My Community Festival seeks to help participants gain new perspectives of everyday places through heartfelt stories of the many communities in Singapore.
My Community Festival (MCF) is a ground-up community heritage festival returning for its second edition from 10 September - 3 October 2021. So what is community heritage? It is the little traditions practiced around us that we may or may not have noticed, and My Community Festival hopes to spark a newfound appreciation for everyday spaces, and fuel more explorations into the community to uncover the hidden sides of Singapore.
With over 40 community-led different activities, tours and workshop happening around the island, it is difficult for us to showcase everything in a single article. To get a better appreciation of what is being covered, do visit the My Community Festival website.
Different Programmes For Different Interests!
The activities are grouped into different programmes, and there is something for everyone in My Community Festival 2021, no matter their interest. We highlight a couple of activities that might be of interest to families in each programme.
*Bookings and more details can also be found on My Community Festival.
Welcome to My Island Home
Explore one of the most exclusive locations in Singapore with the My Island Home tour, which takes you to the sandbanks of Pulau Hantu that only appear for 10 minutes every month. Besides this rare peek at Pulau Hantu, participants can also discover more about the Southern Islands (such as Kusu Island and St John’s Island) from current and former villagers, who will share stories of their lives and the various communities on the islands.
- Welcome to My Pulau Hantu with Richard Kuah
Date: 5 Nov (3.30pm - 7.30pm) / 6 Nov (4pm - 8 pm)
Fees: $50
The fleeting wonders of nature exist in our Urban City too. Boasting a rich biodiversity which reveals itself for only 10 minutes each month, discover Pulau Hantu’s stunning intertidal zone with a citizen scientist.
- Welcome to My Pulau Ubin
Date: 11, 12, 18 & 19 Sep (8 am - 11 am)
Fees: $50
More than a place for cycling, learn all about the kampong life in Pulau Ubin! Speak to the different islanders as they show you a different face Pulau Ubin and how the island has transformed over the years.
Cuba Gula-Gula Saya
Take a tour around the world as you visit traditional sweet makers who will show you how sweets from different countries are made! Step into the homes and communities of 13 home bakers and heritage sweet makers and have a taste of some of our nation’s most popular desserts and hidden gems such as Russian Blini and Japanese Wagashi. Participants can also try their hands at making these sweet treats!
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Gula Melaka Chiffon Cake with Cheng's @ 27
Dates: 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Sep, 2, 3 Oct (2 pm - 3 pm)
Fees: $20
Did you know that chiffon cake is often considered Singapore's national cake? A homage to our local ingredients, textures and flavours, find out the ingredients and stories that make Dawn’s aromatic gula melaka chiffon cake.
- Eurasian Sugee Cake with Carol Drysdale-de Mello
Dates: 25 Sep, 2 Oct (2 pm - 4 pm & 4 pm - 6 pm)
Fees: $20
Join home baker, Carol, and try your hand at whipping up her perfect sugee cake from a recipe passed over 3 generations! Find out how her cake also brings her family together and the stories they have together.
Meet My Craftsman
You’ve seen these cultural items around Singapore, but have you ever wondered how these items are made? From songkoks to joss sticks, hear from traditional craftsmen as they share stories of their trades, and what keeps them going. Try your hand at age-old crafts such as stone engraving, knife sharpening, garland making, pottery, traditional joss stick-making, lantern-painting, rangoli design, Peranakan beading and more.
- Garland Maker R Jayaselvam from Anushia Flower Shop
Dates: 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Sep, 2, 3 Oct (2 pm - 3.30 pm & 4 pm - 5.30 pm)
Fees: $40
Join Mr Selvam, in an intimate workshop of garland-making and speak to him about his craft, the use of flowers in Hindu rituals, and his flower business as a way to connect with his family.
- Tombstone Engraver Raymond Toh from Toh Hong Huat Trading
Dates: 12 Sep, 3 Oct (10 am - 12 pm)
Fees: $40
Discover the dying craft of tombstone engraving with Mr Raymond Toh! Speak to him about how he has lived through the technological changes to his industry and how artistry and craftsmanship remains at the core of our stonemasonry even with more mechanised processes.
- Songkok Maker Hj Abdul Wahab Bin Abdullah from Songkok SG
Dates: 11, 12, 18, 19 Sep, 3 Oct (10 am - 12 pm)
Fees: $40
Join the last songkok maker in Singapore, Mr Abdul in who will be sharing more about this vanishing craft. Speak to him about the heart that goes into his work and the decades-long relationship Mr Abdul and his family has with songkok-making.
