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What is CTRL+HERITAGE?
CTRL+HERITAGE is a youth symposium and hackathon where culture meets action.
Designed as a platform for youths 18 -35 years old to explore Singapore’s living heritage, it goes beyond conversations, inviting participants to become co-creators of culture rather than just observers.
Across two immersive days, participants engage with artists, designers, storytellers, and community practitioners to uncover real stories, real spaces, and real challenges. From there, they develop ideas that evolve into tangible projects with community impact.
Because heritage is not just about preserving the past, it is about shaping what comes next.
This commissioned Ctrl+Heritage key visual is created by local illustrator Jayne Ong
DAY 1
Conversations with Youth Creators
Step into a farmer’s market of ideas — wander through booths, chat with youth creators, and experience their work up close.
Inspiration
Kick off with powerful keynotes and sharings from practitioners across art, storytelling, design, and community building, exploring how heritage can be reimagined today.
Learning Labs
Dive into hands-on sessions such as:
- Heritage storytelling in the digital age
- Game design rooted in culture
- Community-centred placemaking
DAY 2
Real-World Exploration
Step into Chinatown as a living lab, engaging directly with heritage businesses, clan associations, and community stakeholders
Hackathon Experience
Work in teams to develop ideas and solutions grounded in real insights, guided by mentors and experts.
Pitch & Launch
Present your ideas, receive feedback, and stand a chance to secure funding and mentorship to bring your project to life.
WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY
"Dear Lynn and CTRL+ Heritage Organising Team,
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for putting together such a meaningful and enjoyable experience at the CTRL+ Heritage Youth Symposium & Hackathon.
Even though our group was randomly selected, that only made the experience more special — we quickly found our footing together, bonded as a team, and genuinely enjoyed every part of the journey.
Thank you again for creating a programme that brings young people closer to heritage in such an engaging and hands-on way. It was an experience we will not forget."
Benjamin Tan
Heritage Co-Creator
Which part of the symposium was most valuable to you, and why?
"Honestly every part. All the sharings that the speakers gave and the routes that we were headed on were all critical in providing us with the amount of insight we have now. In particular, I really enjoyed the sharings by the OGS founder on how to storytell — an important skill missing in today’s generation. And the chance to talk to the Ku Su association’s bosses — because they very deeply dissected the issues with preserving heritage and had a very granular understanding of the industry."
Clara Tan
Heritage Co-Creator
What were your key takeaways from the symposium?
"We have to know why we preserve heritage and what exactly we are preserving. I also learnt that good storytelling is relevant to your target audience and having a brand voice/persona is important. I also learnt more about hawker and traditional Chinese medical ointments and the challenges they face to remain relevant."
Esther Lau
Heritage Co-Creator
As a history major, I'm always looking for opportunities to engage with Singapore's heritage beyond the classroom. Since this was also my very first hackathon (and one centred on heritage, no less) it felt like the perfect opportunity to sign up for it!
Day 1 was a real highlight. I left with fresh perspectives, thoughtful conversations, and plenty of notes. I especially appreciated Firdaus Sani's session on Unlocking Grants & Growing Community Movements. As someone who has long admired the work of Orang Laut SG, it was inspiring to hear about the dedication behind preserving and advocating for a living cultural heritage.
A big thank you to Cornelius Tan for sharing his passion and candid reflections on the evolving landscape of Singapore's hawker culture during our walk through the wet market at Chinatown Complex. It's very clear that preserving hawker culture is a topic that you hold close to your heart 💌
As we later journeyed along the streets of Chinatown, we arrived at Chop Wah On, Singapore's oldest medicated balm and oil manufacturer. Meeting the Tong family and hearing about their journey gave us a glimpse into how a business rooted in centuries-old TCM continues to adapt to changing government regulations and the realities of the modern world. This issue isn't a unique one, but it certainly raises important questions on how heritage businesses can remain relevant without losing the traditions that define them.
Huge thanks to Lynn Wong and Bridging Generations for organising such a meaningful event. It was encouraging to see so many young people coming together to think creatively about how we can preserve and reimagine our shared heritage.
Sarrah Nabilah Binte Mokhlas
Heritage Co-Creator
I was in the placemaking learning lab where I learnt the idea of closing the loop. This taught me the significance of closing a loop in any scenario as it can potentially change the outcome of the scenario to a positive one. Moreover, I learnt about different ways to engage people and ensure their ideas are heard to make a positive change within neighbourhoods and also in society as a whole.
In addition, I was also amazed by the various talks that taught everyone of the history of cultures and how great of an impact culture is in our society which further drove my passion to create impactful and positive changes in my society and promote cultural appreciation among youths.
I am really grateful and honoured to be part of the youth symposium and hackathon this year and I am really eager to partake in more activities that come along the way and strive more positive changes in my society with other like-minded youths.
Sasvint
Heritage Co-Creator
My mentor was passionate, kind, engaging, and was able to articulate clearly the rationale behind the training materials; encouraged us to think more deeply into what and why we were proposing certain ideas/solutions; and challenged us to think of different perspectives and viewpoints
Wong Kang Zheng
Heritage Co-Creator
Yip Yew Chong
Artist
Keynote Speaker
Bridging Generations Through
Art & Memory
Dr Wong Yew Leong
NIE Lecturer
Guest Speaker
Design Thinking for Social Impact:
Turning Ideas into Action
Firdaus Sani
Founder of Orang Laut SG
Guest Speaker
From Idea to Impact: Unlocking Grants & Growing Community Movements
DISCOVER DIVERSE HERITAGE THEMES
Choose Your Path. Build Your Impact.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
CTRL+HERITAGE is for youth between the ages of 18 to 35 who are:
✔ Curious about culture, heritage, and identity
✔ Interested in community work, storytelling, design, or social impact
✔ Looking to turn ideas into something real
✔ Open to collaborating across disciplines and backgrounds
Whether you are a creative, a thinker, a builder, or simply someone searching for meaning, this is a space for you. No prior experience in culture or heritage required.
JOIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR A TEAM
You can join in two ways:
(a) As an individual: Sign up on your own and we’ll match you with a team based on shared interests.
(b) As a group of 4: Form a team with your friends. In the registration, you will be asked to provide:
i) Your group name (create one so we can identify your team)
ii) Full names of all 4 members
iii) Emails of all 4 members
Important: All participants must complete the registration form individually.
Why be part of CTRL+HERITAGE?
Because this is not just another symposium.
You get to turn ideas into action and have the opportunity to work on real-world heritage challenges and develop solutions that matter
You will learn from leading heritage practitioners, and engage with artists, filmmakers, designers, and community leaders shaping Singapore’s cultural landscape
Be part of something bigger and join a growing movement of youth shaping the future of heritage in Singapore
13 & 14 June 2026 | 9am to 6pm | Glass Dome at China St
TURN YOUR IDEAS INTO IMPACT
🎤 2-days of masterclasses by leading changemakers
🤝 Work with stakeholders on real-world issues
💰 Top 5 teams each get $5,000 funding + mentorship
Our Inaugural Edition was a blast.
Follow us for the next edition
Join our mailing list to be updated
Brought to you by Bridging Generations. 2026. All Rights Reserved.