How I found my home and heart in our Bukit Brown: Claire Leow at TEDxSingapore

Driven by a fascination with heritage, Claire Leow founded All Things Bukit Brown that became an integral part of her life and brought together a group of volunteers passionate about the Heritage, Habitat, History of Bukit Brown. Together, they raise awareness of this oldest Chinese cemetery in Singapore that is also the largest outside China. Claire has been a journalist for over 21 years and loves photography, community projects, travel and visiting historic sites. She has visited all the world's continents, including Antarctica.
About TEDxSingapore
TEDxSingapore celebrated its 4rd anniversary by curating our 21st TEDx event since our launch on 15 April 2009. "Our Future, We Will Make" asked What shall we strive for? What makes us successful? ...as a country, as a community, as a family, as individuals. What does success mean? What Singapore would we be proud to build for Singaporeans who will come after us? What deeply matters to you? What are our possibilities? Watch more talks and see photos from this event here: www.ted.com/te...
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[@mellowxiumin]

this is so touching when Claire talks about her grandfather and other pioneers sailed across the South China Sea and reached the tip of Malayan Peninsula after 8 weeks, only guided by the stars and they named Singapore the isle of the star.. I can imagine the hardship they've been through on the sea, and their determination of no going back. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@biapol]

Very touching personal story by Claire about the amazing place that is Bukit Brown Cemetery. Must watch this, it's 15 minutes well-spend and Claire has a way of drawing you into her story.

[@wingkeongsiew2296]

I don’t think they should demolish Bukit Brown for housing. I think the government to convert this to be a heritage park and renovate those tombs with very unique features and clean up the rest of the tombs. It’s such a green place with so many beautiful trees

[@JohnSmith-rr6dj]

Claire, this is a brilliant presentation about your ancestry on Bukit Brown. You have a lot of confidence and knowledge just as when I met you on the plane travelling from Perth to Singapore. Well done on your book also! You have a strong sense of learning and curiosity about many things and of course your wealth of experience in journalism. I am so pleased to have met you Claire. Keep it up! Kishore Teelanah

[@hingginchu]

Historical cemetery as well preserved and exquisite as this is hard to come by even in China. This is living memory of Singapore in tangible form, sort of like a time capsule. Its lost would be irreplaceable. Save the city its greenery and heart. Let's hope Bukit Brown perseveres.

[@joshualim3727]

I am proud of you.You have driven home the point of the need to preserve the heritage of Bukit Brown. The generations down the ages ought to know the lives of the pioneers and how they struggled for a living. Your grandpa is one of them. He struggled hard to raise a family of 12 children - 6 boys and 6 girls of of whom is your 4th aunt whom I married. He died in 1953, before you were born. What about writing a book on the Leow's heritage for the posterity of the descendants?

[@singaporeano]

Thank you for all the work you do to save Bukit Brown.

[@sioklengchia6173]

Thank you, Claire. Great presentation. What a rich history we have! Such a shame we are losing it.

[@ThePhonoJack]

Excellent presentation, touching history. Thank you. Will visit next time I'm on fabulous Singapore.

[@atBukitBrown]

Following on this video, Claire wrote this commentary (on All Things Bukit Brown website): in which she writes, "Protecting the Memory of Our Pioneers; Laying Claim to Unclaimed Tombs... They came by sea and dreaded being lost at sea before arriving in safe harbour, relieved at the sight of the glittering lights bobbing on the ships anchored at the mouth of the Singapore River, giving the island the moniker, the Isle of Stars. We cannot now leave those unclaimed to that cruel fate they avoided."

[@BOSSCONTENT_pro]

Outstanding!

[@gerisoh]

Awesome presentation Claire.