Armenian Street Party returns with an expanded four week run to celebrate recipes, stories, and craftsmanship found in our Peranakan communities. From a one-of-a-kind tok panjang experience and an In-Kueh-Dible bouncy castle, to a Peranakan afterparty on Armenian Street, the public can be inspired by the rich and diverse Peranakan food culture found in our region. Titled Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Pasar, the eighth edition marks the festival’s annual return in March as part of Peranakan Museum’s calendar of events. This year’s festival runs from 8 to 31 March 2024. 

Mr Kennie Ting, Director of Peranakan Museum, said, “We are so happy to host another edition of Armenian Street Party alongside our diverse community partners, many of which are first time collaborators with Peranakan Museum. This year’s theme allows all of us to rediscover Peranakan heritage through our beloved national pastimes of feasting and shopping, and is also a small step towards positioning Armenian Street as a precinct associated with craft, design, artisanship and makers. Come join in the many fun programmes and workshops we’ve lined up this weekend.”

Armenian Street shines with a night market, art installations and inaugural project mapping 

Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Pasar features a vibrant line-up that pairs closely with Peranakan Museum’s galleries on origins, ceramics and food culture, allowing visitors to imagine life amongst the Peranakan community. 

Artist’s impression of the façade artwork. Courtesy of Yip Yew Chong. 

Peranakan Museum comes alive with Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong’s first foray into digital animation and projection mapping, as he lights up the façade with Mari Kita Makan. As an extension of his captivating and nostalgic murals across Singapore, Mari Kita Makan is a visual storytelling of a Peranakan feast. Audiences will be enchanted by a Nyonya and her grandson bonding as they mix spices and herbs together, joyous scenes of a multicultural tok panjang (long table) family dinner, and the sharing of Peranakan kuehs (sweet and savoury snacks) to end the meal.

Courtesy of Bunch of Monkeys

Moving further along into Armenian Street, festival-goers can satisfy their kueh-vings as they encounter a medley of whimsical larger-than-life inflatable Peranakan kuehs, aptly named The In-Kueh-Dibles. Designed by design team Bunch of Monkeys, ang ku kueh, nine layer kueh, rice kueh and other colourful variations are peppered along the street, presenting interactive opportunities to play and pose with these inflatables. During the opening weekend, children aged seven and above will be treated to a special In-Kueh-Dible inflatable bouncy castle. Festival-goers can also keep their eyes peeled for a roving theatrical performance titled Kueh on the Run by The Second Breakfast Company, where they can join a quest to capture three mischievous kuehs on the loose.

Other opening weekend highlights include The Peranakan Pasar, which will bring together cooking demonstrations, food kiosks, and a showcase of kitchenware, antiques, collectibles, and more at the Peranakan-inspired night market. Festival-goers can indulge in their favourite Peranakan snacks and dishes by Shermay’s Singapore Fine Food, HarriAnns Nonya Table, and other familiar brands. As night falls, the dance floor will light up Armenian Street with Afterparty: Peranakan Beats, supported by the Peranakan Association Singapore, the Arab Network @ Singapore and the Chitty Melaka (Peranakan Indian) Association Singapore. People of all walks of life are invited to groove to the pulsating beats of the parai drum and other distinctive music enjoyed by Peranakan communities.

Delight in culinary magic with a communal dining experience

Courtesy of Allspice Institute

Venture into Peranakan Museum, dine and enjoy an intimate Peranakan communal dinner with a contemporary twist with Tok Panjang: A Communal Dining Experience. This lavish, celebratory feast is the cornerstone of major Peranakan occasions, and the ticketed programme will feature a curated halal-friendly menu that brings together the cuisine of various Peranakan communities for a unique experience. Supported by Allspice Institute, this unforgettable dinner is served on antique tableware and kitchen accessories along with performances of Peranakan dance and music, hosted by veteran performer and Steward of ICH recipient, Baba GT Lye. The experience is a hearty treat that demonstrates how the displays at the museum’s Ceramics and Food Culture gallery are used in Peranakan families. More information on how to save a seat at the dinner table and other programmes can be found in Annex B. 

First-time partnerships offer creative ways to experience Peranakan culture 

Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Pasar will feature new partnerships between Peranakan Museum and Peranakan communities to bring unique, authentic, and innovative experiences to festival-goers.

Courtesy of NParks

Highlights include the Spice Gallery Tour, organised by National Parks Board (NParks) in partnership with Peranakan Museum. The journey through nature will begin from Fort Canning Park and conclude at the museum’s Home and Life gallery, introducing a deep dive into the precinct’s storied past and how these botanical treasures have influenced Peranakan cuisine and ceremonial practices. Those looking for hands-on opportunities can join in the fun with workshops held in Peranakan Museum, such as Wrap It Up! Batik Beeswax Food Wrap Making by environmentalist and sustainability advocate Melissa Lam, founder of Bamboo Straw Girl. After gathering inspiration from Peranakan Museum’s permanent galleries, visitors can also enjoy unique crafts like making paper thoranam, miniature kueh clay accessories, and a custom mini-batik to take home. More information about the tours, workshops, and drop-in craft activities can be found in Annex D. 

Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Pasar runs from 8 to 31 March 2024. Entry to the festival is free, with some ticketed programmes or activities that require pre-registration. For more information, please visit https://www.nhb.gov.sg/peranakanmuseum/whatson/programmes.