THE PERANAKANBaba Alvin Tan reflects on the evolution of Peranakan collective Tapestry,
and making inroads in Johor with venue host Nyonya Jennifer Lim
Jennifer Lim and I go way back—she at Katong Convent, me at St. Patrick’s. After school, our paths diverged: I went full-time into theatre, while Jennifer started her career with the EDB promoting the creative sectors, including the fledgling film & entertainment industry.
After her stint with NDF, a Japanese Film finance & distribution firm, she moved to the non-profit sector with work that spanned the disability, health, and welfare services. Though we stayed geographically close—she at Chapel Close, me in Telok Kurau—our lives didn’t intersect for many years.
Years later, we reconnected at a Peranakan event, the start of Tapestry at Joo Chiat. We caught up and continued seeing each other intermittently until Jennifer moved to Johor.
Jennifer is Eurasian-Peranakan, with a father deeply involved in Gunong Sayang activities, and her home, which was in the heart of Katong, became a hub for Peranakan stalwarts. Around the same time, I was revisiting my Peranakan roots—heritage that had inspired The Necessary Stage’s intercultural vision, which has guided our practice for the past 39 years. Now, I’m drawing on this intercultural experience to explore ways of making Peranakan heritage relevant to younger Peranakans and non-Peranakans across the region.
For the past year or two, my focus has been on Rooting / Routing For The Future: building capacity and connections with Peranakans throughout Southeast Asia, with the long-term goal of a regional festival in 2028 celebrating the diversity of Peranakan culture.
One day, during a break at Jennifer’s new home in Johor, we discussed ways to build inroads there. Johor isn’t a Peranakan enclave like Malacca, Penang, or Singapore—but we felt the work was still meaningful. The heritage has the potential to engage non-Peranakans, particularly its intangible elements—language, performance, and lived traditions—which have been shared across communities for generations. Over time, these shared histories have given rise to new cultural characteristics that can, in turn, inspire contemporary cross-cultural innovation.
Excited by the possibilities, we envisioned a soiree: a gathering with less commercial pressure, more appreciation of shared heritage, and space for innovation and experimentation, supported philanthropically. Our hope is that this environment can help sustain and enliven the Peranakan heritage we both cherish.
WHAT DOES A PERANAKAN SOIREE COMPRISE?
Dates: Sunday 1 and 2 March 2026
Time: 4 pm to 7 pm
Venue: Jennifer’s Abode
1 Jalan Sentral 23/4
Taman Nusa Sentral
79100 Iskandar Puteri Johor, West Malaysia
Dress Code: Peranakan Attire: Sarong Kebaya or Batik Shirt
Objective: To reach out to potential supporters and sponsors who would like to see more of the intercultural aspects of Peranakan culture and heritage and to support the evolution of its contemporary relevance and continuity
Photo credits: Selected photos courtesy BabaGabra and Joseph Teo
Tapestry
A Tapestry of Peranakan Stories is a loose collective of Peranakans who see themselves as a bridging generation — connecting younger voices with the wisdom of our elders. Grounded in our rich heritage, we seek to reimagine traditions with creativity and care, opening pathways for innovation while keeping culture alive, relevant, and resonant for future generations.
