Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

            Good evening.

I am pleased to be here tonight to launch the Singapore HeritageFest.

City of Festivals

2                    Some say Singapore is a city of Festivals.  From the Arts Festival to the Food Festival to WOMAD[1], Singaporeans celebrate with gusto.  We celebrate our ethnic and religious diversity with big festival events such as the Christmas Light-Up, the Deepavali Light-Up, the Hari Raya Light-Up and the River Hong Bao. There are also cultural festivals such as the Chinese Heritage Festival and festivals organised by The Esplanade in conjunction with the major ethnic festivals like Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali, each celebrating the arts and culture of the individual ethnic groups. No festival can claim to celebrate our multi-culturism, diversity and heritage at one go in a big way.  I am glad the National Heritage Board and partners have come together to put up this 10-day festival to celebrate Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage in all its forms. 

3                    We are known for efficiency, pragmatism and our business-like approach towards everything.  Sentimentalism sometimes has to give way.  When it comes to a softer aspect such as heritage and culture, it is quite common to hear people asking what value has heritage, that we need to pay so much attention to it.  The answer is that heritage is important at two levels – at the level of the Singapore society and at the individual level.

Heritage - understanding Racial Harmony

4                    At the societal level, understanding of the heritage, culture and religions of our own ethnic groups and others foster acceptance, tolerance and appreciation.  Having a deeper understanding improves communication among the various ethnic groups and prevents misconceptions and false beliefs.  Racial harmony is the cornerstone of Singapore’s stability and progress.  For the past decades, we have enjoyed racial harmony. Three out of five Singaporeans were born after 1965 and may take racial harmony as a given. But it takes a lot of effort to maintain this state of affairs.  We commemorate Racial Harmony on 21 July each year lest we forget and so that the younger generations get to know and understand the importance of racial harmony.

5                    The tragic consequences of lack of understanding of our own and others’ heritage, culture and beliefs are seen in racial clashes elsewhere. 

6                    We need to learn and understand our heritage, the culture and beliefs of the various ethnic groups to withstand the external forces that could drive our people apart and uphold our principles of equality and racial harmony.

Heritage –Economic Opportunities

7                    At the individual level, there are considerable benefits to be reaped if we have a good and deep understanding of our own and other’s cultures.  Much has been said about the immense potential of China and India.  Southeast Asia can enjoy the spillover of their rapid climb up the economic ladder if we grasp the opportunities.  There are vast business opportunities for Singaporeans – only if we retain our cultural links.  It is not enough to speak the language; one has to know and understand the culture or one will be lost in the mesh of economic opportunities open to those who know how. 

Heritage – Bonding Families and Nation

8                    At the personal level, heritage enriches our lives and make us whole, beyond just digits in the economic framework, contributing to the economy.  Many traditions, which we have been following without giving them a second thought, become more meaningful with understanding.  Some values or creeds long held might warrant a review if we understood their origins and the circumstances under which they developed.  There are also values which we want to reinforce such as filial piety, respect for elders, putting family before self and loyalty to friends, family and nation, which are found in all our cultures, irrespective of Chinese, Malay, Indian or Eurasian.  These anchor us in times of stress and uncertainty.  They help bind families in heart and soul, and to pull the nation together in times of crisis.

9                    The Singapore HeritageFest, with something for everyone, can help bring families and friends, old and young together.  To help the bonding among people and generations, one way is to tell stories. It is sad that the oral tradition of passing down values and heritage for generations is lost.  Let’s bring it back again. The museums, libraries and heritage events like the HeritageFest, are places to source for our myths and legends or Asian tales.  There are also your personal stories to share with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Through the sharing of life experiences, we can help communicate and pull the family together.

10               Corporate citizens, sponsors and partners of the National Heritage Board that have come forward to contribute to this event – we thank you.  Through your contribution, you have helped not only to oil the economy, but also to bring meaning to people’s understanding of our heritage. 

11               My congratulations to the National Heritage Board for organising this exciting festival that I hope will in time become a must-see and do event for the year.

12               Thank you.

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