A famous hawker in Singapore. (File photo: AFP)

According to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally speech, hawker culture is “Uniquely Singapore” and reflects the daily lives of Singaporeans. On this basis, Singapore is nominating hawker culture for its second UNESCO inscription, namely the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Calling hawker centres Singapore’s “community dining rooms”, Lee said that Singaporeans of all races, religious faiths and income groups are able to eat together in hawker centres and enjoy beloved local fare.

Hawker centres are also a cure for homesickness, the prime minister said.

Among other cultural heritages on the UNESCO list are traditional Korean kimchi-making and Indonesian batik.

So, we ask, should bestowing UNESCO listing be reserved for more tangible things, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens? Or is our hawker culture a unique phenomenon that deserves its place on a global list?

Have your say in our poll and leave a comment below.

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