The annual Singapore Chinatown extravaganza kicked off last night (September 13) with the suburb once again donning specially designed lanterns and a myriad of decorative installations.
The Mid-Autumn Festival runs until October 12.
A total of 2300 lanterns will line the busy streets of the precinct, stretching from Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Rd down to South Bridge Rd. Bearing a strong SG50 theme this year, the Festival, which is named A Golden Jubilee Mid-Autumn will celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee with the nation.
For the first time, Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee (KA-KS CCC), the organising committee for the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival, will work closely with the students and faculty of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) for a creative interpretation of the street lanterns and decorations.
Dr Lily Neo, Grassroots Adviser said: “2015 is a very significant year for Singapore as the nation celebrates its Golden Jubilee. The Chinatown precinct has a rich heritage, and we hope that by injecting strong elements of local culture and icons of yesteryear, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival can be more meaningful for Singaporeans and tourists. We are also delighted to be able to create opportunities for the youths in Singapore to be more involved in our traditional festivals and gain a deeper understanding of our cultural heritage.”
Kenneth Lim, director, cultural precincts development with the Singapore Tourism Board, said the Mid-Autumn Festival, set in the historic precinct of Chinatown, is a key event to allow Singaporeans and visitors to deepen their understanding of the festival’s significance and witness how it is celebrated.
“The exciting line-up of events this year will not only be a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but also one that will allow visitors to engage and interact with locals through the different activities on offer, and allow them to better appreciate Singapore’s unique multicultural heritage.”
Festival highlights
To engage the young and old in the celebratory ambience of the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2015, KA-KS CCC has organised an array of exciting events and activities through to October 12.
A first this year, KA-KS CCC and the Chinatown Business Association will host the Chinatown 1960s Fancy Dress Contest “Mid-Autumn Festival 2015 – Back to the 60s”, a fancy dress contest featuring fashion styles of the 1960s, on September 26. Participants will showcase fashion statements of that era at the first ever pop-up runway along Pagoda Street. Visitors who come dressed in their 1960s attire will also stand a chance to bring home limited edition door gifts.
Shortlisted works from close to 180 children and students who pit their creative skills against each other at the annual Mid-Autumn Lantern Painting Competition will also adorn the streets of Chinatown. Winning lanterns from the competition will be displayed at Chinatown Food St along Smith St until September 27.
Experience the festival in its full glory and discover the charm of Chinatown via the complimentary Heritage Walking Trail, where our friendly tour guides will take participants around the precinct, sharing anecdotes and historical facts about the heritage of Singapore’s Chinese enclave. With a wide variety of stalls at this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival Festive Street Bazaar, visitors will have endless options as they shop for traditional snacks and knickknacks such as mooncakes, preserved food, decorative items to potted plants and clothing.
Lively and vibrant Chinese cultural performances, festive songs, and music and dance performances will be staged by local entertainers and troupes from China at the Nightly Stage Shows at Kreta Ayer Square during the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival period.
The annual Mass Lantern Walk on September 27 is expected to draw about 3000 people. The procession will take a leisurely stroll down Chinatown, while being entertained by local and overseas performing groups, as well as eye-catching mascots decked out in vibrant LED suits at 10 locations along the route.
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* Photo: Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens Consultative Committee.
