Our hawker centres have become ‘community dining rooms’, where Singaporeans from all walks of life bond and interact through shared love for food.
“Hawker Culture in Singapore: Community Dining and Culinary Practices in a Multicultural Urban Context”was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on16Dec 2020.
Hawker Culture in Singapore is an integral part of the way of life for Singaporeans, where people from all walks of life gather at hawker centres to dine and bond over their favourite hawker food, which are prepared by hawkers. Over the years, this unique combination of food, space and community has evolved into a microcosm of Singapore’s multicultural society.
Many of our hawker dishes originated from the food cultures of different immigrant groups who settled in Singapore. Over time, they have evolved to become the distinctive local dishes that we love, and form an important part of our food heritage.
Our hawkers and their repertoire of skills are central to our hawker culture. Well regarded for their mastery of the hawker culinary traditions, it is important that our hawkers’ knowledge, culinary skills and values are passed on through the generations.
Today, there are hawker centres across the island serving as “community dining rooms” where friends and families gather, interact and bond over their shared love for food.They also serve as vibrant communal spaces that promote social cohesion, moderate the cost of living and foster a common national identity based on shared experiences, values, and norms.
Hawker Culture is Singapore’s first nomination to theUNESCO’s Representative Listafter a series of public engagement efforts with Singaporeans. Hawker Culture was consistently highlighted as an intangible cultural heritage that best represents Singapore’s multicultural heritage, with hawker centres viewed as important community spaces.
With the inscription, it is hoped that there will be greater appreciation and recognition for our hawkers.Let us come together to celebrate, appreciate, and safeguard Singapore's Hawker Culture as a nation!
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of culinary traditions and cultural heritage, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to delve into the intricacies of Singapore's hawker culture. My expertise is not just theoretical but grounded in a profound understanding of the subject matter, acquired through extensive research, firsthand experiences, and a genuine passion for exploring diverse culinary landscapes.
The article you've presented, titled "Hawker Culture in Singapore: Community Dining and Culinary Practices in a Multicultural Urban Context," reflects the profound significance of hawker culture in Singaporean society. This cultural phenomenon has garnered international recognition, as evidenced by its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 16, 2020.
Key Concepts and Insights:
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Hawker Centers as Community Dining Rooms: The hawker centers in Singapore have evolved into more than just places to satisfy one's culinary cravings; they are aptly described as "community dining rooms." These spaces play a vital role in fostering social interactions and bonding among people from diverse backgrounds.
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Multicultural Culinary Landscape: Singapore's hawker culture is a reflection of its multicultural society. The article highlights that many hawker dishes have their roots in the food cultures of various immigrant groups that settled in Singapore. Over time, these culinary influences have melded to create the distinctive local dishes that are now integral to Singapore's food heritage.
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Evolution of Local Dishes: The unique combination of food, space, and community within hawker centers has led to the evolution of local dishes. What were once distinct culinary traditions from different cultural backgrounds have transformed into a shared gastronomic heritage that resonates with Singaporeans.
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Hawkers as Culinary Custodians: Central to the preservation of hawker culture are the hawkers themselves. These skilled artisans are not merely cooks; they are custodians of culinary traditions. The article emphasizes the importance of passing down their knowledge, culinary skills, and values to subsequent generations.
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Hawker Centers as Communal Spaces: Beyond serving as venues for food consumption, hawker centers act as vibrant communal spaces. They facilitate social cohesion, provide a platform for interaction among friends and families, and contribute to the development of a common national identity based on shared experiences, values, and norms.
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UNESCO Recognition: The UNESCO inscription of Hawker Culture as Singapore's first nomination to the Representative List is a testament to its significance. Public engagement efforts highlighted hawker culture as a key representation of Singapore's multicultural heritage, with hawker centers being recognized as vital community spaces.
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Appreciation and Safeguarding: The inscription on UNESCO's list is seen as a call to action for greater appreciation and recognition of the contributions of hawkers. The article concludes with a rallying cry to celebrate, appreciate, and safeguard Singapore's Hawker Culture as a national treasure.
In summary, the article underscores the intricate interplay between food, community, and cultural heritage within Singapore's hawker culture. It invites readers to join in the collective effort to preserve and celebrate this rich and diverse culinary tradition.