- Lantern Painter Jimm Wong
Dates: 18, 19 Sep (10 am - 12 pm)
Fees: $40
Join Mr Wong as he shares about the history and origins of Chinese lanterns and demonstrates how he beautifies his larger-than-life lanterns for the upcoming mid-Autumn Festival.
My Rhyme and Rhythm
The performing arts culture in Singapore has so much to offer — be inspired by the dedication and passion of performers from L’arietta Productions, Sri Setia Pulau Singa (Wayang Kulit), Flamenco dancers from Flamenco Sin Fronteras, and more, and relish in their captivating performances!
- Kelantanese Wayang Kulit with Sri Setia Pulau Singa
Dates: 26 Sep, 2, 3 Oct (2 pm - 3.30 pm & 4 pm - 5.30 pm)
Fees: $30
Discover the unique storyline, music and puppets with the Kelantanese wayang kulit! Learn all about Sri Setia Pulau Singa and the larger world of Malay performing arts in Singapore.
- Eurasian Folk Dance with the Eurasian Association
Dates: 18 Sep, 2 Oct (4 pm - 6 pm)
Fees: $10
Enter the world of Eurasian dance with its playful rhythm and beautiful graces. With its simple steps and catchy tunes, this is a dance that everyone is sure to enjoy!
- Getai with Liu Ling Ling
Dates: 17 Sep (8 pm - 9.30 pm)
Fees: Free via Zoom
Join the bubbly and energetic Liu Ling Ling and her family of getai performers in this virtual performance that will show you that Getai is more than its extravagant costumes and catchy tunes!
A Day in the Life of My...
Every Singaporean has a story to tell. There’s often more than meets the eye to the work that others do. Go behind the scenes and find out the hard work that goes into running our island home!
Each of these webinars sounds interesting! Best part is that they are free and are held at 8 pm - 9 pm via Zoom on the respective days.
- A Day in the Life of My Estate Worker (25 Sep): Find out how our estate cleaners are keeping our neighbourhoods clean with Monir and find out his stories and experience as an estate cleaner!
- A Day in the Life of My Community Nurse (19 Sep): Get a glimpse of Antoinette who shuttles between Community Health Posts (CHPs) and home visitations to ensure that the care needs of all members in the region are always met!
- A Day in the Life of My Zookeeper (12 Sep): Beyond the day-to-day care of the zoo animals, follow Poh Shan as she takes us through a day in her life as a zookeeper with the Wildlife Reserves Singapore!
- A Day in the Life of My Member-of-Parliament (18 Sep): What do our MPs do on a daily basis? Catch Member-of-Parliament Louis Ng in action as he works tirelessly to ensure the welfare of both his constituency and family!
- A Day in the Life of My Hawker (26 Sep): Our bustling hawker culture has attracted many youths with big aspirations to spread their love for bringing food to our tables. Take the chance to chat with National Service friends turned hawker-preneurs, Syafiq and Farhan as they take you through the highs and lows of the F&B industry.
My Prayers and Practices
Find out more about the many religions that make Singapore one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Visit places of worship of all 10 major religions in Singapore – such as the Zoroastrian House, Russian Orthodox Church, Singapore Jain Religious Society, Palelai Buddhist Temple – and find out more about little-known religious practices.
After Hours @ My Community
Back by popular demand, join us as we find out what happens in Singapore’s heartlands at night. Go on a women-inspired tour along Bras Basah, see Bukit Brown cemetery come alive with stories from the past, or tour around heartland neighbourhoods like Jalan Besar, Geylang and Toa Payoh. Learn about their heritage stories and see what it is like for these communities while the rest of the country unwind and sleep.
Sunrise @ My Community
Singapore is a bustling city, even in the early hours of the day. Join us and uncover a side of Singapore that is only seen by the early-risers – start your day right by catching our beautiful sunrise, and revel in the joys of community activities such as bird singing, Qigong and sunrise photography.
Sunset @ My Community
Join Singapore’s very own community of Sunset chasers and find out what got them started, and what these breath-taking views of nature mean to them. Catch these beautiful sunsets on a tour at Woodlands, Dakota, the Singapore River, and Queenstown.
Calendar of Events
To get your tickets and to discover more of what is happening at the festival, head over the the Calendar of Events where you can search by date and filter by interest group too!
*Photo Credits: My Community Festival
