SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023

SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023 is taking place on the weekend of 23rd and 24th September 2023 from 10am to 6:30pm. There are many exciting programmes and activities line-up for you and family to visit, soak in and enjoy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 at Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2023!

General Manager of SYSNMH Winston Lim said: “For our well-loved lantern installations, we tap on relatable themes such as this year’s larger-than-life pandas, to appeal to a wide audience and encourage more people to join in our cultural festivities. Through our ongoing special exhibition Connections Across Oceans: Early Chinese Mutual Aid Organisations, we have been working very closely with various clan associations, and are excited to continue to bring onboard more cultural partners to enrich our celebrations. Together, we hope to enliven our offerings for more visitors to learn about Chinese culture.”

An iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn Paw-trait 

You can’t miss them when you visit SYSNMH! They are an iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn Paw-trait! This year’s special installation is titled, “A Mid-Autumn Paw-trait”, featuring two big and adorable giant panda lanterns. Just like a typical giant panda, one is sitting down in a relaxed position, while the other is in a stretching stance at SYSNMH lawn from 29th August to 1st October 2023, 10am to 9pm daily.

This is a collaboration made “paw-sible” through a collaboration with toymaker 52TOYS Panda Roll series and World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore (WWF-Singapore). The Mid-Autumn Paw-trait is SYSNM 9th outdoor installation, they convey SYSNMH wish for every Singaporean to enjoy a “panda-stic” Mid-Autumn reunion. 

More importantly, this iconic pair of cute Panda Mid-Autumn lanterns serve as an acknowledgement of past and ongoing wildlife conservation efforts, and also celebrating the reclassification of giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable statues by the IUCN Red List.

Workshops

There is a host of exciting and fun workshops for you and your family to join. Check out the listings below!

Parent-Child Recycled Panda Lantern Making Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 12pm
• Admission: $24 per parent-child pair

Melodies in Motion: Hokkien Songs & Rhymes Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 1pm to 2:30pm
• Admission: $10 per pax.

Tales in Melodies: Teochew Songs & Rhymes Workshop

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 3:30pm to 5pm
• Admission: $10 per pax

Parent-Child Hakka Abacus Seeds Making Workshop

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 3:30pm to 5pm
• Admission: $38 per parent-child pair

Escape Game Activity

• Lost in Time: The Case of the Missing Researcher
• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 11:30am to 1pm, 1pm to 2:30pm (Sunday only), 2:30pm to 4pm, 4pm to 5:30pm
• Admission: $8 per pax, group of 4-5 recommended

Check out my story that I published earlier on my Escape Game adventure at SYSNMH! 

Free Activities

Public Talk – Singapore’s Secret Societies in the 19th century and its Evolution

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 11:30am
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis)

Storytelling sessions: Tales of Mid-Autumn Festival 

• Date: 23rd September 2023 (Mandarin), 24th September 2023 (English)
• Time: 11:30am to 12:30pm, 2pm – 3pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Craft Station: Mid-Autumn Festival Inspired Crafts

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Craft Station: Chinese Calligraphy Try-Out

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Drop-in Activity Station: Language Game Fun

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Mid-Autumn Family Fun Contest

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 3pm to 4pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Dialect Culture Performances I

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 5pm to 6pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Dialect Culture Performances II

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 6pm to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Lantern Riddles Guessing

• Date: 24th September 2023
• Time: 5pm to 6pm
• Admission: Free

Mooncake, Pomelo & Tea Tasting

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free (limited quantities available)

Teochew Mooncake Sampling 

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free (limited quantities available)

52TOYS Blind Box Sale Booth

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore Booth

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free

Children Activity Booklets Giveaway

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 9pm

Guided Tours & Trails

Teochew Cultural Trail

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 1pm
• Admission: $20 per pax.

