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Another Peranakan Milestone – A guide to local favorites in Joo Chiat

The pastel-colored shophouses, homes that resemble museums and traditional eateries here are a window into the rich culture of the Peranakans — the Straits-Chinese families who settled in British Malaya and intermarried with local Malays, forming rich traditions of their own. Joo Chiat today is home to cute new boutiques and some of the best food anywhere in the city, but it has managed to keep alive the culture of the unique ethnic group that once called this area home. Joo Chiat is also a short walk from Singapore’s East Coast, our palm-tree-lined eastern seafront. Read here. ...

July 16, 2020
Articles

Another Peranakn Milestone – Peranakan antiques collector driven by ‘pure insanity’

When Alvin Yapp was 14 he saw a play in Singapore that changed his life. It was a Peranakan production that focused on the fraught and comic relationship between a mother and her daughter-in-law. It gave the teen a glimpse of his heritage, but as he didn't speak Malay, he didn't understand the witty repartee. "Everyone was laughing their hearts out, but I was quite clueless," said Yapp, an advertising director, who now runs his own Peranakan museum. "I was just fascinated by all the material objects on the stage."Those props were inspired by Peranakan objects, treasured items made specifically for the descendants of Chinese settlers who journeyed from the mainland to Southeast Asia and married Malay women between the 15th and 18th centuries. Read here. ...

July 16, 2020
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Arduous for small domestic pie

Private Peranakan museum The Intan in Singapore has chosen to go down a different avenue to secure revenue. Owner Alvin Yapp said: “We have remained very active online with regular postings, including a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of how the Peranakan culture can fight Covid-19. We found a new way of reaching out to customers via merchandising and F&B – over the past two months, we sold more than 100 sets of Peranakan Batik masks and more than 4,000 Peranakan Chinese dumplings. This has helped us find a new customer base.” Yapp shared that The Intan has found new distribution partners such as The Raffles Arcade mall to carry unique gifts and souvenirs, including a new curated range of merchandise that was created for The Raffles. The Intan is now exploring the creation of an online Peranakan cooking game and masterclasses, as well as kicking off a one-for-one promotion from July 26. Read here. ...

July 16, 2020
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Singapore-In-A-Day Itinerary: Restaurants, Museums, Clubs And More

Discover Singapore's unique Peranakan (people of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage) culture at The Intan, a private museum in an unassuming two-storey shop house brimming with the personal collection of seventh generation Peranakan, Alvin Yapp. Plan this ahead of time; visits are strictly by appointment only. TATLER TIP Together with the guided tour, they offer The Intan tea tour or The Intan lunch/dinner tour—with authentic nyonya kueh or hot dishes made by the museum owner's mother. Read here. ...

July 16, 2020
Articles

Special COVID 19 Announcement

Due to the current COVID 19 situation, The Intan will be taking additional precaution to ensure your safety and hygiene during your visit.  1. All tours will be self-guided with a member of The Intan to assist with any questions.   2.  We will limit a maximum of 12 visitors within the premises of The Intan at any one time. 3.  All visitors and employees will be required to wear their face masks at all times. 4.  There will be registration and contact-tracing measures via SafeEntry.5.  All visitor health declarations will be obtained with temperature screening measures in place. Persons who are unwell will be turned away and encouraged to seek medical attention.6.  We will adopt SG Clean standards as the new norm for sanitisation and hygiene, which includes regular cleaning of common and high-touch surfaces (e.g. handrails, handles, knobs) ...

June 25, 2020
Media and Press

Another Peranakan Milestone – How to have a nostalgic day trip in Singapore, Bangkok & Bali!

Amidst the flurry and bustle of modern lifestyle, revisiting the days of eras past offers a wonderful escape to a simpler time. Discover the enchantment and memories of yesteryear with a nostalgic day trip back in time, and explore the stories of three charming neighbourhoods in Singapore, Bangkok and Bali. Katong, Singapore: A stroll through Katong rewards you with a rich experience, coloured with decades of tales that have transpired since its idyllic seaside beginnings. Stop by at The Intan, a two-storey private home museum tucked away in Joo Chiat. With a name that means ‘rose-cut diamond’ in Bahasa Melayu, the personal collection offers a precious glimpse into the heritage of its owner, Mr Alvin Yapp, a local of Peranakan descent. Sip home-brewed tea and snack on traditional kueh while Mr Yapp regales delightful facts about the Peranakan culture, before taking you on a private house tour. Read more about it here....

