A young Teochew opera performer’s passion to preserve tradition

Meet the 9-year-old who picked Teochew opera over ballet at age 3

In the middle of a family meal at a Teochew restaurant, I unexpectedly crossed paths with a quiet chapter of our heritage. Right across the road from the restaurant at Phillip Street stands Yueh Hai Ching Temple 粵海清廟, a heritage Teochew Taoist temple I almost walked past. Inside, this incredible 3D-style wall mural carving depicting a Teochew opera scene — 🐉 , stories, craftsmanship frozen in time. As I panned the camera up, the contrast hit me: ancient art below, and above it, Singapore’s towe