Commemorating past cultural leaders of Singapore's Chinese community

Sixty cultural pioneers from the Chinese community in the Republic are honoured in a new exhibition commemorating the nation's diamond jubilee.

Among those celebrated are artist Georgette Chen, comedians Wang Sha and Ye Feng, historian and educator Hsu Yun Tsiao, poet Khoo Seok Wan and Chinese-language newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau chief editor Lien Shih Sheng.

All sixty individuals had significant achievements in either academia, commerce and the media, or in literary, performing or visual arts.

60 Prominent Cultural Figures from the Chinese Community, as the exhibition is called, was launched on March 6 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Singapore Conference Hall at Shenton Way.

It is co-presented by SCCC, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations to commemorate Singapore's 60th year of independence.

The exhibition features 60 standees and text in English and Chinese which will be on display at both venues till Nov 30. Entrance is free and open to the public from 9am to 10pm daily.

It will also be adapted into panels to travel across multiple locations including malls and libraries from June.

SCCC said the celebrated individuals paved the way for the cultural torchbearers who came after them.

Mr Alvin Tan, chief executive officer of SCCC, said at the launch: "We hope to encourage those who come after them to build on the foundations laid by these pioneers, and to inspire new generations of arts and cultural practitioners and groups to bring their art forms to new heights, and contribute to a thriving arts, culture and heritage ecosystem in Singapore."

Historian Kua Bak Lim, who is adviser to the exhibition, said he spent about six months shortlisting the 60 individuals from over 1,000 potential names.

"This is a first-of-its-kind exhibition focusing on cultural personalities," said Mr Kua.

"Famous personalities like pioneers Tan Tock Seng, Tan Kah Kee and Tan Lark Sye are intentionally excluded from the selection criteria, but scholar businessmen Lim Boon Keng and Lee Choon Seng are included because they also contributed to Singapore's cultural landscape."

The exhibition kicks off SCCC and its partners' calendar of SG60 events for 2025.

Already, 18 arts and culture programmes are planned for the year, but the calendar is still growing, said SCCC's Mr Tan, who hopes to attract over 450,000 visitors.

These events include a travelling exhibition on the history and cultural impact of Nanyang breakfast from April to September, a musical titled Legends: Journey to Singapura by homegrown arts group Reverberance in April, and a National Day singalong event in August.

There will also be a local drama play titled Tok Tik Tok - Singapore River Rhapsody by Young People's Performing Arts Ensemble in March to narrate the story of Singapore River. The performance uses "kuaiban", a traditional Chinese performance art that combines dialogue, rhythmic clapping and music.

Another highlight will be SG60 Weekend: A Community Celebrates from June 27 to 29. This will be a series of arts and cultural programmes, including a musical tribute to Singapore by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

The events will take place in SCCC and other locations.

Mr Tan said SCCC hopes to function as a central community hub for Singaporeans to support local arts and culture groups.

"By commemorating SG60 together, SCCC and our partners are answering the call to step forward as one and to showcase how far our local Chinese arts and culture sector has progressed since our nation's independence."