Following the first regional workshop in Indonesia in 2025, UNESCO, with the support of Temasek Foundation, convened the next phase of its Embracing Shared Heritage through Performing Arts initiative in Singapore and Malaysia. The two workshops brought together artists, researchers and cultural practitioners to explore the shared histories and cultural traditions that connect Southeast Asia ahead of a regional co-creation programme in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, later this year.
Across Southeast Asia, centuries of migration, trade and cultural exchange have shaped traditions that continue to be practiced across national borders. By exploring these connections, the initiative gives artists new perspectives on their own traditions and those of neighbouring communities as they prepare to create new work together.
While each workshop reflected its own national context, both contributed to a shared regional journey. In Singapore, participants explored Peranakan heritage as a lens for understanding migration, memory and belonging. In Malaysia, discussions expanded to other shared cultural traditions and contemporary interpretations of performing arts. Together, the workshops prepared participating artists for the next stage of the initiative, where they will collaborate to develop new performances inspired by Southeast Asia’s shared heritage.
Exploring Peranakan Heritage
In Singapore, the workshop Exploring the Concept of Peranakan in Modern Singapore, organised in collaboration with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (NAFA UAS), brought together 69 participants. Scholars and cultural practitioners, including Baba Alvin Yapp, Baba Richard Tan, T. Sasitharan, Dr Juliana Lim and Prof. Caren Carino, explored the history and evolution of Peranakan communities, performance traditions and contemporary artistic practice, giving participants a deeper understanding of how living heritage continues to evolve across cultural contexts.
Participants also joined practical sessions on Joget and Inang and visited the Peranakan Museum and The Intan to see how Peranakan heritage is practiced, interpreted and passed on today.
I really enjoyed the talks that Baba Richard and Baba Alvin gave as it gave me insight to the evolution of heritage culture for the Singaporean Peranakan community. We also have a discussion of the history of Peranakan in Indonesia which sparked an interesting conversations as we compared similarities and differences among the communities.
Althaea Grace WangkoWorkshop participant
I am honoured to be appointed as the National Facilitator for Singapore in this project. Based on what I have observed, our young artists are open to various traditional art forms and are willing to learn and apply them to their contemporary works. Presenting traditional art forms and the issues that are attached to them in a way that relates to what they see, and experience daily is one way in engaging our youth.
Traditions Through Contemporary Practice
In Malaysia, the workshop, organised in collaboration with the Back Room and the Instant Café Theatre Company, explored how artists engage with traditional performing arts in contemporary practice. Participants examined different traditions and cultural identities from across the region, including Peranakan and maritime identities, alongside forms such as Randai, Mak Yong and Kuda Kepang, as well as the histories of communities such as the Chetti Melaka.
The workshop brought these different forms and perspectives into conversation, giving participants space to consider how traditions are interpreted through their own artistic practice and how regional exchange can open new possibilities for contemporary performance.
Grateful to have been part of organising this performing arts conference on Rethinking traditional performing arts through regional dialogues in Kuala Lumpur. It was a wonderful learning experience that deepened my appreciation of the richness and ever-evolving nature of Peranakan culture across Malaysia and our neighbouring countries.
Liza HoDirector of the Back Room
Following the open calls, ten artists from Singapore and ten from Malaysia were selected to join artists from Indonesia in the next phase of the initiative. Together, they will participate in a regional co-creation programme in Yogyakarta, where they will develop new performances inspired by Southeast Asia’s shared histories and living heritage.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/artists-across-southeast-asia-revisit-shared-heritage-through-contemporary-performance?hub=701
