Yearly Theme 2025 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Create”

At the beginning of the year 2025, I wrote about my Yearly Theme 2025 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage), I chose “Create”.

I wanted to create more stories with my interactions with other creative from other genres and industries. In 2025, through the different genres of wonderful programmes, exhibitions, and performances at SCCC, I have found myself getting deeper into some sectors of my Chinese history, heritage, culture, society and language, that I haven’t really go in-depth.

One of them was learning more about Chinese opera (and I still have a long way to go), fulfilling my local Nanyang kopi pilgrimage that I wanted to do years back (some would know what I am referring to!), watching contemporary Chinese dance and cultural performances that made me realised that there are so much more talent that deserves more coverage and recognition.

Although my stories and coverage of the various SCCC events that I attended in 2025 were more of visual storytelling, I hope that through my humble stories and photos, I have helped to create more awareness and publicity, especially for those organisations and programmes that need more publicity and awareness of the wonderful stuff they are doing for the history, heritage, culture and language sectors in Singapore. 

TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped 

Inspired by my Spotify “Your 2025 Wrapped), presenting my TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped, let’s go back in time for a recap of SCCC events that I attended/covered in 2025.

Recap of SCCC Events 2025

Festivals

1. SCCC CNYFF 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/celebrate-chinese-new-year-2025-the-singapo%e4%ba%ba-way-in-cbd 
2. SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/arts/sccc-cultural-extravaganza-2025-returns-from-9-may-to-7-june 
3. Chinese Opera Festival 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-and-nac-collaborate-to-debut-chinese-opera-festival-2025 
4. SCCC Mid-Autumn Festival Family Fun (MAFF) 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/events/celebrate-mid-autumn-family-fun-2025-at-sccc-and-sco-on-4-5-october 
5. REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/remix-singapo%e4%ba%ba-youth-takeover-at-sccc-expect-the-unexpected 
6. SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-winter-solstice-sg60-community-celebration-event-2025 

Exhibitions and Talks

1. The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti! – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/come-lim-kopi-and-jiak-roti-at-the-nanyang-breakfast-club 
2. City SingaPOP – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/see-how-city-singapop-in-a-very-colourful-artistic-different-light 
3. Healing Heritage: A Journey Through the Evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Singapore – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-presents-healing-heritage-story-of-tcm-in-singapore 
4. Brewing Nostalgia: Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Special Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/a-special-exhibition-on-traditional-kopitiams-of-singapore-malaysia-and-thailand 
5. Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/special-exhibition-at-sccc-tradition-in-motion-singapores-lion-dance-heritage 
6. Chingay in Singapore and Malaysia Seminar
7. SG, You’ve Got Mail!
8. Built on Memory: Tracing Singapore’s CBD Through Time

Arts 

1. Intersections – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/arts/intersections-by-dance-ensemble-singapore-at-sccc-cultural-extravaganza-2025 
2. World Mental Health Day 2025: Currents of Care by Very Small Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/world-mental-health-day-2025 
3. Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums  

My Key Memorable Highlights from my SCCC 2025 Visual Storytelling Journeys 

Personally for me, this list of SCCC events below that I attended in 2025 were my key memorable highlights for me in my SCCC 2025 visual storytelling journeys.

Exhibitions and Talks

• The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti!
• Brewing Nostalgia: Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Special Exhibition

The above two exhibitions fulfilled my local Nanyang kopi pilgrimage journey that I started around a decade back, wanting to know and explore more about local Nanyang kopi history, heritage and culture.

Celebrating Our Arts

• Intersections
• Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums

I wasn’t much into performing arts, whether they are traditional or contemporary. In 2025, I was introduced to more performing arts, from traditional to contemporary. There were two arts performances, Intersections and Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums, leaving deep impressions inside me.

From learning, understanding and appreciating traditional and contemporary arts performances, there’s also a inner connection with my creative and visual storytelling that opens up new perspectives and approaches inside me.

Celebrating Our Festivals 

• CNYFF 2025
• MAFF 2025
• SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event 2025

Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival are two major cultural events inside SCCC lineup, attracting visitors and participation. The SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event in 2025 was unique and fun, hope they can keep it going and make it an annual Winter Solstice event at SCCC!  

