Chinese New Year was a muted affair this year, with the authorities imposing measures to prevent crowds from forming in public.
This is why the Chinatown street light-up that residents look forward to every year was done away with, and access to certain areas in Chinatown was restricted.
If you were comparing our current case numbers to the ones back in February, you’d probably think the authorities would cordon off the whole of Chinatown for any present celebration.
After all, 216 locally transmitted cases were recorded yesterday, the highest since this detested virus emerged.
Fortunately, 80% of our population are vaccinated, meaning such restrictions won’t be imposed on us, even during popular festivals.
This Year’s Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Light-up will Feature A Reunion Theme
From 7 Sep, around 880m of Chinatown’s streets will be illuminated with 900 lanterns.
This is in celebration of the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival, which marks the end of the autumn harvest.
Some sections of the light up, such as along the stretch of road between Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road, will be decorated with lanterns shaped as mooncakes and jade rabbits.
Others, like the ones at South Bridge Road, will have lanterns in the shape of snow skin mooncakes.
The lights are expected to be up until 5 Oct.
This year, the light-up will be based on a very special theme – reunion.
The theme of reunion was chosen in recognition of how Singaporeans have stood together in the face of COVID-19 and all the challenges it has brought.
The centre divider separating Eu Tong Sen Street and North Bridge Road will display the scene of a family reunion.
The scene represents three values – harmony, happiness, and honouring the wise.
Virtual Experience
If you are hesitant to head out and visit crowded streets, you can still experience the majestic light-up from the comfort of your home.
The light-up will be streamed on Chinatown Festivals’ Facebook page on 7 Sep, from 8pm to 8.50pm.
There’s also a 360 virtual heritage tour that is already running on Chinatown Festivals and will end in October.
In promoting the light-up, the site also reminded those who intend to see the light-up to adhere to the current COVID-19 rules in place. This includes:
- masking up
- sticking to gatherings of no more than 5 people
- maintaining a safe distancing of at least one metre from other groups
Virtual Mooncake Making Workshop
And that’s not the only thing you’ll be able to do from your own room.
Chinatown Festivals has also organised a virtual mooncake making workshop which begins tomorrow (5 Sep).
It’s free, but you should make sure that you have all the necessary equipment and ingredients.
Head here to register now!
Learn the origins of mooncakes in this video:
@goodyfeedThe origin of mooncakes can be adapted into a movie ##singapore ##sgtiktok ##tiktoksg ##foryourpage ##fyp♬ original sound – Goody Feed
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Featured Image: Facebook (Chinatown Festivals)