A letter to  Zaobao  highlights Bukit Brown’s heritage value to Singapore and  tourism (18th July, 2013)

Translated  by Desmond Sham

Singapore is a young country without many interesting built up  heritage.

Bukit Brown records the rich history of Singapore since its founding. It also has a unique Nanyang style tombs rarely seen in other places. It is a rare cultural heritage with character, and can be developed into an alternative tourist spot.

Cemeteries of monarchies in the world, the Chinese cemetery in the Philippines and Chin Pao San in Taiwan where the wealthy  are buried, have become famous tourist spots.

Although there are no Kings and high officials buried in Bukit Brown, there are Chinese nationalists in the Qing period and the pioneers who  contributed to Singapore. The whole cemetery is colourful and very diversified.

Besides different Chinese tombs of different dialect groups, there are also Western and Japanese tombs. Tombstones are written not only in Chinese, but also English, Dutch, Japanese, Thai as well as the colloquial language of the Peranakan. This is very rare in other places, and is attractive to both locals and foreigners who love history.

Singapore is a multiracial country. A “cemetery-themed” museum can be built next to the cemetery to illustrate the history of cemeteries and funeral cultures of different ethnic groups in Singapore. I’ve seen a cartoon illustrating the Emperors’ tombs and funeral rituals in China. It’s very interesting and popular with tourists. These can also  represent the multiracial history and culture of Singapore, and bring new life to its heritage. It can also be a place for the citizens especially  the younger ones, to gain knowledge about other ethnic groups. This will make the cemetery more meaningful.

There are many talented people in Singapore. I hope the administration can re-plan at least to preserve a large piece of  Bukit Brown, and not  let this valuable place with rich history  be destroyed.

Letter writer : 梁舒朗

将武吉布朗发展为历史旅游景点

新加坡是一个年轻的国家，有特色的历史遗迹不多。

武吉布朗记载着新加坡从开埠至今的深远及丰厚的历史，且具有独特的南洋风味，是其他地方少见的，可说是新加坡一个少有、既珍贵又具有特色的历史遗迹，具有发展成为一个另类的历史旅游景点的条件。

世界各国的帝皇将相陵墓，菲律宾的华人坟场，台湾一些大富大贵人士安葬的金宝山等等，都是闻名的旅游景点。

虽然武吉布朗埋葬的不是帝王将相（当中有一些是满清时代中国的爱国志士以及曾为加坡做出重大贡献的人士）；坟墓的建造并不宏伟壮观；或极尽奢华，令人惊叹，但由于新加坡当时特殊的历史背景，整个墓场的格式多彩缤纷，各异其趣。

除了大部分不同方言族群不同格式的中式坟墓外，也可见到一些西式和日式的坟墓。而墓铭除了中文外，也有一些英文、荷兰文、日文、泰文的墓铭，甚至一些土生华人将口语罗马化或汉化的特殊文字刻为墓铭。这是其他地方所罕见的，对喜爱历史的本地及外地人士，具有一定的魅力。

新加坡是一个多元种族的国家，如果能在坟场旁建造一个博物馆，以“坟山文化”为主题，集中介绍及展示有关新加坡各族坟山的历史；各族人士的丧葬文化（在中国看过以动画简单扼要地介绍帝皇陵墓的修建过程及丧葬仪式，生动有趣，很受游客喜爱）；具有代表性的出土文物等等，展现新加坡这个多元种族国家这方面的历史文化，为这片历史遗迹注入新的生命力，也可作为国人，尤其是年轻一代新加坡人认识他族文化的历史教室，使坟山的存在更加有意义。

新加坡不乏有才干的人士，希望有关当局能重新策划（至少能保留大部分重要的地段） ，别把这块有着丰富历史底蕴又深具特色的宝地给毁了。

梁舒朗

Brownie Keng Kiat explaining one of 24 stories on filial piety (photo Victor Lim)