When commentators observe that Singapore "punches above its weight", it is more often in the context of economic or educational achievements. But this little red dot has been flexing some soft power muscles recently. Last week, conductor Wong Kah Chun, 33, became the youngest Singaporean, and the first Singaporean artist, to receive the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the highest tribute given for services to the nation. He has been the chief conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra since 2018 and won the 2016 Gustav Mahler International Conducting competition in Bamberg. He also brought orchestra members here to perform with the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra.

While professional diplomats are often given credit for building bridges, artists like Wong play a crucial role in promoting cultural connections from the ground up. He is not the only artist to have been recognised by a foreign country. The French have been generous with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres - the knighthood of arts and letters - which has been bestowed on the late playwright Kuo Pao Kun as well as actor/comedian Hossan Leong. Singaporean curators are also making waves. Dramaturg Tang Fu Kuen is the first foreigner to helm the Taipei Arts Festival. Singaporean Low Kee Hong is head of theatre, performing arts at Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and Tan Boon Hui is director of Asia Society Museum in New York. Artist Ho Tzu Nyen co-curated the Asian Art Biennial in Taichung, Taiwan.