Singapore’s Ivan Heng and Pooja Nansi conferred knighthood for promoting French arts and culture


Heng, a veteran thespian, was commended by the Embassy of France for playing a “key role” in promoting French theatre in Singapore. Notable productions include La Cafe aux Folles (2017) and Tartuffe (2022).

In a career spanning over three decades, he has staged numerous productions in Singapore and has even brought some of them – including the plays Hotel and Emily Of Emerald Hill – overseas.

In March, Heng was named as a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – widely regarded as one of the best performing arts schools in the world. And back in 2013, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion which is Singapore’s highest cultural honour.

Nansi was the former director of the Singapore Writers Festival. During her four-year tenure, she was “instrumental” in the success of the Focus France segment, which featured around 20 French and Francophone authors from 2019 to 2022, said the Embassy of France.

“Her dedication to French literature has significantly strengthened cultural ties between Singapore and France.” 

Nansi received the Young Artist Award in 2016. The award is Singapore’s highest award for young arts practitioners under the age of 35, presented by the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth and administered by the National Arts Council. 



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