Chingay 2016 – Singapore’s largest street performance is back!
February 15, 2016
Chingay, the largest street performance and float parade in Asia is back to wow Singapore on 19 & 20 February 2016 at F1 Pit Building this year! With vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu masters, performers of different races in their traditional costumes and many, many more… This yearly street parade has truly become a uniquely Singaporean tradition that we look forward to every Lunar New Year.
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What is Chingay?
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Whether you have joined Chingay as a spectator, watch it from home with your family, or even joined as a performer, Chingay is definitely no stranger to Singaporeans. However, how much do we know about Chingay? Have you ever wondered what does the word Chingay actually means?
Chingay is actually equivalent to the Mandarin word ‘Zhuang Yi’ (妆艺), which means “the art of costume and masquerade” in the Hokkien dialect. You might also be surprise to know that Chingay was first mooted by the then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who was also the chairman of the People’s Association (PA) to compensate for the ban on firecrackers, a customary New Year practice to drive away evil spirits with its noise and gaiety.
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Theme: “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore” 智 慧 灯 海, 璀 璨 新 加 坡
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The official theme for Chingay Parade 2016 is “Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore” As the theme suggests, Chingay 2016 will be the brightest ever with the biggest full-scale illuminated show. The 44th Chingay parade marks the ‘beginning of our new chapter to SG100’. The theme is also inspired by the legacy of our Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and the values embodied by our Pioneers such as Racial Harmony and Social Cohesion, Caring Community, Resilience as a Nation, Can-Do Singapore Spirit and Uphold high moral values. This is a people’s parade where we come together to celebrate! There are a total of 8,000 performers from 150 organisations. It represents our first step towards SG100 after our milestone SG50 celebrations.
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Because we are different, we are one
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During the segment called “Because We Are Different, We Are One”, we got to see for the first time in Chingay’s history, an item presented by the lnter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and their collaboration with 30 religious groups. We will also see various Special Effects Dragons including the “Lighted LED Flying Dragon” and Multi-cultural performances – Chinese, Malay and Indian Cultural performances.
From performers to spectators, Chingay celebrates as one where age, race, language and creed are no barriers. To keep it an inclusive event, PA will be inviting 5,500 beneficiaries from Voluntary Welfare Organisations and their caregivers to the Parade.
Every year, I look forward to Chingay as there is always something new – from the costumes, performances to the theme. This year, the audience can look forward to the 8,000 ‘Sky Lanterns’ which will be used as performance props to light up the evening. Each spectator will also be given hand-held light bulb.
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United & Vibrant Community
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Chingay Parade could well be a treasured glimpse into the different cultures of Singapore and it is the people like you and me that play a part in building a cohesive and harmonious society that we live in today. Through the segment “United and Vibrant Community”, we are able to see performances put up by communities from diverse background, showcasing the vibrancy of our community through various performing arts and dance genres.
My aunt will be participating in Chingay as part of the Women’s Executive Committees’ (WEC) performance. She has been doing this since the beginning of time and every year without fail, she will take part in Chingay and NDP with her fellow WEC mates. She especially loves all the dazzling costumes!
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Miss out on Chingay 2016? You can catch Chingay @ Heartlands and Chingay Night Fiesta which is happening on 21 Feb (Sunday) 6.30pm at Bishan-AMK Park. The month-long celebration will consist of the Main Parade at the F1 Pit Building and Heartlands Celebrations from February to March 2016. For more information on Chingay Parade 2016, please visit www.chingay.org.sg or visit PAFrenz Facebook and @PAFrenz Instagram for the latest updates.
