Daily Lessons from Life 29 September 2014 - Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to offer programmes for all

HLP Updates - Roy Ngerng issues apology over carnival disruption: Teo Ser Luck AsiaOne Monday, Sep 29, 2014.

GOOD on you Roy for issuing this apology that must be sincere, unreserved and unequivocal! You must behave better than your foes whom you supposedly chewed up for not behaving properly!

MOS Teo has scored some points for his demeanour in this situation too. Interesting match up if Roy is pit against him in the next GE, assuming Roy is going into politics!

Notes: Q. did Roy hijacked Ms Han's organized HLP event? :-)

"Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to offer programmes for all - CNA 29 September 2014

SINGAPORE: A ground-breaking ceremony for the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) was held on Monday (Sep 29). Due for completion in 2016, the 11-storey centre along Shenton Way will host activities such as arts and cultural performances, conferences and exhibitions.
SCCC said it will offer resources and host programmes for anyone interested in the culture of Singapore's Chinese, whether they are new immigrants to Singapore or members of other races.

CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Mr Choo Thiam Siew said: “Our activities must not only be catered to the Chinese. We are a facilitator, we can be a catalyst and we will definitely reach out to non-Chinese to come and look at the programmes we offer."

"A lot of the issues are in understanding the art or understanding the Chinese. So, it is for us to explain to them why they must come. And I am sure that our local artists, whatever race they may be, are already working together,” he added.

This is reflected in the centre's design, which factors in existing structures and monuments around it, such as the multipurpose Singapore Conference Hall. Mr Lesley Lim, director at DP Architects, said the design is inspired from traditional Chinese architecture. He added that it was not derived so much in terms of conventional forms or motifs, but in the subtlety and spirit of its heritage and culture.

"We need to create an identity that is not just Chinese, but more unique to Singapore. It has to be relevant and meaningful to Singaporeans, overseas Chinese, as well as the general public," said Mr Lim.

Though under construction, the centre will start organising and co-organising events and activities with local arts and cultural groups to strengthen community ties."

I look forward to this in 2016.

Lessons for me are:

1. every race-based cultural thingy must be to help others to understand that particular race in multi-racial, multi-culture and multi-religious Singapore. That should be a GIVEN;

2. while each race should be proud of their own heritage and uniqueness, it must be done without trying to 'put down' other races' cultural heritage. In fact, diversity is essential to bring out the vibrancy and uniqueness of Singapore cultural landscapes!;

3. it will be interesting to see how the 'new migrant's Chinese culture' will influence the 'existing Chinese culture from a migrant of a generation ago' as Singapore Chinese evolves! Will it be a merger of better or worst? i.e. will the existing Chinese culture absorb ALL the GOOD THINGS the new Chinese migrants have to offer or the 'not-so-good or BAD' culture of the new Chinese migrants' 'corrupt' the existing Chinese culture?

I bet for the former to prevail.