SINGAPORE — Museums often showcase cultural and historical objects, but in a Singapore first, a new community gallery in Kreta Ayer aims to reflect the area's intangible cultural heritage, such as Chinese opera and the Chinese tea ceremony.

Kreta Ayer was a settlement for early Chinese immigrants to Singapore, and became famous for the vibrant Chinese cultural arts scene that emerged as a result of the Chinese opera troupes, and art and music associations that took root there.

Now, the National Heritage Board (NHB), working with the Kreta Ayer Community Club, has set up the Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery, filled with objects, photographs and personal effects to bring to life the rich cultural history of the area that still lingers on today.

To be open from this Sunday (July 14), the gallery features contributions from cultural heritage practitioners and former residents — about 170 photographs and artefacts have been received so far.

Contributors include: Ms Joanna Wong, a Cultural Medallion winner and veteran Cantonese opera artist; Mr Yong Cheong Thye, an award-winning calligraphy artist; and Nanyin musical group Siong Leng Musical Association.

Mr Yong, who opened his gallery in Kreta Ayer in 1985, lent some of his calligraphy for display in the hope that his work will “allow visitors to gain an understanding and appreciation of Chinese calligraphy, as well as of Chinese cultural heritage as a whole”.

Award-winning calligraphy artist Yong Cheong Thye hopes his works on display at the museum will allow visitors to appreciate the ancient art. Photo: National Heritage Board

The gallery is arranged according to five intangible cultural heritage elements: Chinese opera, Nanyin music (which has its roots in the Fujian province of China), Chinese puppetry, Chinese painting and calligraphy, and tea drinking and appreciation.

Notable items on display include photographs dating back to 1975 that set the scene of the popularity and dynamism of Chinese opera, and a score book with 300 original compositions, protraying the music created by the late Nanyin visionary Teng Mah Seng. 

Mr Alvin Tan, NHB’s deputy chief of policy and community, said that the gallery is a step towards making “elements of our intangible cultural heritage tangible”.

“Through our programming, we hope to allow visitors to experience these intangible cultural heritage elements and the culture behind them. At the same, we hope to accord recognition to intangible cultural heritage practitioners and involve them as our programming partners, so as to facilitate the transmission of their respective intangible cultural heritage elements.”

Admission to the Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery is free. It is located at the newly upgraded Kreta Ayer Community Club along Kreta Ayer Road in Chinatown.