Singapore is planning a global permanent centre and exhibition based on the overseas Chinese community. The new centre, targeted for completion in 2005, will be developed in the west wing of the Haw Par Villa.
Local residents and visitors will be treated to an engaging showcase, which relates the triumph and struggles of early Chinese immigrants around the world.
In strategic partnership with the Chinese Heritage Centre (CHC), the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is developing the centre into a world-class showcase. The CHC will lend its scholastic expertise in conducting professional research and developing the content and historical storyline for the exhibits. The CHC has also been sourcing for pictures pertinent to the subject matter. Reference point for the centre is "The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas", a compilation of research articles by various authors edited by Lynn Pan. The STB will help to contact overseas Chinese communities to source for donations of memorabilia towards the
centre.
The new centre, to be known as `Hua' (Chinese) `Song' (praise), will occupy a 0.8-hectare site. It will comprise an anchor exhibition gallery called Wan Lü Tang , a theaterette, a learning gallery for children, changing exhibits, F&B facilities, and a
carpark.
Wan Lü Tang will comprise exhibits based on four main themes: Leaving Home, Making Good, Family and Habitat, and Crossing Boundaries.
Professor Wang Gungwu, Vice-Chairman of the CHC and an authority on the subject of overseas Chinese, said: "The topic of Chinese overseas is one of international relevance, and not strictly an ethnic one, because the migrant Chinese is so well assimilated into the various societies of which they have become a part.
"Southeast Asia has the largest numbers of people of Chinese descent, and Singapore is in the centre of this region. Hence Singapore is the ideal location for such a project," he added.
The Haw Par Villa location is strategic as the Villa was created in the 1930s by Aw Boon Haw, who was a distinguished overseas Chinese himself. While Hua Song will add another dimension to Haw Par Villa without detracting from its main stream Chinese theme, it will also synergise with the entire Southwestern part of Singapore, which the Government is developing as the seat of the academia and research.
Mrs Pamelia Lee, Senior Director of Special Projects, STB said: "The centre will be a world-class attraction by virtue of the high historical value of the exhibits. The subject matter has global appeal so we know that the centre will be relevant to people from across the world. We envisage that Hua Song will attract a complementary market segment to Haw Par Villa."
The STB will ride on its regional network of overseas offices to promote and generate interest and awareness of Hua Song across the world.
The STB will be calling a tender in April for Project Consultants for the development of the site. The consultants will provide expertise in the fields of architecture, engineering, lighting, landscaping, museum development, and edutainment. |