The Peranakan Museum in Singapore has finally reopened its doors to the public after undergoing renovations for almost four years. With its new look, the museum aims to celebrate the diversity of Peranakan culture and communities through a refreshed and inclusive approach.
The Peranakan Museum in Singapore has finally reopened its doors to the public after undergoing renovations for almost four years. With its new look, the museum aims to celebrate the diversity of Peranakan culture and communities through a refreshed and inclusive approach.
A Tour of the Peranakan Museum's Nine Galleries
Here are some highlights of the museum's nine galleries spanning three floors:
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Origins. Firstly, discover the diverse origins and evolution of Peranakan communities through hand-coloured photographs, photo walls, and video interviews where respondents share their thoughts and reflections on what being Peranakan means to them.
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Home. Moreover, learn about family and community life through objects related to Peranakan customs, foods, languages, and beliefs. Marvel at the most extensive gallery in the revamped museum, which reunites furniture, portraits, and furnishings that once shared the same home.
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Style. Wholly dedicated to 'Style,' the third-floor galleries present dedicated galleries to Peranakan fashion and decorative textiles, showcasing how Peranakan needlework celebrates craftsmanship and design in the decorative arts. Basically, the gallery displays how Peranakan fashion is diverse, reflecting hybrid influences and evolving over centuries from the iconic sarong kebaya to contemporary expressions.
Discovering the Evolution of Peranakan Culture at the Museum's Reopening
With over 800 objects on display, the museum aims to prompt visitors to re-encounter the multiple cultural roots of 'Peranakan' and explore how the culture continues to shift and evolve today.
Unleashing the Jewel Box: Mr Kennie Ting's Vision for the Peranakan Museum
The museum's director, Mr Kennie Ting, conceptualized the new Peranakan Museum as a 'jewel box'. With each permanent gallery having its own distinctive look and feel, spotlighting a particular aspect of Peranakan culture. The 'Peranakan aesthetic' is evident throughout, with contemporary elements that give the museum a modern and refreshing twist.
Exploring the 'Locally-Born': Peranakan Communities and Their Cultural Diversity
In Malay, the word 'Peranakan' means 'locally-born' or 'of the same womb'. Additionally, this welcoming and inclusive term was used by Malay-Indonesian communities in Southeast Asia. Basically, they refer to other communities who had made a home in this region.
The Peranakan Museum explores the multi-faceted diversity of Peranakan culture and communities, including Arab Peranakans, Chinese Peranakans, Chitty Melakans (or Peranakan Indians), Eurasian Peranakans, and Jawi Peranakans.
Moreover, the museum's displays highlight how Peranakan communities are cross-cultural in nature. It is reflecting the cultural diversity and mixing inherent in Southeast Asian port cities such as Singapore.
How to Get to Peranakan Museum Singapore
If you're planning to visit the Peranakan Museum Singapore, getting there is easy.
The museum is located at 39 Armenian Street Singapore 179941.
You can reach it via various bus routes such as 7, 14, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 131, 147, 162, 166, 167, 171, 174, 175, 190, 700, and 857. If you prefer to travel by MRT, the nearest station is Bras Basah MRT. Once you reach the museum, you can explore the various galleries that highlight the rich culture and heritage of the Peranakan community.
The admission fee is to be determined. But the museum is open daily from 10 am to 7pm and until 9 pm on Fridays. For more information, you can visit the Peranakan Museum's website at peranakanmuseum.
The Peranakan Museum's Reopening: A Tribute to Singapore's Cross-Cultural Heritage
The museum's reopening is not just about showcasing the richness of Peranakan culture. But also a celebration of Singapore's exhilarating, cross-cultural, port city heritage, which informs and grounds the curatorial approach of the refreshed Peranakan Museum.
Come experience the Peranakan Museum anew at the reopening party this weekend!
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