Letter from Baba Colin Chee, President, The Peranakan Association Singapore
(This is a monthly column to TPAS members and guests)
Dear Babas and Nyonyas,
At the 32nd Baba Nyonya Convention in Melaka last week, I was in the VIP coach with other association presidents en route from Ramada Plaza Hotel to Kota Syahbandar, to watch the Encore show. Accompanied by police outriders up front and back, the journey took just 15 minutes, half the time needed by the caravan of buses to cover that distance!
Baba Peter Ong, the Convention organiser seated next to me, said: “Indonesia can do it. Malaysia pun boleh! (also can!)”
A voice behind us chimed in: “Australia can, too.”
I quipped: “In Singapore, I assure you, we can’t! Pulling a rabbit out of a hat can sometimes be impossible!”
We all laughed.
We thank Baba David Tan, Baba Peter, Nyonya Chin Siok Hoon and their Melaka team for their care and arrangements which made the convention such a success.
SAVE THE DATE! 20-22 NOVEMBER 2020
The next evening, at the Convention’s farewell and closing dinner, Baba Peter announced that The Peranakan Association Singapore (TPAS) would host the 33rd Baba Nyonya Convention from 20 November to 22 November 2020.
I shared more details about our plans for the 2020 convention, highlighting that the event is going to be memorable because next year is our Association’s 120th Anniversary. The theme will be “Keeping Our Culture Alive”, a natural follow-up to Melaka’s very pertinent theme which is “Memories That Shaped Us”.
I revealed that TPAS is going to refocus on the topical symposiums that first sparked the idea of annual conventions 32 years ago. However, we will ensure that the renewed emphasis will not detract from the fun and fellowship that delegates enjoy very much at conventions.
THE SYMPOSIUM
The 2020 Symposium will be jointly organised by The Peranakan Association Singapore and The Peranakan Museum.
It will explore, through a keynote speech and three forum panels, the forces of change bearing upon our community and cultural heritage.
Through this self-examination, we can begin to find ways that will help us as a community to keep our culture alive. Perhaps even to help move it forward in ways that will continue to make it relevant in the rapidly changing times and to our generations to come.
THE MOTHER OF ALL WAYANGS
TPAS will produce a groundbreaking one-hour play titled “The Matriarchs” to give symbolic meaning to the Symposium’s theme “Keeping Our Culture Alive”.
We are most privileged that four of Singapore’s, if not the region’s, best-known icons of Peranakan theatre have graciously and enthusiastically embraced the idea of coming together to realise this play. This will be the very first, and possibly only time. There are no plans to reproduce this play.
Singapore Cultural Medallion Award winner Baba Ivan Heng will reprise his role of Emily as the matriarch-to-be, speaking in English. Our very own legendary and beloved megastar of Peranakan wayang, Baba GT Lye, will star as Emily’s mother-in-law, speaking in Baba Malay.
Baba Alvin Tan, also a Cultural Medallion Award winner, will direct the play.
Nyonya Stella Kon has generously allowed TPAS to use her beautiful monodrama, Emily of Emerald Hill, as the setting for this new play.
Nyonya Stella has already scripted Emily’s dialogue for this new play. Baba GT, Baba Alvin and I will work on the monologue for GT’s quintessential matriarch. I must add here that Baba Alvin, in an inspired moment, effortlessly suggested the ending of the play in a very meaningful gesture.
BABAZAAR
In addition to the Symposium, the food, the music, song and dance, the Convention will have a bazaar showcasing the very best craftsmen and women, artisans and chefs from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and perhaps even Australia.
Imagine having at your doorstep some of the very best creators, designers and makers of sulams and kebayas, batik sarongs, kasot manek, vintage and contemporary Peranakan jewellery, food, music, songs and joget. Not to mention workshops.
Called BaBazaar, it will be open to the public and tourists, besides delegates from our informal federation of 14 Peranakan associations from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia.
CONVENTION PARTNERS
I wish to thank our partners for unhesitatingly coming alongside us for next year’s 33rd Baba Nonya Convention. They include The Peranakan Museum, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Gunong Sayang Association and Peranakan Indian (Chitty Melaka) Association Singapore. We are in advanced discussions with several other prospective partners.
WE SEEK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
We anticipate that the demand for tickets for Convention 2020 will be fast and furious! Even though we have planned for a maximum capacity of 500 delegates from Singapore and regional associations, our deep concern is that this may not be sufficient. Preference will be given to members of the associations.
We seek your prayers and understanding in this.
Blessings,
Colin Chee
Unity. Stability. Growth
It is not going to be business as usual
30 November 2019