What do you think the purpose of Chingay 2016 was?
This year, Chingay 2016's theme "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore" or in Chinese 《智慧灯海，璀璨新加坡》This activity is held once a year, it will try to convey different meaning every year. And this year should be a very important celebration be it as the depth in meaning of the theme or the celebration itself, as Chingay 2016 marks the first year of Singapore's next 50 years towards SG100 and that Singapore just celebrated its golden jubilee last year.
Legacy here refers to something that came from the past, so this must be something that our forefathers did and these contribute significantly in building up of Singapore to land us in this splendid, prosperous city or else it would not be brought up. Brighter Singapore also hinted to me that this is the goal that the organizer wanted to achieve. Thus, based on the theme, I think that the purpose of Chingay 2016 is trying to tell us to appreciate and to celebrate and commemorate the contribution, legacy and wisdom of our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and other founding fathers, as without them, Singapore would not flourish and we should also to put our hands together and move forward together to strive for one common goal which is to have a rosy picture painted for Singapore's future so as not to waste the efforts and contribution done by our founding fathers.
I can see racial harmony throughout almost the entire performance. This actually prove my purpose to be correct. As in order to move together as a country, the first thing we have to achieve is racial harmony. Racial harmony means to have neutral respect, love, care, accept and adapt each other as who they are. Not to look down upon each other for religious reasons as we are all equal, no one is so-called higher or lower than another. We should all work together for the common goal instead of focusing on how we are different. All of us know that Singapore is a cosmopolitan country, and that many races are living in it beside Chinese. There are Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Philippines, etc.
Without racial discrimination against one another, we are united as a whole Singapore and thus would lead Singapore to a greater height. "United we stand, divided we fall." And once we can ensure that Singapore is a peaceful country whereby everyone of us are able to live with each other harmoniously and there will be no occurrence of riots because of racial discrimination, Singapore can settle this issue and focusing on other issue such as how to boost country's economy,etc. If this problem cannot be tackled, there will be internal conflict even in the country itself that has not been solved, thus let alone focusing on other issues.
These are the evidence that back up my suggestion on purpose.
Chinese, Fujian voyage and traditional costume. It is also the monkey year, so there's the monkey
cosplay on the voyage.
Malay voyage and traditional costume
Indian voyage and traditional costume.
The picture shows a lot of performers dressed in different types of costumes, representing different nationalities (Malay, Chinese, Indian).
That is a mighty team, it looks very impressive
There are also the "lights of legacy", we should commemorate also what our forefathers did to make Singapore through for this fifty years. And the values that our forefathers advocate is found on the last voyage. "Can-do spirit, resilience, integrity, harmony, etc." We should live up to the values that our forefathers did, and applied these values right now, in our everyday life. At the same time, remember and commemorate the hard work put in by our forefathers to build up such a successful Singapore!
2) How has this change since the first Chingay and why do you think this change happened?
When the firecrackers was banned in 1973 after a fatal explosion and killed 2 people, firecrackers was then banned in Singapore. Thus, it dampened the festive spirit down. So in June 1972, Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, wanted to bring up the festive spirit, found a Chingay Procession in Penang organised by the Chinese Pugilistic Associations there. He then proposed to get the pugilistic associations in Singapore to mount a really massive procession and display for Chinese New Year. Prime minister, Me Lee Kuan Yew, probably feel dreaded of the people's deaths and thus banned the
firecrackers for the people's safety and instead uses Chingay to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Chingay is actually an annual street parade held in Singapore as part of the Lunar New Year
celebrations. The term “Chingay” is derived from the Chinese term zhuangyi, meaning “the art of masquerading". From research, I have found out that the First Formal Chingay Parade in Singapore was mooted by the Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who was also the chairman of the People's
Association (PA) and it was held in 4th February 1973 and it took place from Jalan Besar to Outram Park.