Balestier Heritage Food Trail

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 11:30am (English), 11:30am to 12:30pm (Mandarin)
• Admission: $12 per pax

Special Exhibition Guided Tour

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 10:30am to 11:30am (Mandarin), 1:30pm to 2:30pm (English)
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available)

Permanent Galleries Guided Tour

• Date: 23rd September 2023
• Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm (Mandarin), 3pm to 4pm (English)
• Admission: Free (limited spaces available)

<For the above ticketed activities, you can purchase tickets via www.wanqingyuan.peatix.com>

SYSNMH Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023

Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH)

• Date: 23rd & 24th September 2023
• Time: 10am to 6:30pm
• Admission: Free admission with ticketed activities 

Follow SYSNMH on social media

• Website: https://www.sysnmh.org.sg 
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sysnmh/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sysnmh/ 

Wishing all a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023! 祝大家中秋节快乐！

Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 is coming soon on 29th September 2023. Let me wish everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 in advance! Hope you all have a panda-stic” Mid-Autumn festival and reunion with your family and loved ones!

祝大家中秋节快乐！

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production * 

The post Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival Open House 2023 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The story behind Katong Dreaming

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour is created by August Lum, Marc Nair, Nicodemus Tan, and Valerie Lim. Produced by Jamie Lee for Betel Box Tours, and supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and National Arts Council (NAC) Performing Arts Pilot Grant. Both STB and NAC seek to encourage the development and trial of innovative performing arts tours by tour operators. 

Let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

Most locals and international visitors that know/heard of Katong, they would remember Katong and Joo Chiat districts for its colourful houses, sleepy streets, and of course, our favourite Singapore topic – food. However, it’s more than just that, how much do you know about the rich Peranakan history, culture and traditions that built up Katong and Joo Chiat districts?

When you embark on this 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure – Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, not only will you hear the stories of Katong and Joo Chiat districts as you walk through those two districts, admiring the architecture, colours and design of those old houses, you will also get to hear original songs, poems, and this movement set to an original score. 

Without further ado, follow me below and let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang. When you sign up for Katong Dream: A Musical Tour, the start point is at Kim Choo Kueh Chang at 111 East Coast Road. If this is your first time visiting Kim Choo Kueh Chang, I strongly encourage you to check them out. 

Once you finished your registration, collect your headset, listen to the administrative instructions, you are more than ready to embark on your unique 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure. 

This is where you start your Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, it begins with Bak Chang. Somehow, you might be very relaxed, happily chatting with people or dreaming about Katong, that you won’t know the musical tour has started! 

Do you know what is a Bak Chang, its history and origin? Listen to this “Bak Chang Beginnings”, written by Marc Nair, when you join the musical tour.   

Next up, It also begins with the Sea

After knowing your Bak Chang, it’s time to move out and explore Katong and Joo Chiat. Next up, it also begins with the Sea. Just a short walk away from Kim Choo Kueh Chang, walking through traffic light cross junction, experiencing your first back lane experiences, you would reach this road lined up with a very unique architecture and design, they are elevated terrace houses. 

The elevated terrace houses are what remain of how close Katong was to the sea. This might be your first time watching an outdoor performing arts tour. With your headphones on, listen and enjoy this outdoors arts performance play, “It Begins with the Sea”, written by Mark Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Do you remember cinematic Roxy Baby?

The older locals in Katong and Joo Chiat would remember the Roxy Cinema that once stood where Roxy Square is. An iconic and popular location with Katong and Joo Chiat residents, its history and heritage is not forgotten, written down in “Roxy Baby” by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

Looking through Pintu Pagar

The iconic row of colourful heritage Peranakan terrace houses at Joo Chiat, along Koon Seng Road, have been popular with both international visitors and locals alike.   

The design and architecture of the have a feature known as “Pintu Pagar”, a half-height outer door that acts as a “fence” for the main front door when it is left open during the day, providing both privacy and security while providing ventilation.

When you watch the musical play segment unfolds in front of you at the Peranakan terrace houses, there would be curiosity building up inside you when looking through Pintu Pagar, what goes behind those Peranakan terrace houses?  

