Established in 1926, it initially served as a gathering place for Lam Ann people and gradually developed into a significant center for cultural preservation, economic cooperation, and community development.
Over the years, it has facilitated various initiatives such as the establishment and restoration of Fengshan Temple, cultural activities, fundraising for temple renovations, and promoting youth engagement through initiatives like the establishment of youth groups.
Through multifaceted efforts, the association continues to promote the spirit of Nan’an, strengthen bonds among its members, and contribute to the cultural and economic development of Singapore.
Singapore Lam Ann Association has now journeyed through a full century. Among local associations, only a handful can trace their history back one hundred years—and fewer still have endured through the decades with such vitality and distinction. The centennial marks a major milestone in the Association’s development. Through this once-in-a-century occasion, we seek to share our rich history and cultural heritage with the wider community, to celebrate the Lam Ann spirit of courage, perseverance, and generosity, and to carry forward the values of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness embodied in the Sacred Deity tradition.
The Singapore Lam Ann Association, one of the country’s oldest Minnan-based clan associations, was officially founded in 1926. Over the past century, it has played a vital role in supporting the community, contributing to nation-building, and preserving cultural heritage. Early Lam Ann pioneers, guided by courage and perseverance, helped establish settlements across Singapore and left lasting marks on local history.
Hong San See Temple, located in Singapore, was founded in 1836 (the 16th year of the Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty) by Lam Ann pioneers from Malacca, led by Liang Rengui. Its original site was at Hwa Li Shan in present-day Tanjong Pagar. In 1905, due to urban redevelopment, the temple trustees used compensation from the colonial government to purchase the current site on Mohamed Sultan Road (early colloquially known as “Shui Lang Tou”) and rebuilt the temple.
To ensure the Association’s long-term growth and fully realise its potential, past councils have repeatedly explored the feasibility of rebuilding the Association building. In 2023, a dedicated Reconstruction Committee was established to examine land use, funding strategies, and future development possibilities, aiming to lay a solid foundation of lasting value for the Association.
The World Lam Ann Youth Fellowship is an important platform connecting young Lam Ann descendants around the globe. Its mission is to strengthen ties, foster bonds, and promote collaboration among Lam Ann youth both locally and abroad, while supporting the preservation and development of Lam Ann culture. The Fellowship is typically held every two years.
The festival’s secretariat is permanently based in Quanzhou, and the event is held annually or biennially. In 2025, the Singapore Lam Ann Association successfully won the bid to host the festival in 2026, bringing the rich heritage of Minnan culture to Singapore and giving the local community the opportunity to experience its unique charm.
📆 Date：10 January 2026
It Takes Ten Years to Grow a Tree, a Hundred Years to Nurture a Person
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Singapore Lam Ann Association, the association will hold a tree-planting event themed “It Takes Ten Years to Grow a Tree, a Hundred Years to Nurture a Person” on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Hong San See Temple and locations arranged by the National Parks Board. Through this event, we will plant 100 trees across the island, combining ecological practice with cultural heritage, showcasing the Nan’an community’s deep roots in Singapore and our shared vision of nurturing the next century together.
📆 Date: 7 February 2026
A Hundred Blessings, Woven to Home
A Hundred Blessings, Woven to Home celebrates the idea of “a hundred people gathering blessings,” symbolising the return of good fortune to the home. One hundred unique scripts each write the character “福” (Blessing), coming together like a shimmering river of light, while the single character “家” (Home) gathers them all, transforming into a warm and welcoming sanctuary. Blessings represent the wishes we place on a home, and a home is where these wishes find their true resting place. More than a ceremonial display, this exhibition is a journey back to cultural roots, where blessings flourish through reunion and hearts find peace in belonging. A hundred blessings in heart, all returning home.
📆 Date: 14 March 2026
Keeping Pace with the Times
Keeping Pace with the Times is an AI imaging exhibition that invites one hundred families to create unique “future family portraits” using their ancestral hometowns as cultural DNA and the power of artificial intelligence. More than a blend of technology and art, the exhibition is a journey through time, preserving family memories while reimagining them for the digital age. By co-creating these AI portraits, families celebrate the continuity of their heritage and the enduring bonds that connect generations.
