Cultural Singapore

Who says Singapore doesn’t have culture? Or a history? Every visit to this shopping paradise yields treasures of craft that hold countless tales within them — a tin robot once, a hand-carved boxwood comb, countless teapots to brew your jasmine petals in… And Chinatown’s where it’s at, specifically the tasteful little souvenir shop at the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Last month, I picked up this delicate veneer bookmark there, which speaks as much of the skill of Singapore’s migrant populations as of its signature shophouses, contiguous buildings with intricate and eclectic façades, used as residences, shops and stores. Of course, what are now tastefully restored shophouses were sweatshops once, as the kindly staff at the centre won’t tire of reminding you. SGD 8 (Rs 210) for a history lesson and reality check is fine by me.