Carnival brings back spirit of kampung

Siau Ming En Straits Times 10 Jun 12;

The Bottle Tree Park in Yishun was transformed into a mini-kampung yesterday as part of a volunteer initiative to get Singaporeans to connect with their roots.

Organised by non-profit group Ground-Up Initiative, the event is the latest in Heritage Kampung, the group's five-month campaign which started in February.

The two-day carnival, which began yesterday, included several exhibitions that showcased popular kampung games, such as playing with marbles and kicking capteh - a game where players try to keep a shuttlecock in the air without using their hands.

Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who visited the carnival yesterday, said that he hoped the event would encourage more to go outdoors and meet people.

He said: 'To me the kampung spirit is getting together as a community, rather than playing on your own PSP, Xbox and iPad.'

Business development director Caleb Ong, 35, was sewing up a set of 'five stones' - another popular traditional children's game - with his seven-year-old daughter at the event yesterday.

He said he brought his daughter to the event to let her experience the 'kampung spirit - the idea of sharing'.

The carnival is open today from 10am to 8pm. Admission is free.