📆 Date: 12 April 2026 (Sunday)
Generations United in Care
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lam Ann Association, the Generations United in Care event brings together elderly participants from diverse cultural backgrounds to share a meal. The event aims to transcend cultural differences, conveying the traditional Chinese virtue of respecting and caring for elders through warmth and companionship, while fostering community harmony and inclusion. One meal, one gesture of care—this event not only expresses sincere attention to the elderly but also reflects the Association’s century-long commitment to Singapore, its dedication to social responsibility, and its efforts to uphold the spirit of “Respect the elders of your own family and extend that respect to the elders of others.” Through these heartfelt interactions, the centennial celebration is made meaningful and memorable.
📆 Date: 4 July 2026
Foundations of Heritage, Halls of the Future
In celebration of its centenary, the Lam Ann Association held a grand groundbreaking ceremony for its new building on 4 July. This momentous occasion bridges the past and the future, honouring the legacy of those who came before while looking forward to generations yet to come. The new building represents not only an expansion of space but also an extension of the Association’s spirit and a deepening of its cultural roots. It embodies the Lam Ann community’s enduring commitment to Singapore and their ancestral homeland. With each spade of earth, a new century begins; with this monument, generations stand united in purpose. May the building soon be completed, becoming a modern home for fostering friendship, preserving culture, and serving the community.
📆 Date: 1 August 2026
A Hundred Commemorative Treasures
To celebrate its centenary, the Lam Ann Association will showcase one hundred commemorative treasures exchanged with a hundred Lam Ann chambers of commerce and hometown associations worldwide. The exhibition brings together representative gifts from around the globe, each one a conversation, a handshake, or an expression of shared sentiment. These treasures are not only symbols of friendship but also embody the Lam Ann community’s spirit of enterprise across the world while remaining deeply connected to their ancestral homeland. Together, the one hundred gifts convey the centennial mission of the Association—strengthening hometown bonds, fostering trade relations, and preserving cultural heritage—while building a cultural bridge that connects tradition with the wider world for future generations.
📆 Date: 5 September 2026
Art Regeneration Project
To celebrate its centenary, the Lam Ann Association will demolish its old building, in use for nearly 56 years, and begin reconstruction. This renovation places special emphasis on cultural heritage and sustainability: structural elements such as beams, columns, and bricks from the old building will be carefully preserved and artistically transformed into ten public art installations. These works not only carry the half-century history of the Association but also reinterpret the Lam Ann community’s spirit of “honouring roots while embracing renewal” in innovative ways. Through this fusion of tradition and contemporary art, the legacy of the Association is given renewed life for generations to come.
📆 Date: 3 October 2026
Sacred Procession of the Deities
To celebrate the centenary of the Lam Ann Association and the 190th anniversary of Shui Lang Tou Hong San See Temple, the “Guangze Zunwang – Sacred Procession of the Deities” ceremony will be held on 3 October. During the event, the gilded statues of the Deities will be paraded through major Hong San See temples and historic century-old temples across Singapore, receiving worship and homage from devotees along the way. This procession not only continues the Minnan religious traditions, but also links cultural landmarks across the island, highlighting the Lam Ann community’s enduring faith and its role in social cohesion. The sacred procession honours the spirit of ancestors while strengthening cultural identity and bringing blessings of peace and harmony to the contemporary community.
The Singaporean Nan’an community is deeply rooted in its heritage and boasts a strong sense of togetherness. With special ties to the Minnan (Southern Hokkien) ethnic group, they actively engage in cultural, academic, and educational exchanges. Learn more about noteworthy predecessors from Nan’an.
After renovation, Shuilangtou Hong San See Temple has become a unique museum in Singapore that showcases Chinese culture and art, as well as an important historical monument that showcases Singapore’s precious national history and culture.
The main deity worshipped at Hong San See Temple is Guang Ze Zun Wang, also known by his mortal name, Guo Zhongfu.