Sneak Preview of SCCC Events 2026

SCCC in Year 2025 organised a diverse and exciting lineup of different programmes, exhibitions, talks, festivals, and performances, setting a high standard and benchmark to follow up in the coming year 2026. 

For Year 2026, SCCC has an extensive, an even more diverse and exciting lineup, here’s a sneak preview of SCCC events 2026! I would not go into too much details on the listing below, stay curious, stay tuned, follow SCCC on their social media channels for more updates and information on the SCCC events 2026 lineup closer to the event dates!

Exhibitions and Talks

• Singapore TV: From Local to Global Special Exhibition (July 2026 to January 2027)
• Heroic Moves Travelling Exhibition (April to October 2026)
• Common Ground Artspace Exhibition (April 2026 to April 2027)
• Chinatowns of the World International Conference (17 and 18 October 2026)

Festivals – Celebrating Our Arts

• Children’s Festival 2026 (Title TBC) (19 to 21 June)
• Cultural Extravaganza 2026 (7 May to 7 June)
• REMIX 2026 (July)

Programmes – Celebrating Our Festivals

• Zhongyuan Festival (17 to 23 August)
• CNY Family FUN 2026 (30 January to 1 February)
• Mid-Autumn Family FUN 2026 (19 to 20 September)

Programmes – Celebrating Our Music

• Sing浪 Concert (31 October)
• TGIF Music Station (April to March 2027)
• SG:SW | Write The Songs Finale Concert (October)
• Happy Sing-Along (April to March 2027)
• Tuesday Report Documentary on Xinyao/Local Chinese Songs (March)

My TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped

The sleeping dragon of SCCC has now awakened, under the leadership, direction and creative vision of Mr Alvin Tan, who took over as the CEO of SCCC in June 2024. SCCC has risen tall and proud, setting an exemplary example, showcasing the foundation, stage and direction of preserving history, heritage, traditions, striking a balance in modern times together with internet and social media. They are creating new directions for the future with its good mix of balancing tradition and modern exhibitions, programmes, performances, relating to Chinese history, heritage, culture, society and language all under one roof. 

What lies ahead for my TGH Photography x SCCC visual storytelling in 2026? Photos from my collection from attending those events at SCCC are gradually uploaded into this Flickr collection “Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre”. 

I hope to tell much deeper and more heartwarming stories from my interactions and connections, at the events, exhibitions, talks, and maybe special theme projects if the opportunity arises. 

Thank you Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre for an amazing, fun and great visual storytelling journey in 2025, inside my TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped!

The post My SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped and Sneak Preview of SCCC Events 2026 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Singapore and Thailand

This special exhibition is the first collaboration between SCCC with the High Commission of Malaysia and the Royal Thai Embassy Singapore, to commemorate the establishment of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Singapore and Thailand.

According to Mr Alvin Tan, CEO/SCCC: “There is no better way to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the two countries than with a photography exhibition on traditional kopitiams which can be found in all three countries. This is because kopitiams not only represent a common cultural experience shared by our three countries, they also symbolise the warm ties between our countries that endure even with the passing of time.” 

Mrs. Chonlatee Chanrachakul, Charge d’Affaires a.i. from Royal Thai Embassy Singapore said: “Kopitiams are more than just coffee shops; they are the enduring social pulse of our communities and a testament to the rich, interwoven cultural heritage of Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. This exhibition, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations, invites everyone to savor the shared taste of Nanyang coffee and kaya toast—a sweet reminder that our deep history and warm friendships are beautifully brewed together.”

24 B&W Photographs of various Traditional Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

This exhibition features 24 black-and-white photographs of various traditional kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, taken by award-winning travel photographer and write Lester V. Ledesma over a period of more than a year.

This series of black and white photographs of traditional kopitiams honours the region’s vibrant kopitiam culture. They are well-cherished and well-loved community gathering spaces, enduring icons of Southeast Asia lifestyle. 

