Unveil the Hidden Stories of Singapore: My Community Festival 2024 Returns with Over 100 Unique Experiences

SINGAPORE, Oct. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- My Community Festival (MCF) returns for its fifth edition from 1 to 17 November 2024, showcasing over 100 events and tours that immerse participants in Singapore's rich cultural heritage. Organised by non-profit organisation My Community, this year's festival, themed "My Last Journey," offers a look into the world of end-of-life traditions and practices — a significant part of our lives that we rarely get the chance to have a closer look at. The public is encouraged to delve deeper into this aspect of our cultural heritage that is seldom explored or talked about, and discover a world full of heartfelt, intricate, and meaningful traditions.

By spotlighting the people and practices that shape our end-of-life traditions, MCF 2024 aims to celebrate life by honouring the diverse, vibrant and intimate approaches to embracing death. Through community tours, tastings, and interactions with the local community, the festival hopes to inspire people to reflect on their own life journeys and strengthen their connection to their communities.

"Last rites are some of the most important cultural and religious customs that we practise for our loved ones. This year's festival is an opportunity like no other to understand and appreciate these traditions that are part of our daily lives; and in doing so understand more about life," elaborated Kwek Li Yong, Executive Director of My Community.

New for MCF2024: "Navigating Piety: Customs and Practices for the Afterlife" Exhibition

This year's festival features an exhibition at the heart of Kreta Ayer Square, guiding festival-goers through the funeral and burial practices of five of the religious communities in Singapore, namely Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Taoist. The exhibition will feature artefacts contributed by Ang Chin Moh Foundation, Khailaash Funeral Services, and Singapore Muslim Casket. Festival-goers can get up close and admire the craftsmanship that goes into the essential artefacts and tools used in these practices, and also learn more about the rich significance behind each aspect – from variations based on age, marital status, and dialect group, to the underlying beliefs and emotions felt in sending a loved one off.

In addition to the exhibition, MCF 2024 will be presenting a wealth of exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences that brings the public up close and personal to the theme for this year. Participants will gain first-hand access to normally restricted locations, such as the Jewish Cemetery and hospital units, where they can interact directly with caretakers, medical staff, hospice workers, and palliative care providers. Professionals in the field, including those in pet cremation services at Sanctuary Pet Cremation, and perinatal palliative care at Alexandra Hospital, will also be sharing their personal experiences with festival-goers; from managing emotional challenges to heart-warming outcomes.

Festival Highlights

MCF 2024 will feature seven immersive segments and a vibrant festival village, each exploring different facets of death-related cultural practices and traditions:

• Find My Ah Gong: Every tombstone tells a story, and every cemetery is a window into our collective past. Find My Ah Gong traces the footsteps of our ancestors, reconnects with our roots and uncovers the forgotten stories that have shaped Singapore's diverse heritage. From meeting the caretaker of Bukit Brown Cemetery, who tirelessly looks after the upkeep of this century-old burial ground, to visiting the Lucky Gardens Boyanese Cemetery – a lesser-known but well-kept cemetery caught between residential developments, each of the 12 cemeteries promises to be a memorable journey with their own stories, rich history, beautiful architecture and famous residents.
• My Prayers & Practices: Though our beliefs may differ on what is in store for us in the afterlife, or how one would consider a life to be well lived – one thing we all hold in common is the belief that our loved ones deserve a respectful and honourable send-off when the time has come to say goodbye. Meet the Ustaz at Masjid Pusara Aman, the only mosque in Singapore with a licensed funeral parlour, and see how Muslims painstakingly wash and purify the body of the deceased to prepare for burial. Participants can also go on a trip to the usually restricted Jewish Cemetery with Rabbi Nissim Zawady to meet influential figures from Singapore's history like David Marshall and Jacob Ballas.

