Malay Heritage Centre’s ClosingFest to feature live performances, bazaar

The Malay Heritage Centre will have a final showcase of local Malay culture and heritage in the month of October before closing for redevelopment on Oct 30.

MHC ClosingFest will feature performances from local and international performers, a bazaar featuring various cuisine and cultural practices and various craft activities and workshops.

On Oct 14, MHC ClosingFest will kick off with a gala opening where local artistes Azrin Abdullah, Alunada and Orkestra Melayu Singapura will pay tribute to the joget genre, a traditional dance known for its lively beats and fast-paced rhythm, and the artistes that made the genre popular. Admission is free. 

There will also be MHC’s annual dance showcase Lintas Nusantara and Konsert SaloMambo, a tribute to the singer Saloma, one of the most established and respected female stars Singapore has produced. 

NADI Singapura will also take to the stage with Himpunan Serumpun V, a performance crafted by the former residents arts group specifically for MHC ClosingFest.

Spotlighting various regional Malay cultures, MHC will also present Bazaar Nusantara to illuminate different cuisines, cultural practices and performances of the Banjarese Baweanese, Bugis, Javanese and Minangkabau people through a line-up of interactive experiences. 

Entry is free and bazaar-goers can expect to learn more about these cultures through displays such as the Baweanese silat, a form of martial arts, and Javanese kuda kepang, a traditional dance.

There will also be various drop-in craft activities and ticketed workshops for visitors of all ages between Oct 1 and 30, where participants can craft items such as wayang kulit, which are theatre shadow puppets. 

Besides MHC ClosingFest, visitors can also visit the ongoing Cerita (stories) exhibition. This is MHC’s final showcase before closing for redevelopment and shines the spotlight on the stories and narratives of life in the Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), . 

This exhibition features over 80 exhibits including artefacts from the National Collection and loans from international institutions and various community contributors, as well as 10 digital animation videos created in partnership with students and lecturers from the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Design & Media.

Expected to reopen in 2025, MHC will use this time to carry out restoration works on the historic 1840s building and update its permanent galleries to remain relevant and accessible for visitors.

During the period of closure, MHC will continue to engage Singaporeans through online programmes and outreach initiatives such as travelling exhibitions and programmes in partnership with stakeholders in the Kampong Gelam precinct as part of continued efforts to showcase local Malay heritage and culture to Singaporeans.

Members of the public can stay tuned for more updates at MHC’s website, Facebook and Instagram.