September 15, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – 10 Wedding Photoshoot Locations Rich in History and Heritage for Timelessly Elegant Photos

Besides being a cosmopolitan city, Singapore is also full of history. Hidden amongst the urban skyscrapers and bright city lights, historical buildings built during the colonial times can still be found. The city has found ways to preserve these hidden gems and they stand remarkably strong till this day. Today we share with you 10 wedding photoshoot locations in Singapore that are not only filled with so much history, they make amazing backdrops too! Surrounded by bits and pieces of Peranakan history, The Intan is a Peranakan home -museum owned by an antique collector, Alvin Yapp. For couples who were brought up in a Peranakan family, this venue will not only be a good photo opportunity, but a chance for you to explore more of the fading culture. Read more about it here....

September 13, 2017
Articles

The Little Nonya and Little Baba visit China! SG52

We had the opportunity to go to Guangzhou to celebrate National Day with our fellow Singaporeans. We also had to chance to share about the Peranakan culture, it's always nice to be invited to share Peranakan culture to non Singaporeans. It's even better when you can do it with someone you've known all your life! Cheryl mesmerised the crowd with her culinary skills, whipping out a mean Kueh Pie Tee at the Guangzhou Library, filling the air with the fragrant smell of tao chioh! And when she was not cooking, she was busy sharing with visitors the skilful art of Peranakan Beading. Many thanks to Singapore Consulate General in Guangzhou for the kind invitation and super warm hospitality. View all the pictures here.  ...

August 17, 2017
Past Events, Publicity

Another Peranakan Milestone – Education at the heart of the Peranakan Museum

With natural sunlight flooding the lobby of the Peranakan Museum, visitors may find that the building's central area is reminiscent of a typical courtyard in a Peranakan home. However, the 105-year-old building in Armenian Street never functioned as a house. Instead, it was home to the many Tao Nan School pupils who received a modern education at the Chinese school for seven decades, from 1912 to 1982, before the school moved to its current location in Marine Parade. Read more about it here. ...

August 16, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Peranakan Fragance (Peranakan Oud)

About "Peranakan Oud" : Peranakan Oud is the very heart of our collection. This unisex, deep soul-searching, unexpected and poetic scent is a collection of unique and surprising olfactory notes, which freely explore new facets of emotion. "Peranakan Oud" is inspired by the Peranakan culture and takes its base notes from Oud combined with soft Tonka bean, Praline and Green Tobacco leaves. Peranakan males are known as "Babas" and females are known as "Nonyas". Oud oil is distilled from Agarwood, and is one of the most expensive ingredient in perfumery. Perhaps it is also the most mysterious. Peranakan Oud- This is a unisex fragrance, designed for Peranakans, Malays and visitors from Europe and Gulf. Read more about it here....

August 14, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Culture Meets Modern Arts

The Peranakan motif has managed to find its way into modern contemporary pieces, including collaborations with movie memorabilia. One example, he said, is their popular Peranakan-meets-Star Wars porcelain pieces, which combines traditional and pop culture without shouting “Singapore”. Of the 1,800 pieces they produced late last year, only 200 of these are left. Read more about it here....

August 7, 2017
Articles

The Intan welcomes you onboard Silkair

Alvin Yapp was recently interviewed by Silkair for their Silkwinds Magazine. The interview article features insights and views on all things Peranakan. Fly with Silkair in August and see if you can spot Alvin!...

July 31, 2017
Media and Press

Another Peranakan Milestone – Chef Damian D’Silva

A series of restaurant and stall closures over the years has not deterred Singaporean chef Damian D'Silva from making yet another comeback in the local dining scene. The 61-year-old known for turning out soulful and heritage Eurasian and Peranakan food is now the executive chef of Folklore at three-month-old hotel Destination Singapore Beach Road. The restaurant opens today. Expect wholesome and hearty offerings from Singapore's five dominant ethnic groups - Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and Peranakan. Read more about it here....

July 27, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Peranakan Culture at Changi Airport Terminal 4

SINGAPORE — Peranakan culture will take centrestage at the new Changi Airport Terminal 4 (T4) heritage zone, where passengers will be treated to art and a short film showcasing the culture. The Heritage Zone in the departure transit area pays tribute to the evolution of Peranakan Heritage from the 1880s to the 1950s, and features an art façade replicating shophouses similar to those in Katong and Chinatown. On the three-storey façade is a 10m-by-6m LED screen spanning two shophouses, on which a six-minute theatrical performance of a Peranakan Love Story set in 1930s Singapore will play. Developed in collaboration with Singaporean composer and artiste Dick Lee, Peranakan Love Story narrates an unlikely romance between two young musicians living next to each other, and boasts a Singaporean cast including acting veterans Adrian Pang, Koh Chieng Mun, Amy Cheng and Benjamin Kheng. The main act is set to the song Bunga Sayang, also composed by...

