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Singapore is no stranger to most of us living in Southeast Asia- and the world. The island-state is known for its richness in cultural diversity as a result of the diverse ethnic background found among its citizens. When referring to Singapore, towering skyscrapers and endless greens found in parks and botanic gardens may come to mind. Singapore is often overlooked for its traditional handicrafts, which reflect the diversity of the country’s cultural heritage.

In the age of mass production and in the midst of the high-rises of Singapore, traditional craft, the ‘vanishing trade’, has been and continues to be essential to Singapore society, both in terms of economic and environmental sustainability, providing a sense of identity and improving well-being, as well as in terms of protecting, adapting and transmitting culture and traditional wisdom. By linking the stories of various craftspeople and entrepreneurs from related cultural industries in Singapore, the speaker seeks to present a sustainable future in which traditional intangible heritage can be revitalized and passed down to future generations.