Operations director Ang Jin Yong of TrendLit Publishing, which specialises in local Chinese literature, believes the culture pass will serve as a “valuable kickstarter” and suggested introducing a second tranche to “extend its impact”.
He is concerned that people would have already finished using their credits on other programmes before the initiative expands to include SingLit (Singapore literature).
The culture pass mainly covers in-person, communal activities for now, but the credits can also be used to purchase SingLit books at a later stage. Details have yet to be announced.
For now, on its part, TrendLit Publishing is offering a curated tour based off their recent title, Streets And Places Of Singapore 2. It will bring the book’s narratives “to life on the ground”, said Ang.
“We believe this pairing will encourage culture pass users to engage with local literature more meaningfully, while offering them an enriching and memorable encounter with Singapore’s cultural landscape.”
Ho from The Urbanist Singapore, too, believes the culture pass would fulfil its mission “only if (it) is seen not as a one-off discount but as the start of a journey”.
To help new participants better appreciate local heritage in the longer-term, his tour offerings involve months of independent archival and on-site research, and represent stories that “few, if any, others are telling”, he said.
“Heritage is about connection, and once people experience how history and urban design come alive on a walk, they are more likely to seek out other similar experiences.”
Similarly, Heng from Wild Rice hopes people watching its shows for the first time with culture pass credits will have “such a good experience that they’ll keep coming back”.
To grow this commitment, Wild Rice must keep offering “stories that reflect who we are and how we live”, he said. “When audiences recognise themselves on stage, that connection can last a lifetime.”