July 26, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Precious old tiles given a new life

The rector's two-storey residence at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd has about 10 different designs and colour variations of floor tiles dating to about 1910. "We were amazed that such intact flooring still existed. It is a rare showcase of such tiles from the turn of the century," said Mr Ho Weng Hin, 42, a partner at architectural consultancy Studio Lapis, which restored the tiles as part of the major restoration of the 174-year-old cathedral that was completed last year. Every tile was made by hand, with the patterns inlaid using a cement mould. The designs are at the transition between the international Art Noveau style - abstract designs that drew inspiration from nature - and Art Deco, which featured bolder shapes and colour. Read more about it here. ...

July 23, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – 7 Reasons Museums Should Share More Experiences, Less Information

How do objects speak to us when we visit museums? Most of the time, an object's only voice is translated through a neatly-hung, factually-dense label. I have a lot of respect for well-written museum labels, but labels are not going to keep our institutions relevant in a changing world. Today’s audiences crave unique EXPERIENCES that have the ability to do much more than inform. Now more than ever, when we decide to leave the house, we want to be surprised, moved, enlightened, and even transformed. Text on giant colorful panels. Text on animated touch screens. An interactive here and there. I'm not saying that exhibit design can't be dynamic, but I do think we museum people are still too in love with disseminating information. This includes the “walking labels” in the form of guided tours. Read more about it here....

July 21, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Ovidia Yu

A series about a food-loving Peranakan sleuth named Aunty Lee is one of veteran writer Yu's many literary pursuits. Both a playwright and an author of novels, Yu, 55, is a household name in the local scene. Outside of Singapore, she has had her Aunty Lee series published by HarperCollins. It has been released in both the UK and the US, with imprint William Morrow publishing the series in the US. Her latest work is The Frangipani Tree Mystery, released in Britain in June this year. Set in Singapore in 1936, the book's protagonist is young Peranakan detective Su Lin, who helps the Britain-born Chief Inspector solve a series of murders. Recommended book: The Frangipani Tree Mystery Read more about it here. ...

July 20, 2017
Articles

Another Peranakan Milestone – Peranakan eateries going casual

SINGAPORE – Peranakan cuisine is often associated with pricier restaurants, but this may soon change as more eateries offering the heritage food are opting to go the casual route. In the last year, at least seven Peranakan eateries have opened and more than half have chosen to go casual and mid-range. Find out more about it here....

July 16, 2017
Articles

Sing or pour your heart out

Seabourn and Singapore Tourism Board hosted agents on a four-day trip to celebrate the naming of Seabourn Encore and to explore the popular cruise destination. Read More...

February 27, 2017
Media and Press

Peranakan enclaves a surprising side of glitzy Singapore

The two-story home on Joo Chiat Terrace is packed with porcelain, jewelry, silver, clothing, shoes, and intricately carved display cases. A woman prepares tea in the kitchen. Her husband dusts the colorful tiffin carriers stacked on the stairwell. Their son, Alvin Yapp, can’t keep still as he describes the house. Read More...

February 27, 2017
Media and Press

KidZania Singapore’s ‘realism in learning’

SINGAPORE — Be a docent at The Intan, a health institute researcher or a footballer. These are just some of the “jobs” that children will get a chance to try out when KidZania Singapore opens its doors at Palawan Beach on Sentosa later this year, the company said in a press statement. Read More...

February 27, 2017
Media and Press

Shops, museums in Katong seek to preserve Peranakan culture

SINGAPORE — Mention Joo Chiat or Katong and Peranakan culture springs to mind for many. And while the culture evokes memories of the island’s storied past among the older generation, it is in danger of becoming irrelevant to modern Singapore — but not if people such as Mr Edmond Wong can help it. Read More...

February 27, 2017
Media and Press

A night of Peranakan music

Guests donned their Peranakan best for an evening of food and local tunes performed by violinists at The Intan, a Peranakan home museum, yesterday. The event, graced by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, is part of Project Intan, a fund-raising initiative started in 2008 which seeks to support the Singapore Children’s Society this year. Read More...

February 27, 2017
Media and Press

Project Intan 2016

Our 9th year of Project Intan, in support of Singapore Children's Society! Thank you to all our friends for making this event a succes. See you again next year ;) Click here to view the event photos....

October 5, 2016
Past Events, Publicity
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