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SINGAPORE – The culture of the falcon in Singapore has had its chances of being inscribed as an official intangible cultural heritage of Unesco promoted on Monday (November 16), with a body of experts that recommended that it be included in the coveted list.
An evaluation body made up of 12 experts from around the world, appointed by the 24-member intergovernmental committee that will deliver the final verdict in December this year, said in a long-awaited report that Singapore’s request met all the criteria.
The assessment body recommended that the cultivation of street vendors be added to the official list here.
In the past, the final decision in December has not always closely adhered to what is recommended by the evaluation body. However, The Straits Times understands that those that have been approved by the review body generally get the go-ahead.
The report recognized that the street vendor culture provides Singapore “a sense of identity and continuity for people across generations and in a context of urbanization.”
“It plays a crucial social role in enhancing community interactions (and) fostering an inclusive society regardless of the diverse social, religious and ethnic backgrounds of its people,” he added.
Unesco’s convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, or “living heritage” that changes over time, has been in existence since 2003. It includes practices as varied as performing arts, festive events, rituals and oral traditions.
The convention hopes to ensure these are passed on to the next generation and also promote intercultural dialogue and mutual respect for other ways of life.
Singapore submitted its bid for street vendor culture to be recognized internationally in March last year, hoping it will be added to the 463 items already on the list.
Ms. Chang Hwee Nee, Executive Director of the National Heritage Board, said that with the affirmation of the expert panel, she hopes to hear good news during the intergovernmental committee meeting to be held online from December 14 to 19.
She added: “We hope that the successful inscription of the street vendor culture will further increase awareness and appreciation among Singaporeans about the importance of intangible cultural heritage in our daily lives, and continue to promote dialogue between our communities.”
Tan Meng Dui, executive director of the National Environment Agency, said Singapore’s offer shows its commitment to preserving the culture of street vendors and that his agency is “standing firm” in its efforts to attract new entrants and work with current stakeholders.
For Tekka Center street vendor Ganesh Singh, who has been selling teh tarik for more than 30 years, the recognition is a dream come true and an honor that could help attract more young people to the profession.
The 54-year-old said: “I took a deep breath when I heard the news. I have no words to express myself. With the recognition, young people will join us and ensure that the culture of street vendors retains its longevity.
“It would be an honor not only for the street vendors but for all Singaporeans.”
Member of Parliament (Ang Mo Kio) Nadia Ahmad Samdin, in response to the news, noted that the street vendor fee is an important part of food security in Singapore as it provides affordable meals for locals of all ages. .
For seniors, buying takeout from street vendor centers during times of unprecedented crisis, such as that caused by Covid-19, can also give them a sense of “normalcy and routine, as many street vendors are familiar faces and cornerstones of the community, “he said. .
Ms Nadia, who is a member of the Government Parliamentary Commission for Sustainability and the Environment, added that street vendor centers can be a “space for intergenerational bridges,” where high-level street vendors and street vendors more youth can work together under NEA’s development programs for example street vendors.
The application to be included in the UNESCO heritage list, which was uploaded online, included letters, photographs and videos demonstrating the community’s support for the offer.
Mr. Singh appeared in one of the videos.
More than 850,000 people, through various means, such as attending travel exhibitions and singing letters of consent, gave a strong signal to the evaluation body that there is a public awareness and “significant vitality” for the street vendor culture, according to the report.
The hawker culture in Singapore has evolved significantly over the years, from individual hawkers selling their fare on the streets to the most built hawker centers today.
There are currently about 6,000 street vendors spread over 110 street vendor centers.
In the event that the registration is approved, Singapore will commit to safeguarding and transmitting the culture of street vendors in Singapore and will be required to submit a report to UNESCO every six years on its efforts.
There were 42 submissions at this year’s tender, including mechanical watchmaking from Switzerland and France, Budima dance from Zambia, and beekeeping tree culture from Poland and Belarus.
Among them, it was recommended that 25 be inscribed on the official list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, including the candidacy of Singapore.
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