SCCC’s first Grandparents’ Day programme, Life Lessons with Ah Gong and Ah Ma, brings the “Human Library” concept to life, featuring six local senior practitioners from the Chinese arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Six sharing sessions will take place on 23 and 24 November 2024.
Our speaker lineup includes Oon Ah Chiam, Lee Yong Tick, Victor Yue, Francis Wong, Lin Gao, and Yan Choong Lian. Their rich expertise spans radio broadcasting, wayang, literary arts, dance, local heritage and more. These living “books” will share captivating stories of their personal journeys, overcoming challenges, and contributing to the flourishing tapestry of Singapore’s Chinese cultural landscape. Come and be inspired by their wisdom and experiences in sessions filled with heartfelt stories and meaningful intergenerational connections.
To keep the format of sharing intimate, slots are very limited, so grab your seats now!
| Speakers | Biography |
| Oon Ah Chiam | Oon Ah Chiam was a popular Chinese street opera (wayang) actress in the 1950s and 1960s whose life story inspired the play Titoudao. Oon grew up in poverty and was a member of the Hokkien wayang troupe Sin Sai Hong since she was 14 years old. Despite facing significant challenges such as gender inequality, poverty, and marital issues, Oon overcame these obstacles to become a prominent wayang star. Today, both the TV series and play Titoudao continue to honour her legacy. This year, the production makes a notable return to the stage at Victoria Theatre with a new cast, costumes, and staging, reflecting the enduring impact of Oon’s contributions to the arts. |
| Lee Yong Tick | Lee Yong Tick previously served as the Deputy Programme Director and Music Director for the Chinese section of Radio Singapore International (RSI). He began his career in the 1980s as a voice-over artist with the former Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. Over the years, Lee has narrated documentaries, provided live coverage for major events such as the National Day Parade, and contributed to TV current affairs programmes and commercial dubbing. Lee is currently a freelance voice artist and leads the Char Yong (Dabu) Association’s Hakka Melody Group, where he actively promotes Hakka culture and traditions, and regularly volunteers at various disability associations and senior activity centres. |
| Victor Yue | Victor Yue is a retired telecommunications engineer, he has transitioned into an explorer and advocate of Singapore’s heritage, with a particular emphasis on Singapore’s Chinatown and local Chinese temples. Having grown up in Chinatown during the 1950s and 1960s – a period marked by gang conflicts and challenging conditions – Yue frequently shares his personal experiences from that era. As an executive committee member of Singapore Heritage Society, he actively contributes to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Victor Yue is also a pioneer in online forums dedicated to sharing knowledge and experiences about local Chinese temples and Taoist traditions. Additionally, he organises visits to various temples and cultural events to foster a deeper appreciation of Chinese roots and heritage within the Singaporean community. |
| Francis Wong Hooe Wai | Francis Wong Hooe Wai is a former architect known for his work in conserving historical buildings in Singapore. He has played a key role in preserving and conserving landmarks such as the former Command House, the old St Joseph’s Institution, and the old Hill Street Police Station. Transitioning from architecture to literature, Wong now draws on his childhood memories of Chinatown to create evocative illustrations and storytelling. Francis’ Chinatown Trilogy – comprising Grandpa’s Little Room, Go Trishaw Go, and The Little Bear’s New Clothes – captures the essence of the historical district through captivating narratives. In addition to his literary work, Wong is a columnist for Lianhe Zaobao, Yuan, and Hai Sing Pao. He has published several books, including Appreciating Church Architecture and To Singapore Architecture with Love. |
| Lin Gao
|
Lim Hung Chang, better known as Lin Gao, has his career spans roles as a Chinese language educator, a curriculum specialist writer at the Ministry of Education, and an editor of children’s literary magazines. In addition to mentoring emerging writers, Lim has held leadership positions with Singapore Association of Writers and writes columns and reviews for various newspapers and journals, promoting interest in Chinese literature. Lim has been an active member in Singapore’s Chinese literary scene since the 1970s. He has authored 17 works, including prose, fiction, and children’s literature, which delve into contemporary issues and the complexities of human nature. Lim began exploring micro-fiction in the 1980s and won the Singapore Literature Prize in the Fiction category in 2014 for his collection Micro-fiction. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Literary Arts in 2015. |
| Yan Choong Lian | Yan Choong Lian is the Founder and Artistic Director of Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES). She is a contemporary Chinese dancer, choreographer and dance educator. In the 1970s and 1980s, she performed and choreographed with People’s Association Dance Troupe and National Dance Company, while also teaching at the Kampung Glam community centre. Later, she founded Yan Choong Lian Dance Troupe and subsequently established Dance Ensemble Singapore, where she continues to mentor young dancers and create new works. She was conferred the National Youth Award (1983), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Singapore Foundation Award (1994), the Public Service Medal (2020) and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award (2024) for her lifelong dedication towards dance in Singapore. |
Nov 23, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024
23 November 2024
Session 1: 11am-12pm
Session 2: 2pm-3pm
Session 3: 4pm-5pm
24 November 2024
Session 4: 11am-12pm
Session 5: 2pm-3pm
Session 6: 4pm-5pm
Duration: 1 hour each session (With no intermission. Refreshments provided after each session – about 30min – Participants can expect to spend approximately 1 hour 30 min on event day. )
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Practice Room, Level 10
General public
Free, pre-registration required
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