into a podcast that highlights various animals that make up the ecosystem of Pasir Ris Mangroves. Finally, follow the adventures of Police Coast Guard retirees who were based in the former headquarters in Kallang Basin. If you think you knew everything about Singapore, these programmes will help you see the neighbourhoods in a new light.

We've rounded up the most exciting programmes you shouldn't miss at the Singapore Heritage Festival 2020: Digital Edition. For more information, visit heritagefestival.sg.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Tanjong Pagar

Dear Tanjong Pagar

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 19, 12pm

Dear Tanjong Pagar delves into the stories of heroes from the precinct's past, including tales of rickshaw coolies treading the streets, nurses of St. Andrew's Mission Hospital caring for poor women and children, teachers of Umar Pulavar (Singapore’s first Tamil-medium high school), opera singers from popular opera theatre Lai Chun Yuen, and the Baweanese community of Pondok Peranakan Gelam Club.

This animated and interactive feature teaches us about moments in our history that have helped us progress as a nation whilst inspiring us to forge a path forward towards a fair and more meaningful future.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/dear-tanjong-pagar

Open Business @ Ji Xiang Confectionery

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 20, 1pm

If you love the colourful traditional Chinese snack, ang ku kueh, then this programme's for you. Join an intimate sharing by Kelvin Toh, the second-generation owner of award-winning Ji Xiang Confectionery, which has been a mainstay at Block 1 Everton Park since it was first established in 1988. In fact, the family-run business is one of the pioneering stalls in Singapore to introduce new flavours beyond the traditional peanut and sweet bean paste, with a total of eight unique flavours today.

In the sharing session brought to you live from the store, find out how the ang ku kueh grew to become one of Singapore’s most loved snacks. Also, hear what the owners have been doing to keep the business running despite these challenging times.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/open-business--ji-xiang-confectionery

Cantonese Confectionaries with Tong Heng

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 20, 2pm

Fans of Tong Heng's iconic diamond-shaped egg tart should tune into this exclusive live sharing session by Tong Heng Delicacies and Chuan Ji Bakery, now helmed by third- and fourth- generation owners. For the first time ever, the people behind the two bakeries will share their experiences managing their heritage bakeries.

Join this sharing session hosted by Ana, a fourth-generation member of the family business, and get behind-the-scenes knowledge on how this iconic pastry is made since the business started in 1935. The business has also expanded its offerings to include various well-loved Chinese pastries and desserts, including its Peach Gum dessert, which you can attempt to recreate at home with the recipe shared during the session.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/cantonese-confectionaries-with-tong-heng

Open Business @ Tea Chapter

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 21, 1pm

Are you a tea person? If so, here's a programme you shouldn't miss. Open Business @ Tea Chapter invites you to a live intimate sharing session in Singapore's oldest tea house. Step into one Tea Chapter, which boasts a history of over 30 years – with an emphasis on the age-old art of Chinese tea appreciation.

Second-generation owner Mr Fund Lee and long-time staff will share their journeys growing with the teahouse. So follow their journey with tea and learn about how Tea Chapter has adapted with the times.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/open-business--tea-chapter

Pasir Ris

Pasir Ris, Rise and Shine

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 26 onwards

Now known as a resort town by the sea, Pasir Ris has an intriguing past. Learn more about this coastal town through this engaging mini-theatre series which explores the splendour of Pasir Ris' past through unknown stories – from being a vacation spot for Singapore's affluent to its reputation for commercially producing Toddy, a milky white alcoholic drink that comes from the sap of the flowering shoots of the coconut.

The five-part online mini-series will be performed by ACT 3 International, one of Singapore's leading Arts companies.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/pasir-ris-rise-and-shine

The Tattling Toad

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 15 onwards

While it's known as a concrete jungle, Singapore is also home to a rich biodiversity – as witnessed in Pasir Ris Park. Join the Herpetological Society of Singapore (HSS) in their very first podcast, created to promote an awareness of Singapore's bio-diversity. Follow them on an exciting virtual night tour around Pasir Ris Park and its mangroves and meet the park's residents – including amphibians and reptiles that are integral to the ecosystem.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/the-tattling-toad

Sambal Food Art Workshop

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN June 27, 11am

Spice things up with a unique Sambal Food Art Workshop, helmed by two Singaporean ladies who are passionate about their food and art. Pound your very own fresh sambal with Fareena Mehr Omar, a home chef well-versed in traditional Malay cooking. During the live workshop, she will demonstrate how three different delicious sambals can be made in 15 minutes, and the best pairings with keropok and accompaniments.

After which, the second part of the workshop will be held by Carlyn Law. The artist, illustrator and food lover will guide you in sketching basic shapes of chillies to create a vibrant Sambal Recipe Art poster in watercolour. The recipes and a list of art materials will be provided before the workshop.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/sambal-food-art-workshop

Kallang

Hello Kallang! Mini Series

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN From July 5

Beyond being the home of the National Stadium and a popular spot for sporting activity, Kallang has a lot more to offer. This three-part mini-series looks at different facets of the area's development through the years. Don't miss the chance to see the former Police Coast Guard HQ at 5 Stadium Lane through the eyes of a Police Coast Guard retiree. And of course, get acquainted with an iconic 25-storey blue metal cylinder, the Kallang Gasworks. The iconic landmark was established in 1864 and powered the whole nation.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/hello-kallang-mini-series

Kallang: The View from Fire City

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN July 5 onwards

Here's a lesser-known fact: Kallang is a neighbourhood surreptitiously nicknamed "huay sia" in Hokkien dialect, which translates to "fire city", in the event that Kallang Gasworks exploded.

Go on a whimsical journey with Sweet Tooth and explore two sides of Kallang in this immersive experience, where you get to choose your own journey – whether it's the giddy and innocent side of Kallang with re-imaginings of Wonderland Amusement Park and The Oasis, or adventures from our Police Coast Guard and Kallang Airport. Enjoy Kallang: The View from the Fire City recalls places and spaces of the past to reflect upon and cherish the present state of the neighbourhood.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/kallang-the-view-from-fire-city

Kway Guan Huat's Live Popiah-making Demonstration

Photograph: National Heritage Board

WHEN July 7, 2pm

The iconic Singapore wrap is not the burrito, but the popiah, a local delicacy well-loved throughout generations. And there's no better authority to learn the art of making popiah from than the owners of Kway Guan Huat, one of the popiah pioneers in Singapore. The session covers the history of popiah and the shop's heritage, followed by a live demonstration by Kway Guan Huat's popiah master. Witness first-hand the traditional art of making the dough and popiah skins, the recommended components of a good popiah, and the best techniques to wrap the perfect roll.

heritagefestival.sg/programmes/kway-guan-huats-live-popiah-making-demonstration

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

🙌
Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!