Lester shot the photographs on black-and-white film using vintage cameras as a timeless tribute to the iconic yet humble kopitiam that we in Southeast Asia loved so much, authentically capturing the character, raw charm and kopitiam lifestyle, beautifully showcased across the different 24 black-and-white photographs on display.

Photographer Mr Lester V. Ledesma shared: “I started this project in early 2024 at a humble Singapore coffeehouse, with a roll of black-and-white film and a 70-years-old rangefinder camera. Brewing Nostalgia is my way of celebrating what has been part of my life in the two-plus decades that I’ve lived in Singapore and I am thankful to SCCC for their support in showcasing our rich, authentic and truly homegrown coffee heritage.” 

Nostalgic Memories – Planning to Re-Explore my Old Places and Traditional Kopitiams 

Looking at the different traditional kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, it brought back nostalgic memories of my childhood and travel days. The rustic, old school, laid back kopitiams, with their iconic wooden furniture, white marble table top, sipping my Nanyang kopi, with kaya bread toast and soft boiled eggs. 

In Singapore, there aren’t many traditional kopitiams around, most of them have changed with the modern times. Although I have visited some of the remaining traditional kopitiams in Singapore at North Bridge Road, Tanglin Halt and Lengkok Bahru, I have yet to check out the kopitiams at Jalan Benaan Kapal and Jalan Minyak. 

This is the time to reignite my nostalgic memories to re-explore those traditional kopitiams and old places in Singapore. 

As for those traditional kopitiams in Malaysia and Thailand, I will definitely keep a lookout for them when I travel and visit both countries again.

Brewing Nostalgia: Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand Special Exhibition

• Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Concourse, Level 1
• Dates: 3rd December 2025 to 30th April 2026
• Admission: Free

The post A Special Exhibition on Traditional Kopitiams of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore – A brief history and evolution 

While it may look like a humble and simple breakfast food to those who doesn’t know too much about this, the traditional Nanyang breakfast in Singapore tells a rich history and cultural heritage story. 

Pioneered by the Hainanese, and shaped by the diverse influences of Chinese, Malay, Peranakan, and Western cultures, the Nanyang breakfast I more than just a meal – It’s a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural identity. 

When you visit The Nanyang Breakfast Club, you will get a cosy and immersive clubhouse experience where you can learn more about the history and evolution of the traditional Nanyang breakfast. 

The Nanyang Breakfast Club has interactive displays, informative storytelling, and rich archival materials. This exhibition will also showcase the components and impact of this humble and iconic breakfast food on Singaporean life and culture, as well as the role of kopitiams (a.k.a. coffee shops) as community spaces that have connected generations of Singaporeans. 

According to Mr Alvin Tan, CEO/SCCC: “With this travelling exhibition, SCCC hopes to provide the historical, cultural and social context behind one of Singapore’s favourite breakfast staples, showcase how this traditional breakfast has evolved with the times, and highlight how local Chinese culture can be found in everyday life here in Singapore.” 

Heartwarming Nanyang Kopi Sharing and Brewing at The Nanyang Breakfast Club

At the media launch of The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi, Jiak Roti, we had a heartwarming kopi sharing from the curator on the exhibition. Thereafter, we heard heartwarming Nanyang kopi stories from Kim Guan Guan Coffee and probably Singapore’s No.1 Nanyang kopi fan Kopi Scott! 

As a fan of The Nanyang Breakfast myself, this session was heartwarming and fun, connecting and meeting Nanyang breakfast/kopi roasters and fans alike!

Kim Guan Guan Coffee

They have been suppling quality traditional coffee powder in Singapore for almost 40 years. Mr Jason Soon, founder of Kim Guan Guan Coffee, sharing stories about Nanyang kopi (coffee), as well demonstrating how to brew a cup of local kopi. Check out this TikTok video by Belinda Tan of Mr Jason Soon in action!

I managed to have some quick chats with Jason Soon, and also with some of his staff from Kim Guan Guan Coffee there were present at the media launch event, hearing about their kopi stories, hearing about robusta vs arabica coffee beans, roasting Nanyang kopi beans, where we can find/drink their kopi. It was fun, enriching, lim Nanyang kopi and chatting about everything Nanyang breakfast.

