A Glimpse into the Past

Singapore is set to host the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival on May 17 and 18, a vibrant showcase of cantonese heritage and culture. The festival, organized by Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (KWSPST), a 155-year-old cultural institution, promises a rich tapestry of artifacts, performances, and culinary delights.

Among the highlights are past artifacts, including a century-old statue of Guan Gong, the Chinese god of war, wielding his battle blade, and a charcoal portrait of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen from over 100 years ago. These items offer a tangible connection to the past, providing visitors with a unique glimpse into the lives and legacies of early Chinese settlers.

A Feast for the Senses

Beyond the artifacts, the festival boasts a diverse program of performances, including Cantonese opera and music, lion dance, and martial arts demonstrations. These performances are designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, offering a dynamic and immersive cultural experience.

No cultural celebration is complete without food, and the Peck San Theng cultural Festival does not disappoint. Visitors can look forward to a Cantonese food showcase featuring culinary delights such as dim sum and Samsui chicken rice, providing a flavorful taste of Cantonese cuisine.

Preserving Culture for Future Generations

The festival’s primary goal is to ignite interest in conventional culture, especially among younger generations and non-Chinese communities.Dr. Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival, emphasized this mission:

Our ultimate goal is to use the festival as a platform to encourage more people, especially the younger generation and non-Chinese, to take an interest in our traditional culture.
Dr. Yee Wai Seng,vice-chairman of the festival

Dr. Yee also highlighted the broader vision of Peck San Theng:

At the same time, it serves to promote Peck San Theng as a cultural and educational hub.
Dr. Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival

A Site Steeped in History

The festival is located at Peck San Theng in Bishan Lane, a site with a rich and complex history. Much of Bishan New Town stands on KWSPST’s old cemetery,which was built in 1870 by Cantonese and Hakka immigrants from Guangzhou,Huizhou,and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province,China. This cemetery served as the final resting place for over 100,000 Chinese immigrants.

the name “Peck San Theng,” meaning “jade mountain pavilions,” refers to the pavilions on the burial site that served as locality markers and shelters for visitors. In 1979, the government acquired the 131-hectare burial ground for the progress of Bishan, a name derived from the Peck San theng chinese cemetery.

Following the acquisition, the government leased 3.2 hectares of land to KWSPST, which now houses a columbarium available to all Singaporeans, two temples, an office building, and a heritage gallery. The heritage gallery is open to the public by appointment and offers a deeper dive into the history of the site and its significance to the Chinese community in Singapore.

The Heritage Gallery: A Treasure Trove of Artifacts

established in 2018, the 560-square-meter heritage gallery houses a rich collection of artifacts, including funerary objects recovered from the Bukit Brown Cemetery. The gallery is currently undergoing a revamp to better showcase its extensive collection, ensuring that these historical items are preserved and presented in an engaging manner.

The gallery also conducts visits for student groups, providing educational opportunities to learn about the tales and legacies of Singapore’s early Chinese settlers. KWSPST frequently collaborates with grassroots and community groups to host guided visits and cultural exchanges,fostering a sense of community and shared heritage.

Dr. Yee emphasized the inclusive nature of KWSPST:

We have opened our gates, both literally and symbolically, to people from every dialect group, ethnic community and nation, fostering dialog, mutual understanding and the collective celebration of shared heritage.
Dr. Yee Wai Seng,vice-head of KWSPST’s heritage gallery

Support from the singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations

The Peck San Theng Cultural festival is the first project to benefit from increased funding from the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). In January, the SFCCA announced that its members would receive more financial support to organize activities, expanding a fund designed to promote Chinese culture.

The SFCCA raised the cap for applications to its Clan Associations Cultural Activities Fund from $2,000 to $7,500. Clans that collaborate on joint projects have a higher chance of receiving more funding. For clans organizing events independently, the funding limit has also been raised from $2,000 to $5,000.

The SFCCA, which has approximately 250 member associations, has seen a threefold increase in applications for the fund as the proclamation. A spokesman for the SFCCA stated:

the initial response is encouraging, and we remain optimistic that more clans will leverage this funding opportunity to develop meaningful, forward-looking projects that safeguard cultural heritage.
SFCCA spokesman

The spokesman added that the peck San Theng Cultural Festival aligns strongly with the SFCCA’s mission to promote and celebrate Chinese culture and is one of the larger-scale events within the clan community.

Looking to the future

Ms. Sharon Woo, a member of the festival’s organizing committee, sees the festival as a springboard for KWSPST’s future efforts in cultural and heritage outreach:

From hear, we will get to know what people like, and can curate more captivating exhibitions and programmes that also shed light on our past.
Ms. Sharon Woo, a member of the festival’s organizing committee

KWSPST has invited grassroots organizations, schools, and othre community groups in Bishan to attend the festival, hoping to attract Singaporeans to learn more about its rich history and culture.

KWSPST president Ho Kwong Meng noted that other clan associations have organized similar festivals for Teochews and Hokkiens, adding:

There are diverse talents among our 16 member clan associations. We should use this platform to showcase our cantonese heritage and unity, and I hope this becomes an annual tradition.
Ho Kwong Meng, president of KWSPST

Event Details

• What: peck San Theng Cultural Festival
• Where: Peck San Theng, 50 Bishan Lane, Singapore
• When: May 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: Free (food is chargeable)