ITI Panel Explores Intercultural Practice and Cultural Heritage at Malay Heritage Centre

ITI hosted a panel discussion titled "Not for Granted: Finding an Intercultural Way of Being" on Sunday, 13 September 2026, at the Malay Heritage Centre Auditorium as part of the Kampong Gelam Festival.

Supported by the Malay Heritage Centre, the public forum brought together ITI alumni Al-Matin Yatim, Tysha Khan, Yazid Jalil, and Wan Ahmad alongside Faizah Jamal, a third-generation resident of Kampong Gelam and co-founder of Alunan Kampung Gelam, and fourth-generation resident Azura Farid. The session was moderated by ITI Director of Advancement Colin Goh.

The conversation tackled complex themes surrounding identity, cultural appropriation, belonging, authenticity, gentrification, and how genuine intercultural encounters shape artistic and personal growth.

Drawing from their training in traditional Asian forms — including Noh, Jingju, Kutiyattam, and Wayang Wong — the ITI alumni reflected on their time at the institute not as cultural tourism, but as intense encounters that unsettled habits, challenged assumptions, and allowed them to return to their own traditions with renewed perspectives.

Grounding the discussion in the surrounding historic precinct, Faizah Jamal and Azura Farid highlighted Kampong Gelam’s long heritage of cultural exchange, examining how a neighbourhood can maintain its living cultural identity amidst rapid gentrification and urban change.

Summarising a key takeaway from the session, Colin noted that being rooted in one's background and remaining open to others are not mutually exclusive: "An intercultural way of being doesn’t ask us to become less of who we are. It asks us to know where we come from, cross the distance towards someone else with genuine curiosity and humility, and be willing to come back changed."

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where audience members joined the speakers in an open exchange of stories and perspectives.

ITI extends its sincere thanks to the panellists, the Malay Heritage Centre, Alunan Kampung Gelam, and all attendees for contributing to a nuanced, deeply human, and thought-provoking discussion.