Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery Launches New Programme Series to Celebrate the Neighbourhood’s Living Heritage

The Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery is introducing a new pilot incubator programme that invites heritage practitioners to explore, document and share the rich living heritage of one of Singapore’s most iconic cultural neighbourhoods. Led by the National Heritage Board, the initiative aims to deepen heritage practices while creating new opportunities for the public, especially youths, to engage with Geylang Serai’s stories, traditions and communities.

The inaugural edition is led by Malay food heritage ground up initiative Sendok Rakyat, with support from Wisma Geylang Serai. Bringing together practitioners from fields including food heritage, traditional craftsmanship and the arts, the programme seeks to spark fresh conversations and strengthen connections with the neighbourhood through a series of hands-on experiences over the next six months.

The programme begins on 18 July 2026 with the Geylang Serai Cooking Club at the Wisma Geylang Serai Culinary Studio. Led by Sendok Rakyat founder Murni, participants will prepare Asam Pedas, a dish inspired by her late grandfather’s memories of his hometown in Melaka. Through the cooking process, the session explores how food preserves family stories, cultural identity and cherished memories. The ticketed workshop is priced at S$30 per participant.

On 22 August, the Rakyat Archive: Scent Storytelling with Aroma Nostalgia programme will take participants on a sensory journey through Geylang Serai Market and the Heritage Gallery. The guided experience invites visitors to discover how familiar scents, from coconut and lemongrass to salak and the woody aromas once associated with furniture shops in the old market, can evoke memories tied to places and communities. Tickets are priced at S$20.

The Geylang Serai Cooking Club returns on 6 September with SayurStory, a ground up initiative that builds community through food and nature alongside migrant domestic workers in Singapore. Participants will explore the neighbourhood, source seasonal ingredients from Geylang Serai Market and collaboratively prepare a potluck meal without a predetermined menu, encouraging creativity and shared experiences. The workshop is priced at S$30.

As part of the Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery Open House 2026, Pasar Newbies Vol. 2 will be held on 7 November. The programme offers an introduction to Geylang Serai Market through a guided orientation walk before participants return to the gallery for a communal cooking session inspired by their discoveries. Tickets are available at S$15.

Later that day, visitors can join Jemput Jemput, another Open House programme that explores the cultural significance of traditional Malay fritters. Participants will learn about the role of these popular sweet and savoury snacks in everyday life while discovering the gorengan sold at nearby Geylang Serai Market and Haig Road Hawker Centre. Tickets are priced at S$15.

On 28 November, artist HAFI will lead Rakyat Archive: Illustrating Memory, a dialogue-based workshop encouraging participants to reinterpret old family photographs through drawing while reflecting on personal histories and the emotional connections preserved in photographic archives. The session is priced at S$20.

The Geylang Serai Cooking Club continues on 5 December with artist ila, who will guide participants in preparing nasi goreng using ingredients commonly found in home kitchens. The communal cooking session examines themes of food security and resourcefulness by highlighting how leftover rice and accessible ingredients can be transformed into meaningful meals. Tickets are S$30.

On 12 December, artist Bani Haykal will lead Rakyat Archive: Aural Tradition, taking participants on a sound walk through the Geylang Serai precinct to explore how everyday sounds can become valuable historical records. Participants will learn techniques for recording and documenting the neighbourhood’s unique soundscape as part of a collective archive. The workshop is priced at S$20.

The programme concludes on 9 January 2027 with two sessions. The Geylang Serai Cooking Club will welcome Lydia and Adriana from the Empowered Families Initiative, who will guide participants in preparing Asam Pedas Tetel while sharing how food supports their work with less resourced families and strengthens community ties. The session is priced at S$30. On the same day, Studio Kallang founder Faezah Shaharuddin will present Rakyat Archive: Everyday Artefacts, exploring the history and design of traditional Malay furniture and its role in domestic life over generations. Tickets for this session are S$10.

Programme details and registration information will be released progressively ahead of each event. All activities are eligible for the SG Culture Pass, with registration and redemption information available through the respective programme listings. Visitors can also follow Sendok Rakyat on Instagram for the latest updates on the series.