Professor Tommy Koh, Chairman, NHB,

Mr Michael Koh, CEO, NHB

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentleman,

Introduction

For the last decade, this building was occupied by the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). I remember attending the opening in 1997, and being happy this old Tao Nan school building had been put to such good use. The ACM has since moved on to larger premises at Empress Place. But I am delighted to be back here again today, this time for the opening of Singapore’s newest museum – the Peranakan Museum.

Peranakan Museum – Showcasing Peranakan Culture & Heritage

Southeast Asia has long been at the centre of cross-currents and interactions all over Asia. For centuries, Chinese and Indian traders have visited ports of call in the region to trade silk, spices, porcelain and other items. Many traders married the locals, settled down, and started families. Their descendants came to be known as Peranakans – from the Malay word “anak” or offspring.

From the mid 19 th century, Singapore began to be a focal point for the different Peranakan groups across Southeast Asia. Straits Chinese Peranakans came here, initially from Malacca and later from Penang. The community steadily grew and established itself. In addition, Jawi Peranakans (descendants of Indian Muslims) and Chitty Melaka (descendants of Hindu traders from the Coromandel Coast, in South India) also established their own communities in Singapore.

The Peranakans combined different elements of the local culture, and incorporated practices from their original civilisations. The result was new and unique cultures of fusion food, lively music, colourful textiles and vibrant designs. The Peranakan Chinese, for example, adopted aspects of Malay culture, particularly food, dress and language. So guests at a Peranakan Chinese wedding ceremony would sing and dance to Dondang Sayang in Baba Malay. The Peranakan women would chew betel nut, and wear the nonya kebaya and beaded slippers, kasut manek.

All these distinctive and fascinating aspects of Peranakan culture will now be captured in this museum. Presented from a pan-Southeast Asian perspective, it will have the most comprehensive Peranakan collection in the world, including beadwork, ceremonial necklaces, embroidery, furniture, porcelain, as well as everyday objects that offer a glimpse into the life of a Peranakan family, from its food and fashion, to its aesthetics and rituals. It will also be a living showcase, with photos and video footages of the different Peranakan groups today in their contemporary settings.

By focusing on a culture unique to this region, the Peranakan Museum will complement our other museums, and carve out a niche for itself internationally. It will also provide a platform to engage other Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia, and thus promote regional exchange and dialogue. More importantly, the exhibits here will provide links to our own past, which will help Singaporeans to develop a keener appreciation of our history, and remember who we are, and where we came from.

Vibrant Arts and Cultural Scene in Singapore

The Peranakan Museum is part of our broader plans to grow and nurture a more vibrant arts and cultural scene in Singapore. Over the years, we have established our city as a key node in the global economic network. We enjoy high international standing because of our world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce, and reputation for reliability and efficiency. But to stand out as a truly distinctive global city, Singa­pore cannot be just an economic marketplace. We must also create a living environment that is the best in Asia – a city rich in culture, that exudes our own Singaporean brand of diversity and vibrancy.

This is an ambitious goal, but we have made good progress towards it. The iconic Esplanade is already recognised as a world-class venue for the performing arts. Our museums have received enthusiastic reviews. They attract a growing stream of visitors, both local and international. For example, the ACM has in just a few years gained international recognition for its programming and its curatorial rigour. Since its renovation, the National Museum has been a big draw for museum-goers, with its innovative use of IT and contemporary programming. Today, we add the Peranakan Museum to our network of sparkling civic and cultural institutions. And in a few years’ time, we can look forward to the National Art Gallery, which will be home to some of the finest Singaporean and Southeast Asian art.

To complement our investments in infrastructure, we are also strengthening our arts software and building up our cultural capital. Major e vents like the Singapore Arts Festival, the Singapore Biennale and the Singapore Season are putting us on the world map for artistic exchange. We are also strengthening our cultural linkages with other countries, and bringing in artefacts and collections from all over the world. The recent exhibitions of the Nalanda Trail and San Xing Dui ( 三星堆 ) bronzes at the ACM, and the exhibition of Greek masterpieces from the Louvre at the National Museum, were major successes, popular with both Singaporeans and tourists.

Progressively, these efforts will transform Singapore into a global city for the arts and culture. Indeed, the world is noticing – media articles and analyst reports are describing how vibrant Singapore has become, and what an attractive place it is to live in. I notice that the Peranakan Museum has already made a small splash, with a good write-up in the International Herald Tribune yesterday. All this will generate significant economic spin-offs, from retail to tourism, to the development of our own creative industries. But more importantly, it will provide Singaporeans with a rich cultural life, nurture the sense of pride in our heritage and history, and strengthen our identity as a nation.

Conclusion

The lively arts and cultural scene we see in Singapore today could not have come about through the Government’s efforts alone. Our culture and heritage are a shared resource, and a collective responsibility. I am therefore happy that our companies, foundations, individuals and community organisations are doing their part, and contributing generously towards this endeavour. This Peranakan Museum itself is the fruit of such combined and cooperative efforts, involving the private, public and people sectors. I congratulate the Board of Directors and staff of the National Heritage Board, and your stakeholders, on the opening of the Peranakan Museum, and wish you all every success in the exciting years ahead.