Urban Culture Asia Ipoh (2017)

Ipoh (2023)

Johor Bahru (2023)

Melaka (2022)

Manila (2019)

Jakarta (2016)

August 24 – 27, 2017

Following our inaugural trip to Jakarta in 2016, Urban Culture Asia 2017 (UCA) brought 28 Singaporeans on a journey to Ipoh this year for a taste of its legendary culinary delights, a glimpse of its rich cultural and architectural heritage and of new opportunities for cross-border collaborations.

We visited 22 Hale Street, a social enterprise café nestled within Ipoh’s historical enclave; PORT (People of Remarkable Talent), a creative cluster which aims to open up more space and opportunities for Perakian youth to develop their talents in the arts and entrepreneurship; KooKee Ipoh Oldtown, a furniture shop and art gallery; Sekeping Kong Hong, where we got an insight into the adaptive reuse of the historical building; and visits to Yasmin Ahmad Museum, V Nest Bird Nest, Chang Jian Coffee, Kek Lok Tong Cave and a pomelo farm.

This edition of UCA was held in conjunction with the eighth edition of CausewayEXchange (CEX), an arts and culture platform that fosters a deeper understanding between the peoples of Singapore and Malaysia. The festival opened with world fusion music group Flame of the Forest and Malaysian fusion band Pandavas, and also featured Projek Suitcase by Teater Ekamatra at 22 Hale Street and Sarang Paloh Heritage Stay, CEX Poetry Slam, Singapore Literature Prize Authors Showcase of literary panel discussion and readings as well as Singapore Heritage Short Film Showcase. CEX made its mark in Ipoh (literally!) with an outdoor wall mural by Singapore mural painter Yip Yew Chong and a collaborative work between Singapore’s Band of Doodlers and their counterparts from Malaysia that signifies the enduring friendship between the two neighbours.