• Meet My Craftsman: The rites and rituals that accompany one's last journey are often elaborate and require a great deal of time and effort. The craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to meticulously creating the items used in funerals have become walking encyclopaedias of cultural knowledge and traditions, preserving each detail with care and expertise. Participants can try their hand at decorating a Hindu hearse with the colourful flower garlands, or walk through a different take on end-of-life planning with a grief organiser, and sort through physical belongings.
• Wind Beneath My Wings: Death is an inevitable part of life – we are unable to prevent it, but we can choose how we want to face it. Beyond the rites and rituals that take place after death, meet the people who have devoted themselves to helping people face this important milestone, ensuring that they are anything but alone. For the first time, the public can get a chance to sit down and engage in intimate conversations with medical professionals from the palliative care wards of hospitals and hospices, and even those from the Children's Department at Kandang Kerbau Hospital, or visit the team that helps our furry friends cross the rainbow bridge at Sanctuary Pet Cremation.
• What's For My Dinner?: In moments of remembrance, food becomes a heartfelt tribute to our departed loved ones. From dearly inherited recipes, to timeless favourites, participants are invited to experience the preparation of these special meals and learn about the connection between food and the departed from communities from different cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. Sit down and break bread with the home cooks, and enjoy cuisines like Sindhi, Rayong, or Maharashtrian!
• After Hours @ My Community: While you're tucked into bed at night, many have yet to start their day, preparing to take on the graveyard shift. Participants can embark on an unforgettable journey to witness how others in the neighbourhood hustle and bustle after dark, as hawkers and workers alike prepare for a long day ahead, all under the cover of night. Explore neighbourhoods like Clementi, Toa Payoh, and Bedok, and you'll see that Singapore truly never sleeps.
• My Chinatown Festival Village: Immerse in the rich history of Chinatown and Sago Lane. See the vibrant past of Singapore's heritage district come to life as we explore the unique customs and traditions once central to Sago Lane's famous "Street of the Dead". Through engaging exhibits, performances, and storytelling, participants are encouraged to celebrate the cultural legacy of Chinatown and its role in shaping the community's past and present.

In addition, the Chinatown Festival Village will feature the following programme segments:

• Navigating Piety: Customs and Practices for the Afterlife: This exhibition delves into Singapore's diverse funeral rituals across different faiths and communities, showcasing how they have evolved over time while remaining deeply connected to their roots. As participants walk through the displays, they'll gain insights into the rich tapestry of end-of-life customs that continue to shape the way we honour, remember, and celebrate our loved ones.
• Performances @ My Chinatown Festival Village: Experience an unforgettable celebration of Singapore's rich cultural and religious heritage through vibrant performances and observances that blend both traditional and contemporary acts. Witness performances by traditional Chinese funeral bands, and unpack the meaning and significance behind Buddhist sutras. Each performance serves as a tribute to the significance of remembrance, weaving together artistic expressions of grief, love, and legacy.
• Let's Talk About Chinatown: Join in on a captivating series of talks that dive deep into the fascinating history of Chinatown and the lesser-known world of Singapore's afterlife industry. These discussions will uncover how Chinatown has evolved through the years, transforming from a bustling centre of trade and culture into a vibrant, multicultural hub that continues to shape Singapore's identity.
• My Chinatown Complex: Discover Chinatown Complex like never before, with its friendly tenants and shopkeepers as our personal guides! This engaging tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the heart of Chinatown through the eyes of those who know it best. Local vendors will share their personal stories, offering rich insights into the history of the complex and the cultural significance it holds in the community. From decades-old food stalls to traditional shops, participants willl get an insider's look at the vibrant daily life that makes this complex a cornerstone of Chinatown.
• Last Time Hor: Explore the vibrant atmosphere of Chinatown Complex through experiences that combine guided tours with lively, insightful discussions, offering participants the chance to uncover the rich history and cultural significance of this iconic area. Cut through the maze of food stalls and unique shops and meet personalities like the owners of Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken, who will explain what inspired the unique name of the business, and the owners of 115 Tang Shui, whose work in making their traditional delicacies begins as early as 3am!

Tickets are available for purchase from 16 October 2024 at the My Community Festival website.

Please refer to Annex A for the full programme line-up, as well as the dates and times for the different programmes. More information can be found in our media kit. We look forward to welcoming all at MCF 2024!

About My Community

My Community is a non-profit organisation focused on preserving Singapore's heritage by capturing community stories and reconnecting people with places and social networks. It advocates for greater community involvement in cultural management and urban governance. Since 2010, My Community has championed a grassroots approach to heritage, chronicling and celebrating the everyday experiences of Singaporeans. Through its initiatives, the organisation fosters a deeper appreciation of the nation's diverse heritage and encourages active participation in cultural preservation.

My Community Website: https://mycommunity.org.sg  
My Community Festival Website: https://mycommunityfestival.sg  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myqueenstown/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycommunitysg/?hl=en 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mycommunity_sg 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mycommunity7782

Socium is the public relations agency appointed by MCF 2024.

SOURCE My Community Ltd