Chinese Arts and Cultural Appreciation in the Heartlands
October 14, 2008
Since Nov 2007, Asian Journeys have had the privilege of partnering Bethesda Care Centre in proving arts and cultural consultancy to programmes organised by the centre staff for the residents of Hougang neighbourhood around block 574 and 603.
Asian Journeys’ speakers Lawrence Ko and Daniel Tan have enthralled the community with stories, anecdotes and historical narratives derived from China as well as Southeast asian history and folklore as we learn about the cultural diversity in Singapore.
From the Chinese festivities during the Lunar New Year to the spirit of remembrance of departed loved ones at Qingming, to Quyuan’s patriotism and Mulian’s filial love for his mother in the netherworld, the speakers employed Chinese poetry, the wisdom of sages and excerpts from classical texts to explain the significance of the Chinese festivals and customs.
Indian and Malay cultures and customs were also introduced to help us appreciate the various ethnic festivals and the underlying religious teachings and practices. Video clips of Indian and Malay performing arts also brought the Tamil sopranos and sounds of Malay dikay barat and gamelan music into the sessions. Thank God for the power of media today!
From western art history to asian cultural festivals, the participants from the community appreciated what art and culture is all about, drawing from resources around us in daily living.
This series of Chinese arts and cultural talks is an attempt to help bring art and culture closer to the ground so that heartlanders may appreciate the truth, goodness and beauty which surround us in our daily lives.
In Nov 07, Asian Journeys also organised a public talk at the YMCA with a local Chinese writer Mr Yuan Dian as the key speaker to address the challenges of encouraging Chinese literary writing and reading in Singapore. Not surprisingly, half of the audience comprised of China nationals who were either in graduate school here at the universities or were already working professionals.
We welcome friends and interested partners to work together as we collaborate to till the cultural soil of Asia and continue to sow and plant seeds for the next generation.
Picture left:
Asian Journeys’ ED Lawrence Ko, Mr Yuan Dian, Rev Yu and AJ’s Assoc Director Daniel Tan… at the Chinese Cultural Talk held at YMCA