Party Time on Armenian Street

The Peranakan Museum, subject of numerous posts on this blog (check them out here), has closed for a revamp eleven years after it opened in April 2008.

But before it closed, it threw a party!  The Armenian Street party, held 15-16 March 2019, was an opportunity for all to visit the museum (for free) before it closed its doors for renovation on 1 Apr 2019.

The event was held on Armenian Street itself, just outside the museum.  The street itself has been recently pedestrianised and so was the perfect venue for a little night market, selling food (like laksa), snacks and knick-knacks, so there was a really nice buzz in the air.

The Groom's beautifully embroidered jacket

I have to say that it was a busy day and so I turned up a little late for the party.   I didn't know (or didn't read) that it would start off with a wedding procession!!! The Peranakan wedding procession is just one part of the very elaborate rituals that make up the traditional Peranakan wedding.  Of course, the wedding is a perfect opportunity to showcase the wealth of the two families which are being joined together.  So it is a lot of pagentry and bling-bling, great fun for all concerned!

Whilst I was a little late for the start of the event, I was certainly rather well positioned at the end of it to take photos of the wedding procession as they made their way back to the museum from the outdoor stage located just outside the museum.  Of course, this was definitely the photo opp moment for the event - as can be seen by the numerous photographers in action.

I was on the groom's side - would have preferred to get a close-up of the bride's outfit but at least it was an opportunity to admire the beautifully decorated jacket the groom was wearing, with the phoenix spread across the front, with flowers all around.  A much more inclusive photograph can be seen in this ST article and you can see the gorgeously dressed bride, with all her necklaces, kro-sang and elaborate headgear.  I am fortunately not to be seen in this photo.

Baba and Nonya Fashion Parade!

The procession was followed by a fashion show.  Not models, but Babas and Nonyas themselves wearing their traditional outfits.

My friends and I too had decided to dress up - at least, to wear our kebaya tops even if these were worn over pants instead of the sarong.  Sadly, we were in the minority.

We left soon after the fashion parade ended after doing a spot of shopping at the little night market.

Looking forward to the reopening of the Museum!  In the meantime, my older photos of the museum are here.

The Peranakan Museum in Party Mode