Singapore’s oldest Teochew temple to receive UNESCO Award of Merit at Ceremony
SINGAPORE, April 10, 2015 – Yueh Hai Ching Temple, also known as Wak Hai Cheng Bio in the Teochew dialect, will receive the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award of Merit from Dr Tim Curtis, Head of Culture, UNESCO Bangkok on April 24. The ceremony at Mandarin Orchard Singapore at 12pm will be presided by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Lawrence Wong.
Prior to the ceremony on the same day, Dr Curtis will visit the Temple, a National Monument, at 10.15am and be guided by Architectural Conservator, Dr Yeo Kang Shua, one of the consultants, who worked on the recent major restoration.
The UNESCO awards were set up in 2000 to recognise and encourage private sector’s efforts and public-private initiatives in successfully restoring structure of heritage value in the region.
The award for the Temple recognises the meticulous conservation work carried out in 2011 to retain the building’s original patina and the ceramic ornamentations, a key feature of the Temple.
The major restoration that took more than two years to complete required the expertise of 45 craftsmen from Shantou China to work on the roof, timber sculptures, murals etc.
The effort also earned the Temple a URA Architectural Heritage Award last October.
Managed by The Ngee Ann Kongsi since 1845, the Temple was an important stop for immigrants in the early days to pray to the Goddess of the Sea for a safe journey. Located in the midst of prime business district in Raffles Place, the Temple is frequented by the office crowds during lunch hour and devotees during major festivals.
About The Ngee Ann Kongsi
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