Clementi is one of the busiest neighbourhoods in Singapore. It is also one of the neighbourhoods that is steeped in history. The National Heritage Board (NHB) is creating Heritage Activation Nodes (HAN) across Singapore. The second HAN is in Clementi with the first being Katong. I know what you are thinking… “What is a Heritage Activation Node?”
The HAN is an NHB initiative which seeks to provide opportunities for the community to participate in and co-develop projects aimed at celebrating the heritage of their neighbourhoods.
Wait, that does not make much sense. Yes, I know. I lifted that from the NHB’s website at this link: https://www.nhb.gov.sg/what-we-do/our-work/community-engagement/han-heritage-champions/about-heritage-activation-nodes
Basically, NHB has been going around the various neighbourhoods of Singapore and looking at which neighbourhoods are worth showcasing their heritage. You know, the older stuff. How the neighbourhood used to look like. In Clementi’s case, how it looked like before that ginormous mall popped up. Also, there is an Eng Wah Cinema with 10 movie halls (that was what I was told). If there is an extremely popular movie and you are struggling to get seats, you can always try this cinema.
Ok so first up, at 10 am on 10th September, we were invited to a briefing in Clementi Community Library. This was a briefing on the Our Clementi Home launch festival happening this weekend, the 13th to 15th of September 2024.
Oh, and it’s a collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
They developed an app that will take you through a guided tour.
I think it is really interesting what the polytechnics are coming up with. If you want to take a look at what they developed, you can access this link: https://3soups.github.io/JourneyX/
That was what the QR code brought up. It is an interactive application which takes you through various checkpoints around Clementi.
I must say, I am genuinely impressed with what polytechnic students can come up with. My company paid this tech company to develop applications for our work; they cannot even do half of what these polytechnic students can produce.
Oh and the students came up with a board game, sort of, on the wall in the corner of the Clementi Community Library.
ChannelNewsAsia was also there?
Ngee Ann Polytechnic students, I am impressed…
Now for the tour around Clementi.
I like the way the tours by the NHB are run. They give you these receivers with an earpiece. The presenter can be a few metres away and you can hear what he or she is presenting.
A student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic presented to the media. I do not think I had that level of poise at her age. Our younger generation is doing impressive things.
This is a mural done by the students. So many people walk past this en route to Clementi MRT Station.
Perhaps scan the QR code to learn more about the mural?
Next up, we had a guided tour by MyCommunity. I believe they are a non-profit group that runs guided tours around Clementi and other areas. You can sign up for their tours on EventBrite.
Here is their link: https://www.eventbrite.sg/o/my-community-8432912044
I can share some of the checkpoints but I should not say more. Want to learn about these landmarks? Join their tour!
Oh this shop is almost as old as I am. It has been here since the 1980s.
The tour includes knowing the people who run these businesses in the area.
Fabric all around. According to the owner, students, families and hobbiest visit her shop for all types of fabric. She spoke about her business with great vigour. She is passing on the business to her children who will be the 3rd generation in the family running the brand.
Food is always a key component in a community.
This curry puff is very popular.
These are the owners. There is no pork or pork lard used. Only chicken. They let everyone try their curry puffs. I did not have any as I am vegetarian but the rest of the members of the media said that the skin of the puffs were very thin and crispy. Very different from typical curry puffs with a thick crust.
A test shot with the HONOR Magic V3. Looks appetising enough? Looks thin and fluffy.
This is another popular stall.
Empress Cinema. Remember this anyone? It became Eng Wah Cinema and now it is WE Cinemas by Eng Wah.
Thank you to NHB for the invite. I am always grateful to attend these events. Singapore is constantly modernising, constantly changing, constantly clearing out the old and building something new. However, we need to learn what was one before. It is important and I thoroughly support such initiatives. If I can bring just a handful of people to this weekends Our Clementi Home Clementi Lauch Festival I would have done my little part in sharing a part of Singapore’s heritage.
If you do not know what to do this weekend, drop by Clementi!
Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis
Yours sincerely,
Daryl
