SINGAPORE – A recent discussion with a Dutch journalist made me realise how lucky Singapore is when it comes to the rollout of the SG Culture Pass scheme.

Receiving tax-payer dollars to spend on arts and heritage is indicative of the state valuing the “softer” and not always electable platform of culture, he said. It made for a more curious people and a first-principle open-mindedness that is especially rare at a time of nationalistic backlash and insularity in Europe.