By Melissa Sim

THE People's Association (PA) has tied up with embassies and foreign cultural groups here to give Singaporeans a glimpse into the intricacies of, for example, Mexican dance, how to make Russian pancakes, tie a Japanese kimono or speak Italian.

Such courses on aspects of foreign cultures, available at the PA's network of 105 community clubs, are run by people native to the country, no less.

The PA has so far tied up with eight embassies and organisations to come up with a menu of classes far wider than when it was relying on foreign trainers on an ad hoc basis.

It will continue to widen its list of partners, said Ms Jacinta Lim, who heads PA's Lifeskills and Lifestyle Division.

Those already on board include the Mexican and Japanese embassies, the Swiss Association, the Turkish Cultural Centre and the Italian Cultural Centre, all of which rope in their respective countrymen who have cultural knowledge or skills to share. Ms Lim said embassies and cultural organisations are the experts on their cultures, so they would deliver an 'authentic' experience.

The supply of trainers is also sustainable, she said, adding: 'We want to tap their expertise and networks, their members working or living here and also their visiting experts.'

The classes have had an unexpected benefit of throwing together members of the foreign communities with those who live here, Ms Lim said.

Ms Gaby Bonnet, president of the Swiss Association, agreed, saying teaching these classes has enabled the Swiss here to get to know Singaporeans and to show Swiss culture to them. For example, both trainer and students in a recent Swiss cuisine class had differing ideas about what carrot cake was - the traditional Swiss sweet version versus the local savoury one.

'It's good to be involved in such an exchange of cultures,' she said.

Working with the PA is also a way for the foreign community to give back, said Mrs Claudia Gonzalez, the wife of the Ambassador of Mexico here. 'I'm happy to serve as a friendly bridge between PA and the Mexican community in Singapore, which is eager to thank Singaporeans for their warm hospitality,' she said.

She is working with PA to organise a Mexican festival, which will include a cooking workshop and dance. Visitors to the festival can also score an invitation to dinner with the Mexican ambassador and his wife at their home.

The courses seem well attended.

The first one last weekend, called Viva! Global Colours and Flavours, which included a cooking class by the Italian Women's Group and traditional Italian music, pulled in about 65 people.

Miss Erina Lim, 23, an executive in a health-care company, said: 'I think it helps a lot to have a native teach you about his food and culture.'

Office assistant Angie Foo, 36, said she found it difficult to understand the trainer's Italian-accented English, but had fun all the same. She added: 'I prefer Asian food, so I've never eaten gnocchi (potato dumplings) before, but this opened my mind to new things.'

simlinoi@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The Straits Times.