“Pintu Pagar”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lim.  

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories

The back lanes of Katong and Joo Chiat districts are not exactly on most peoples’s mind and thoughts to visit. The back lanes may not be the most glamorous, yet they tell you many different stories, culture and living, as well as history and heritage. 

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories for yourself, it’s more than just street photography or architecture photography. 

“The Back Lane”, written by Marc Nair

We love our Coffeeshop Talk

We love our coffee, both Arabica and Robusta coffee. We love our Coffeeshop Talk, whether at a kopitiam drinking local Nanyang kopi, or at a cafe, enjoying our coffee time. Some kopitiam are more than just eating and drinking places, they are a cultural hub of people, gatherings and exchanging stories.  

“Coffeeshop Talk”, written by Marc Nair.

Do check out this video of Sin Hin, traditional coffee shop: https://vimeo.com/674832451 

What is Under the Banyan Tree?

The Banyan Tree, to most people, is probably just another tree species from the diverse flora and fauna on Earth. Not many people I reckon would know about Banyan Tree and its connections to the spiritual side of things.

What is under the Banyan Tree at the Joo Chiat Place Parking Lot? They are home to a few deity worship, place inside nicely built wooden box houses, visited and maintained nicely by believers around the district.

What is Under the Banyan Tree could be a mystery to some, it could also be a place of worship, only if you choose to see, know and learn about them, for both locals and international visitors alike.    

“Under the Banyan Tree”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lum. 

Time for a Kopi O

As we are nearing the end of the Katong Dreaming Music Play journey, is it time for a Kopi O? You have now reached your end point: Betel Box Hostel. As you sit down, rest and relax from your earlier musical tour walk in Katong / Joo Chiat district, would you like to have a cup of Kopi-O to relax, unwind and chill?

“Kopi O”, written by Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Grand Finale is Here There 

The grand finale to wrap up your musical play journey, “Here There” is a twin cinema poem first developed by Singaporean poet Yeow Kai Chai in 2010. It’s generally read in three ways, vertically down each column, horizontally across the entire length of the poem. Read in all three ways, watch and listen to the Grand Finale musical performance. 

“Here There”, written by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

A Huge Round of Applause for Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

As the Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour drew to a close at Betel Box, the performers and organisers received a huge round of applause from all of us that walked, immersed, listened, watched and become a part of this musical play walking journey. 

We stayed back for a short while, chatting and congratulating the performers and organisers behind this musical tour. It’s not your usual musical play whereby you can mingle with the performers and organisers/crew straight after a musical play performance. 

Katong Dreaming is Not your typical musical play

For me a visual storyteller that has been documenting and covering history, heritage, culture and arts, somehow I am not that into musical plays or theatre performances. When I embarked on Katong Dreaming musical tour, I was brought into another world, that is not utopian, like a Time Machine ride from the past when our forefathers first stepped foot into Singapore, into the modern Singapore cosmopolitan city of today.

Katong Dreaming brings you on a rich history, heritage, cultural and travelling tour of Katong district in Singapore through an immersive and powerful musical play through a walk around the Katong district. Through this musical play, you can have a deeper and wider understanding about Peranakan history, heritage and culture.

A Uniquely Singapore travel experience for both locals and international visitors alike. I would like to encourage you to book this unique, enriching and immersive Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour in Singapore.

I could have shot some videos as snippets of this amazing, mesmerising and immersive Katong Dreaming Musical Tour. However, I decided that I would like you to fully experience them yourself when you sign up for this musical tour. 

I would like to invite you, whether you are a local or an international visitor, to join this uniquely created and produced in Singapore musical tour, and be a part of Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour!