For its first street parade on 4 February 1973, the PA teamed up with the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation for a grand show in the Year of the Ox, depicting aspects of Chinese culture such as dragon and lion dances, martial arts and street opera. The parade, with its signature floats and colourful performers, became muti-cultural in 1977 when Malay and Indian groups joined the procession compared to rich of Chinese culture in the first Chingay. Chingay
took on a multicultural flavour from 1976. I think this change happened because back then, there are lot of riots frequently happening because of religious problem, and it injured and even killed many people. Thus, wanting to make Singapore country, so that we can progress together, from 1976 onwards, racial harmony is
also celebrated in Chingay. It has since grown into a major celebration, claiming to be the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. Thus, Chingay, with all its noise and gaiety, would compensate for the ban on firecrackers, a customary New Year practice to drive away evil spirits. Today, it is associated with an explosion of colours and most of all, joyous noise of cymbals, drums and voices, thousands of performers and volunteers, stunning fireworks and massive and elaborate floats that showcase the country's unique multicultural personality.
I think there are some differences between the past years Chingay and this year's Chingay
Firstly, based on my research on the past year Chingay's photo, I have discovered that the Chingay costumes is changing every year and there will be a different costume every year. In the first few years of Chingay, the costumes is quite plain and simple and gradually become more fancy for
example this year's costumes are brightly coloured and well designed. I also see one common thing in the costume which is no matter how plain, simple, brightly coloured, well designed the costume is, every costume brings out the vibrant local cultural heritage.
Secondly, technology is as the years goes by, there are lights shining on us while performing which makes us look more outstanding infront of the big number of audience compared to the first few Chingays. Not only that, the improve in technology also improve the condition of Chingay to make them more interesting. With more interesting performances it will interest people. And with more people interested, Chingay also can spread its idea of the event to more people.
Thirdly, the venue of the Chingays changed. In 1985, the Chingay parade marched down Orchard Road for the first time and then the parade had shifted out of Orchard Road to the Civic District entering at City Hall in the 2000. The parade then took place on part of the Formula One Marina
Bay Street Circuit route in 2010 and until today.
Today, Chingay has become a uniquely Singaporean Lunar New Year tradition, held during the first weekend of the Lunar New Year. This yearly street parade is now a national festival, celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike.
Indeed, for the scores of spectators, the Chingay Parade could well be a treasured glimpse into the different cultures of Singapore and the world. Here age, race, language and creed are no barriers. Here, we celebrate together as one.
3) Do you think the organizers have successfully fulfilled this purpose?
Yes, I think the organizers have successfully fulfilled this purpose. "Lights of legacy" is presented in many small details. First, the goody bags we received contain a small light bulb which can light up in different color when you switch on. And in the performance itself, almost all the voyages are decorated with multi-coloured lights. Not only that, there even projector at the back of the sea of seats casting different colour light as the troops marched past.
Performance.
The legacy, values shared by our forefathers were displayed on one big voyage towards the end, the values are: Because we are different, we are one, Can-do spirit, resilience, integrity, racial harmony and many more. I think these are the values that the forefathers want us to possess to build a better Singapore for the future generations.
Also, in this year's Chingay, with more advance in technology, there are high-altitude performance which is the first time in Chingay. Four performancers, dressed in long dresses rose up to the sky with and there are one sentence in the background music strike me the most " We can touch the sky as one Singapore!" This is actually trying to tell us that we should be united and workout a brighter Singapore.
In order to do have a brighter Singapore, racial harmony should be first advocated before we go on to improve Singapore as one people and we should also live by the values advocated by our founding forefathers, in hope for a better future.
Last but not least, I really am happy to attend this Chingay, as it helps me to gain a better aspect and understanding of Singapore and I also get to know that we are the ones who should work hard to create a better Singapore for future generation. In another words, the further Singapore lies in our hands. I am also appreciative of the contribution by our forefathers, without them, the Singapore will not be as it is now. I will do my part to be a responsible citizen and treat others equally, so as to create a better Singapore. I am really thankful that I got this opportunity to learn more about Singapore.
I would like to say:" I am proud of you, Singapore!"
Hence, Chingay 2016 is aptly themed, "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore" or in Chinese,《智慧灯海，璀璨新加坡》
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