Katong-Joo Chiat, with its multicultural heritage, colourful shophouses and heritage restaurants, is the setting for the first Heritage Activation Node (HAN), a National Heritage Board (NHB) initiative.
Each HAN will enliven a neighbourhood’s unique heritage through three areas: Heritage Spaces, which include cultural infrastructure; Heritage Programming,with guided trails, workshops, and exhibitions; and the Heritage Champions, which is designed to prepare community members for their volunteer journeys, and to develop and sustain heritage offerings regularly. 
Unique offerings from each HAN neighbourhood
As part of this inaugural event, community groups such as Katong Culture, Eurasian Association, Haig Road Hawkers, and Merchants Association for HAN @ Katong-Joo Chiat have collaborated to celebrate their community’s heritage through engaging activities that will appeal to residents islandwide.
Pencil in Apr 20 and 21, as there will be an exciting line-up of over 25 heritage programmes for the launch festival.
Some programmes include: Community Heritage Art Creation at Joo Chiat Community Club (Apr 20 and 21) where you can try your hand at painting Peranakan-inspired motifs on umbrellas; Lelong! Lelong! Pasar Malam in Singapore exhibition (Apr 20 to May 5); Kebaya Try On Photobooth (Apr 20 and 21); storytelling session (Apr 21), and popiah-making and cooking workshops (Apr 20 and 21).
There are also guided heritage trails, and even an interactive HiddenSG @ Katong-Joo Chiat game with attractive prizes.
Did you know…1. Joo Chiat was named after Chew Joo Chiat, a philanthropist and plantation owner who owned several parcels of land in the Joo Chiat and Katong districts, 2. According to the National Library Board, the area which later became known as Joo Chiat had coconut and cotton plantations as early as the 1820s. Early plantation owners in the area included Francis Bernard and China-born businessman Hoo Ah Kay (also known as Whampoa). 3. Marine Parade was the first housing estate built entirely on reclaimed land, while East Coast beach was built artificially. Katong used to be right next to the sea and attracted the wealthy with seaside mansions, recreation centres, and hotels. 4. The area is home to architectural icons such as Katong Shopping Centre. Built in 1973, it was the first fully air-conditioned mall in Singapore. 5. East Coast Road, which connected and transformed rural Katong-Joo Chiat, was built in 1902. 6. Over 800 buildings in the area have been conserved by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, many of which are the colourful shophouses that Katong-Joo Chiat is known for. |
For more information on the HAN @ Katong-Joo Chiat launch festival, including ticketed events and details of each programme, visit here.
