Pretensions has just realised that the annual Singapore HeritageFest is just round the corner. A fairly recent addition to the Singapore cultural calendar, the S'pore HeritageFest got its start in 2004 as a state-mandated way to promote better understanding between Singapore's cultures. The Malay, Indian, Chinese and Eurasian comunities each get various platforms to showcase traditional music, dance, art, food and customs.

This year's Festival is all about Heroes apparently. No, not the TV show, real heroes either from the past (think WWII) or present. So, for example, Cultural 101 fatures a talk about the life and times of Lim Boon Keng, a local philanthropist and businessman, who founded the Singapore Chinese Girls' School (P's school!) to pioneer the education of Straits Chinese women in the region (Lim was of Straits Chinese descent). Prior to this, many chinese women in the region were illiterate and Boon Keng's effort was thought startlingly radical at the time. Lim also held various positions of authority in the young community, serving as legislative councillor, justice of the peace and muncipal commissioner. Lim was awarded an OBE by the British near the end of his life.

P may try to make her way to the Asian Civilizations Museum to catch this talk. She is also interested in some of the Expedition H trails, particularly the Pasir Panjang War Trail and the Other Side of Geyland Trail. Hey, how often can a respectable women find a legitimate reason to visit a red light district? :-) However, P would welcome the opportunity to find out more about the old Malay community that once formed the heart of Geylang and still lingers at Geylang Serai. P has been told about the good food served in the traditional coffeeshops and shophouses of Geylang but has never dared go there after dark. Perhaps this might be her chance to visit a colorful part of Singapore.