Mr. Michael Koh, CEO, National Heritage Board
Ms Priscylla Shaw, Chairman, Asian Civilisations Museum
Mr. Xie Zhixiu, Director, Shandong Provincial Cultural Bureau and Deputy Director, Shandong Provincial Department of Culture
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
1 I am pleased to join you this evening at the Peranakan Museum for the official opening of Serenity in Stone: The Qingzhou Discovery. In April last year, I was here for the opening of this museum, and I am delighted that it has attracted more than 170,000 visitors within this short period. It is even more encouraging when I hear that the large majority of the visitors were Singaporeans and those residing here.
2 The Asian Civilisations Museum, which has organised this exhibition, is also drawing in more visitors every year. The year-on-year growth for November 2008 in comparison to November 2007 is 23 per cent. We have also seen good growth in visitorship to museums. In 2008, 2.5 million people visited the National Heritage Board’s seven museums and heritage centres, an increase of 45 per cent from 2007. The NHB’s outreach activities, such as the ‘Singapore Heritage Festival’, travelling exhibitions, talks and seminars, also attracted close to 4.3 million visitors, a six per cent increase from 2007. These developments are highly encouraging as it reflects that the quality of shows and exhibitions put up by our museums are finding resonance with Singaporeans, both in learning our own heritage as well as that of cultures from around the world. It also shows the important role of museums in promoting inter-racial and inter-religious understanding and harmony. In an unpredictable world order, and in the midst of the current economic challenges, the social fabric of our society must be resilient enough to withstand threats and challenges in any form.
3 This exhibition, Serenity in Stone: The Qingzhou Discovery, showcases one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century in China. The sculptures, dating back to the 6th century, were discovered in a pit on the site of the long destroyed Longxing (龙兴) Temple in Qingzhou, Shandong Province in eastern China. I am told that these well preserved sculptures possess distinct aesthetics from the late Northern Wei and Eastern Wei dynasties, to the Northern Qi dynasty. These sculptures have previously travelled to world-renowned museums such as the National Museum of History in Beijing, Royal Academy of Arts in London, Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington D.C. and most recently, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia. We are proud that Singapore is the first Southeast Asian venue to be hosting this exhibition.
4 I would like to thank Mr. Xie Zhixiu, Director of the Shandong Provincial Cultural Bureau and Deputy Director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, and Mr. Lu Wensheng, Director of the Shandong Provincial Museum, for giving us the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of some of China’s best preserved treasures.
5 I am heartened by the generosity of the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple for being the sole sponsor of this exhibition. Its philanthropic activities over the years have benefited Singaporeans from all walks of life. I appreciate the Temple’s support, and I hope that other organisations will continue to support the arts and heritage during the current economic climate.
6 With more of such partnerships among the public, private and people organisations, we can hasten the reality of making Singapore a global city for culture and the arts. It is pleasing to note that the cultural sector has been receiving significant contributions. Total contribution to arts and culture, whether in terms of cash, in-kind or artefact donations, has risen to $47.7 million in 2007, up from $29.5 million in 2004. Over the past two years, more than 70 companies, foundations, organisations and 65 individuals have been recognised by the NHB for donations in cash, as well as in-kind and artefact loans.
7 I will like to congratulate Dr. Kenson Kwok and the team at Asian Civilisations Museum for organising this exhibition at The Peranakan Museum. The Asian Civilisations Museum has been carrying out its vision of promoting the awareness and appreciation of the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans, and continues to do so with excellence.
8 I am also looking forward to an exciting line up of exhibitions and events put up by NHB for the rest of 2009. From March to June, the Asian Civilisations Museum will be showing The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City. The exhibition showcases treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, and offers visitors another rare glimpse into the fascinating history of China. In late April, the Peranakan Museum will be organising a weekend of festivities to celebrate its first anniversary. These are exciting entries in the local museum calendar, and I invite every one to actively participate in the activities.
9 On this note, I now declare the exhibition, Serenity in Stone: The Qingzhou Discovery, open. I wish everyone a pleasant evening as you take in the marvels that this exhibition offers. Thank you.
