Cantonese cultural festival aims to whet appetite for tradition

Artefacts, Cantonese opera part of inaugural festival by 155-year-old cultural institution

- Chin Soo Fang

A century-old statue of the Chinese god of war Guan Gong wielding his battle blade and a charcoal portrait of Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat Sen from over 100 years ago will be among the artefacts on display at the inaugural Peck San Theng Cultural Festival to be held on May 17 and 18.

The festival is a major outreach effort by organiser Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (KWSPST), a 155-year-old cultural institution managed by 16 Cantonese clan associations.

Besides the cultural artefacts exhibition, the festival will also have performances such as Cantonese opera and music, lion dance and martial arts, as well as cultural talks.

And, because there is nothing quite like food to whet one's appetite for tradition, visitors can look forward to a Cantonese food showcase of culinary delights such as dimsum and Samsui chicken rice.

"Our ultimate goal is to use the festival as a platform to encourage more people, especially the younger generation and non-Chinese, to take an interest in our traditional culture," said Dr Yee Wai Seng, vice-chairman of the festival.

"At the same time, it serves to promote Peck San Theng as a cultural and educational hub."

Peck San Theng in Bishan Lane is where the festival and KWSPST are located.

The place itself is steeped in history. Today, much of Bishan stands on KWSPST's old cemetery, which was built in 1870 by Cantonese and Hakka immigrants from Guangzhou, Huizhou and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province, China.