It seems not too long ago when Singapore was barely more than a fledgling independent state, filled with dirt paths, kampungs, and a vibrant population of diverse cultural roots. As we progressed and our forebears settled into new residential developments, they brought that communal kampung spirit along with them, infusing these new towns with the bustling warmth of tightly-knit communities.
Evolving alongside the country’s modernisation, these neighbourhoods gave birth to the Singapore Heartlands.
From 28 November 2021 – 18 February 2022, celebrate the hidden gems and sense of community in our beloved neighbourhoods with the inaugural Heartlands Festival. Organised by the Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore, supported by the Federation of Merchants’ Associations Singapore, and Enterprise Singapore, the festival brings us on a 3-month discovery of the treasures yet to be discovered in our heartlands.
Enjoy food and shopping deals at our HDB towns and neighbourhood centres as you participate in the festival’s myriad of exciting online and offline activities. From food challenges, shopping contests, to photo trails, be a part of its enriching events and stand a chance to win attractive prizes from weekly lucky draws and various other activities!
As part of the festival, the Heartlights Xperience Trails are a series of 5 different discovery trails filled with light-ups, food stops, photo installations, and illustrations of their unmistakable mascots – beloved heartland Otters.
These trails will take us on an experiential journey across the island, through Bedok Town Centre, Tampines West, Yishun Central, Ang Mo Kio Central, and Yuhua in Jurong East, completing the Otters’ round-island illustrations! Don’t forget to collect snaps of your expedition on each trail’s pop-up installations as you rediscover Singapore.
Bedok’s trail walks us through a typical suburban town built in the early stages of Singapore’s development before arriving at Bedok North’s 216 Food Centre and Market Association for some foodie pleasures, and ending at FATCAT Ice Cream Bar for a much-deserved refreshing dessert.
Tampines’s trail highlights the beauty of hidden heartland cafés with a stop at Three’s A Crowd for coffee, before taking in the serene ambience that strolling along Bedok reservoir offers. The trail closes with a drink at Burp Kitchen and Bar.
Over at Jurong, the trail begins at Yuhua Hawker Centre and ends with a picturesque date along Chinese Garden, while Ang Mo Kio’s trail concludes with us at Bishan Park Skating Rink, where an exciting session of inline skating is highly recommended.
Meanwhile, follow Yishun’s trail to learn about unique facts and the history of Yishun at the Yishun Town Museum, or drop by Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre for plant-based offerings and find out more about how they help the youths of today. The trail then finishes at Yishun’s Futsal Arena, where we can book an evening of sweat and fun at the next session with our buddies!
The Heartlands Festival 2021 is a journey through Singapore’s shared identity and the rediscovering of heart-warming gems (and food!), along with the unique inspiring stories that tie us together and make us distinctly Singaporean.
Keep up with the festival’s latest updates on Instagram @heyheartlands or visit http://www.heartlandsfestival.com/ for more information.
