For this episode of Red Dot Voices, I spoke to Alvin Yapp.
In 2003, Alvin founded The Intan. As well as being his home in Joo Chiat, The Intan is a museum which is open to the public and houses his collection of over 5,000 Peranakan antiques.
The Intan has featured internationally on CNN, The Washington Post and even the Singapore Airlines safety video.
I was lucky enough to visit for the first time two years ago, and it was a really fun introduction to an area of Singaporean history I knew very little about. Alvin is a born storyteller and an authority on Peranakan culture.
For this interview we discussed what Peranakan culture is, how he learnt about his heritage growing up, his extensive travels, and some of the extraordinary stories behind items in his collection.
You can also find this episode on iTunes, Spotify, Overcast and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
Show Notes
- First experience of Peranakan theatre (01:28)
- Learning about Peranakan culture growing up (03:15)
- Defining Peranakan identity and culture (06:03)
- Background on the Intan building (11:51)
- Is enough being done to protect Peranakan culture (13:12)
- How can people learn more about the culture (17:16)
- When and where would Alvin go to with a time machine (19:34)
- World War II impact on Peranakan community (21:17)
- Childhood collecting (23:22)
- Learning from travels (26:25)
- Visit to Pakistan (30:14)
- How Alvin learned to be a collector (34:43)
- Stories attached to pieces in the collection (36:20)
- Plans for expanding the collection (42:34)
- Advice Alvin would you give to his younger self for collecting (44:08)
- Single item to save from a fire (46:31)
- Quick fire questions on Singapore (46:55)
- Which creative person would you like to shine a spotlight on? (52:25)
- Who would you like to say thank you to and why? (53:14)
Links
- The Intan website
- The Intan on Tripadvisor
- The Intan on Airbnb
- CNN feature
- Washington Post feature
- Singapore Airlines safety video (The Intan features from 00:23-01:00)
- Eden + Elie
- Peranakan Museum A-Z Guide
- Ho Wing Meng Amazon author page
- Mr and Mrs Moghan Super Crispy Prata
- Airport Road Food Centre
- Guan Hoe Soon
- Chilli Padi
- Violet Oon
- Candlenut
- True Blue
Getting In Touch
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Disclaimer
Unless otherwise stated, I do not receive any payment or gifts in kind for endorsement. I also promise never to try and sell you Fit Tea.
Henry Yorke 