MEDIA RELEASE: Armenian Heritage Gallery Singapore
Located at the newly renovated Parsonage building, situated adjacent to the Singapore Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator on Hill Street in Singapore, the Armenian Heritage Gallery aims to enhance the level of community outreach and engagement by providing a comprehensive, interactive learning experience that explores the journey and achievements of the Armenian Communities in Singapore and Asia from the early days of settlement through to the present day. It is the first Armenian museum of its kind to be established in Asia.
The Heritage Gallery comprises multiple elements including a museum, library and a small gift shop, and features rare artifacts, books, photos and other historical items collected from the various community archives in Singapore, Asia, Armenia and worldwide. As part of the Singapore Government’s Heritage Trail, the Armenian Heritage Gallery will be an important destination on the cultural route for Armenians and visitors alike in Singapore.
“The Armenian Heritage Gallery will complement the visitor’s experience to the Singapore Armenian Church, which was gazetted a National Monument in 1973, and will provide the visitor greater access to the Armenian Community’s rich history in Singapore and the region,” explained Mr. Pierre Hennes, Trustee of the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator Singapore.
Members of the public can start visiting the Armenian Heritage Gallery from 7 June 2018 on an appointment-only basis until construction of the adjacent new Armenian Community Centre is complete, after which it will be open to the public.
The CEO of the Singapore National Heritage Board Ms. Chang Hwee Nee and His Grace Bishop Haigazoun Najarian, Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand officially opened the Armenian Heritage Gallery on Thursday 24 May 2018. As Singapore commemorates its bicentennial in 2019, the Singapore Bicentennial welcomes the timely opening of the Armenian Heritage Gallery which will bring another facet of Singapore’s community history to Singaporeans.
The Armenian Heritage Gallery is a collaboration between the Singapore Armenian Community and Armenian communities worldwide, and enjoys support under the National Heritage Board’s Heritage Project Grant. According to Mr. Alvin Tan, Assistant Chief Executive (Policy & Community) of the National Heritage Board: “The heritage gallery is a project worth supporting as it would not only showcase the distinctive heritage of the Armenian community but also facilitate inter-community understanding.”
The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator Singapore
183 Years in Singapore 1835 – 2018
60 Hill Street | Singapore 179366 | Tel. +65.6334.0141
www.armeniansinasia.org
Fact Sheet for the Armenian Heritage Gallery Singapore
Size of Gallery: 100 sqm.
Location: 60 Hill Street, Singapore 179366 (directly adjacent to the Armenian Church)
Getting there: Nearest MRT station is City Hall which connects to the North South Line and the East West Line. Take Exit B to the Armenian Church. Nearest Bus Stops: Armenian Church (04142) and Grand Park City Hall (04149).
Opening Hours: By invitation only (until construction of adjacent new Community Reception Hall is complete in early 2019, after which the Gallery will be open to the general public)
Admission charges: Free
For general enquiries: Email gallery@armeniansinasia.org
For group visits: Email gallery@armeniansinasia.org at least one week before the visit. Do also note that the maximum capacity for the Heritage Gallery is 30 visitors at any one time. Visitors may be asked to return at a later timeslot if the Heritage Gallery is full.
For guided tour: Guided tours of the gallery are available on request.
Maximum capacity: 30 visitors
Exhibits for viewing: Information panels about Armenia, the Armenian Church, Armenian
Communities in Singapore and Asia, artefacts, artwork, a small library and a gift shop.
Other museums nearby: Peranakan Museum (39 Armenian Street, S179941) and National Museum of Singapore (93 Stamford Road, S178897)
Nearest amenities: Nearest dining and washroom facilities are at Raffles City Shopping Centre