@bellaella7777 At today’s launch of @singaporeccc latest travelling exhibition “The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部, they had Jason Soon, Founder of Kim Guan Guan Coffee demonstrate how to brew a cup of local Kopi. Kim Guan Guan Coffee supplies to many local kopitiams. You can check out the interesting exhibition and discover how the Nanyang Kopi came about : The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部 Discover the rich history, cultural significance, and evolution of Singapore’s beloved Nanyang breakfast in this travelling exhibition! Step into a clubhouse setting and learn more about this iconic Singaporean breakfast, and become a proud member of the Nanyang Breakfast Club! 一起来探索南洋早餐背后的丰富历史、文化影响和演变过程！“南洋早餐俱乐部”巡回展以互动性十足的俱乐部为设计概念，带大家认识我们的国民早餐。 3 Apr – 2 May @ SingPost Centre, Level 2 新邮政中心 （二楼） 3 – 31 May @ Cheng San Public Library 成山公共图书馆 1 – 14 Jun @ Westgate, Level 1 西城购物中心 (一楼) 15 – 29 Jun @ Funan Basement 2 福南 (负二楼) #Singapore #NanyangBreakfast #kopi #kayatoast @yyann1214 @genghuitan @scott_in_sg ♬ original sound – Belinda

To find out more about Kim Guan Guan Coffee, please visit their website and Instagram! Remember to keep a look out for Kim Guan Guan (K.G.G kopi cup) at your local kopitiams and eating places!

Kopi Scott – Probably the No.1 fan of The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore!

Belinda Tan described this spot on, probably the No.1 of The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore! A Scottish guy loving The Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore so much that he outshines many of us in eating and sharing about traditional Nanyang Breakfast!

Scott is an amazing person, we can feel (and I can connect with) his immense love and passion for The Nanyang Breakfast, from his kopi stories sharing with us. I would love to hear, share and exchange more traditional Nanyang breakfast stories with Scott when future opportunity arises!

@bellaella7777 Probably the No. 1 fan of the Nanyang Breakfast in Singapore – Kopi Scott, aka @scott_in_sg ! I mean, he eats a Nanyang Breakfast of Kopi, soft-boiled eggs and Kaya toast every morning…..for the past 16 years! Beat his record! That’s like….. astounding! The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti 南洋早餐俱乐部 by @singaporeccc Discover the rich history, cultural significance, and evolution of Singapore’s beloved Nanyang breakfast in this travelling exhibition! Step into a clubhouse setting and learn more about this iconic Singaporean breakfast, and become a proud member of the Nanyang Breakfast Club! 一起来探索南洋早餐背后的丰富历史、文化影响和演变过程！“南洋早餐俱乐部”巡回展以互动性十足的俱乐部为设计概念，带大家认识我们的国民早餐。 3 Apr – 2 May @ SingPost Centre, Level 2 新邮政中心 （二楼） 3 – 31 May @ Cheng San Public Library 成山公共图书馆 1 – 14 Jun @ Westgate, Level 1 西城购物中心 (一楼) 15 – 29 Jun @ Funan Basement 2 福南 (负二楼) #kayatoast #kopi #NanyangBreakfast #Singapore ♬ original sound – Belinda

Check out this TikTok video by Belinda Tan of Kopi Scott passionately sharing about his daily morning Nanyang Breakfast of Nanyang kopi, soft-boiled eggs and kaya toast every morning for the past 16 years!

Follow Scott Kopi Nanyang breakfast adventures on Instagram and TikTok!

The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi, Jiak Roti Exhibition Dates and Locations

The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Kim Kopi, Jiak Roti will be travelling around Singapore across malls, schools and libraries till September 2025 before making its final stop at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) until November 2025. More details on exhibition dates and locations can be found in the table below.

The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Kim Kopi, Jiak Roti exhibition is supported by National Heritage Board and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, is part of SCCC’s SG60 programme offerings.

* Information courtesy of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and DSTNCT *

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