Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2016
Chinatown Chinese New Year Celebrations 2016 had been an even more rousing affair with a richer line-up of community outreach programmes to enrich the annual celebration of this important traditional festival, promote deeper appreciation of the Chinese heritage and to bring the community closer together. Adding to the series of meaningful community events held each year during the Chinese New Year period was the inaugural Harmony Night (新春和谐之夜), which brought together for the first time various Chinese clan associations, religious groups and Voluntary Welfare Organisaitons (VWOs) in the Chinatown precinct to put together a memorable Chinese New Year celebration for 500 residents of Jalan Besar GRC and Potong Pasir SMC. Locals and overseas visitors got to learn about the customs and traditions of the various Chinese dialect groups in Singapore in a special exhibition at the rejuvenated Chinatown Heritage Centre (牛车水原貌馆). Organised by the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee (KA-KS CCC), this year’s celebrations was themed “Year of Prosperity & Success, 桃满花香牛车水, 灵猴迎春贺新岁”. For three weeks from 16 January to 8 March 2016, the festive mood in Chinatown will come alive, starting with the Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony (牛车水农历新年庆祝活动开幕典礼与亮灯仪式) on 16 January 2016 which was graced by His Excellency, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam as Guest of Honour. The Chinese precinct was lit up in spectacular fashion as 2,668 handcrafted lanterns – the most number of customised lanterns ever made for the Street Light-Up – in the shape of monkeys, peaches, spring blossoms and gold zodiac coins decorate the streets (Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road). To promote partnership, community engagement and bonding in the Chinatown community, KA-KS-CCC had organised the first Harmony Night (新春和谐之夜) on 30 January 2016 that brought together for the first time eight Chinese clan associations, religious groups and VWOs to put together a memorable Chinese New Year celebration for 500 residents of Jalan Besar GRC and Potong Pasir SMC. Participating groups will each showcase special performances in a celebration of the different cultures, religions and dialect groups in Singapore. On 31 January 2016, about 1,000 residents from underprivileged families and needy elderly who are residing within the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Constituency had celebrated Chinese New Year at the Mass Reunion Dinner (千人团圆宴), an annual community initiative organised by KA-KS CCC. From 16 January to 8 March 2016, local and foreign visitors to Chinatown were mesmerised by the magnificent parade of handcrafted lanterns that will transform the precinct into a heavenly garden filled with playful monkeys and peach trees that convey joy, longevity and prosperity. This year’s decorations, designed in partnership with final-year students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), featured a total of 2,668 handcrafted lanterns in the shape of monkeys, peaches, spring blossoms and gold zodiac coins – the most number of customised lanterns to be produced for the Street Light-Up. This is the fifth year that KA-KS CCC is partnering SUTD for the annual event. This year’s dazzling display also features 28 mechanical monkey lanterns that will literally “bring to life” the street decorations. At the Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony (牛车水农历新年庆祝活动开幕典礼与亮灯仪式)on 16 January 2016, visitors to Chinatown were awed by talented performers from leading local and foreign troupes in a retelling of the famed Chinese folktale, “Journey to the West.” Daring displays of acrobatics will be accompanied by entertaining musical performances and LED light displays. In the lead-up to the Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party (牛车水农历新年除夕夜派对) on 7 February 2016, visitors also revel in the celebratory events such as the 9th International Lion Dance Competition Ceremony (第九届牛车水新春国际狮王争霸赛) that saw 14 top lion dance troupes from across eight countries pit their skills against each other on the meihuazhuang in an exciting and intense showcase of dexterity and agility to clinch the ultimate title of ‘King of the Lions’! With participation from troupes hailing from as far as China, this year’s competition that took place on two days, 23 and 24 January 2016, at a new venue, Hong Lim Park. Other event highlights include the Festive Street Bazaar (年货市场) with 440 stalls selling a wide range of traditional and modern festive goodies, Nightly Stage Shows (综艺晚会) with cultural musical and entertainment performances, and the Chinatown Chinese New Year Walking Trail (牛车水农历新年文化之旅), a free walking tour open to Singaporeans and overseas visitors that will take participants through the Chinese enclave to learn more about the history and customs during Chinese New Year.
