The coronavirus-induced lockdown had been a tough time for street food vendors worldwide. But at the turn of the year, the Singapore hawkers have been ushered with some good news. The ‘Hawker Culture’ in Singapore has been added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The award happened via a virtual ceremony on December 16. Also, Singapore’s National Environment Agency is mulling over safeguarding Hawker Culture by certain initiatives which include the Hawker’s Succession Scheme, aimed to be launched in the first quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, here are 3 reasons for every millennial to visit Singapore.
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Singapore’s ‘Hawker Culture’ Added To UNESCO List Of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
2020 is ending on a happy note for the street vendors of Singapore. The ‘Hawker Culture’ of the nation has made to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 144 hawker centres, the food vendors cook and sell fresh and inexpensive meals to the people from all walks of life. The hawkers have been winning hearts since ages with delicious chilli crabs, fish head curries, carrot cakes, steamed pork buns, laksas, Bak Chor Mee, wantons and many more.
In recent years, the culture has faced many hardships, one of them being the rising prices of raw materials. But the hawkers have been providing the dishes at affordable rates so that they are accessible to people with all income levels. Also, many hawkers have been ageing. The COVID-19 had been like a fuel to the fire to all these challenges. But the incorporation of the culture in the UNESCO list proves that their efforts have finally paid off. The award took place on December 16, via a virtual ceremony. Also, Singapore Airlines has offered people the chance to dine on parked planes.
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The Hawker’s Succession Scheme
The National Environment Agency of Singapore is aiming to preserve the country’s hawker culture through certain initiatives. Under the Hawker’s Succession Scheme, the agency will team up experienced hawkers with aspiring vendors for knowledge transition on recipes, business and more. The aspiring vendors can take over the stalls when the senior vendors retire. The scheme is to be launched in the first quarter of 2021. Some popular hawker centres in Singapore include Old Airport Road Food Centre, Changi Village Hawker Centre, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Ghim Moh Market and East Coast Lagoon Food Village. Meanwhile, here’s how Kamiya Jani explored Singapore with her daughter: