TL;DR – Haw Par Villa has since issued a statement in response to the woman’s antics.
A woman has come under fire online for touching and stepping on the dioramas at Haw Par Villa, which was established in 1937.
In a series of videos documenting her visit to Haw Par Villa, TikTok user @anniexu403 was seen stepping on the dioramas, caressing the statues, and posing with them.
One of her videos has since garnered over 19,000 views.
https://www.tiktok.com/@anniexu403/video/7152437532293123329
Netizens triggered
Netizens who saw the video expressed their disappointment while there were some who were puzzled by her behaviour.
Some netizens have called her out for her disrespectful actions, noting that some of the dioramas have existed in the park for more than eight decades and were painstakingly restored over the years as part of maintaining the facade of the park.
There were also users who tagged Singapore Police Force in their comments, calling for the woman to be punished for damaging public property.
Haw Par Villa releases statement
On 10 October, Haw Par Villa released a statement in response to the woman’s antics.
In a Facebook post, the cultural park said that they are “disappointed” at the behaviour of TikTok user and that her actions are irresponsible as they not only endanger herself but will also damage the art works, adding that the works reflect Asian cultural values and ethical behaviour, “which sadly was not displayed by the visitor”.
“While we appreciate comments on the TikTok video asking for the visitor to respect the works of art, comments on the visitor’s nationality are inappropriate and unnecessary. As Singaporeans, we welcome all nationalities and communities to visit Haw Par Villa and we strive to create a common space for all to enjoy the beautiful works of art on display,” the management continued.
You may read Haw Par Villa’s full statement in full text below:
Official Statement by Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa reopened in July 2021 and has been receiving significant growth in its visitorship, particularly after the opening of Hell’s Museum in Oct 2021. By and large, our visitors have been very well-behaved and we do not have any major incidents to report, even when we have large-scale events such as music festivals.
Unfortunately, we have had a few incidents with visitors sitting on sculptures despite the numerous signs requesting that visitors do not do so. This is both to preserve the sculptural works of art, as well as for their own safety.
Our staff intervene regularly and firmly to prevent such negative behaviour and visitors normally comply without causing further problems.
The management of Haw Par Villa is disappointed at the behaviour of the visitor who goes by the TikTok username “anniexu403”. Her actions are irresponsible as they not only endanger herself but will also damage the art works. Furthermore, the works reflect Asian cultural values and ethical behaviour which sadly was not displayed by the visitor.
While we appreciate comments on the TikTok video asking for the visitor to respect the works of art, comments on the visitor’s nationality are inappropriate and unnecessary. As Singaporeans, we welcome all nationalities and communities to visit Haw Par Villa and we strive to create a common space for all to enjoy the beautiful works of art on display.