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

If you like to know more about Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour, please visit https://katongdreaming.peatix.com/, you can book your tickets from there too!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katongdreaming/ 

Hashtag:#katongdreaming 

The post Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

For the very first time for IHC, visitors will be able to enjoy the annual Little India Deepavali street light-up and decorations on the Deepavali Big Bus Tour, that will run over the Open House weekends. This is going to be a great and fun experience to be up close and personal with the bright and colourful Deepavali lights with its customised open-top sightseeing bus tour providing the perfect introduction to Little India precinct during this festive period. You would get excellent photography opportunities from the top deck of the big bus tour!

At IHC, you can participate in the festive Deepavali season by adding more colour to the precinct through contributing a LEGO mural inspired by Rangoli designs. The mural is designed in collaboration with LEGO artist Jeffrey Kong. Visitors will help to complete the mural by filling in its white outline with coloured LEGO bricks.

A crowd favourite os brought back, a miniature replica of the Little India Deepavali street light-up arch along Campbell Lane invites the public to join the festivities at IHC. The decorated arch extends from the institution’s entrance to its stairwell, serving as the perfect backdrop to take a Deepavali OOTD! Visitors can also upload photos of themselves enjoying the light installations on social media and hashtag #IHCDeepavali to redeem limited-edition money packets.

There are many more exciting and fun Deepavali-themed programmes that include craft workshops, cooking-demos, heritage trails, and evening trishaw rides. Admission to IHC is free for all, registration is required for certain programmes at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com 

Little India Trishaw Trails

Date: 30th September, 7th, 14th & 21st October 2022

Time: 6-8pm

Prices: $10

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com 

Deepavali Big Bus Tour

Dates: 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd October 2022

Time: 6-8pm

Prices: $10 

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com 

Deepavali in Animal Land

Date: 22nd October 2022

Time: 1130am, 2pm and 330pm

Prices: $10

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com

Guided tour of Little India Heritage Trail

Dates: 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd October 2022

Time: 1030am-12pm

Prices: $10 

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com 

Drop-In Activities

Dates: 1st to 23rd October 2022

Venue: IHC Lobby

Community LEGO Mural

Dates: 1st to 23rd October 2022

Venue: IHC

Clay Oil Lamp Mandala Painting Workshop

Dates: 15th & 16th October 2022

Time: 2-330pm & 4-530pm

Prices: $10

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com

Festive Deepavali Dishes

Dates: 16th & 23rd October 2022

Prices: $10

Register at https://ihc-programmes.peatix.com 

For more information on IHC Deepavali Open House, please visit IHC website or IHC’s FB Page. 

Wishing all Iniya Deepavali Nal Vazhthukkal (Happy Deepavali!)

The post Welcome the Festival of Lights at IHC Deepavali Open House 2022! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Lawn Installation: Celestial Bodies (星球宝宝）

You can’t miss the bright, colourful, cute and adorable outdoor artwork installations located on the lawn of SYSNMH! They are also known as Celestial Bodies (星球宝宝), produced by Taiwan’s Kai 3D Art Studio and in collaboration with SYSNMH. 

The spherical lanterns feature five of the artist’s characters: Moon, Earth, Sun, Saturn, and Mercury. Celestial Bodies artwork installation pays tribute to the moon which is at its brightest and roundest on 15th day of the 8th lunar month (农历八月十五) during the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

The Moon is surrounded by other planets, symbolising joyous union of family and friends. The Celestial Bodies represents the collective wish of Singaporeans to be able to get together and reunite with their family and loved ones, whether locally or overseas during this period when COVID-19 safety management measures are eased, and we can travel again.

Bring your children down and check out the lawn installation: Celestial Bodies (星球宝宝), they are going to have a fun time with the artwork installations! 

3rd & 4th September 2022 – Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 

Mark these dates down on your calendar! 3rd & 4th September 2022 – Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022. There are many exciting programmes taking place, we are all looking forward to this fun, cultural and heritage Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival weekend at SYSNMH.

An extensive list of fun, interactive and enriching workshops and activities (both free and ticketed events) awaits your family and friends to come down, to enjoy and have fun celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese arts, culture and heritage!

Workshops

Chinese Opera Workshop for Children

(Supported by Nam Hwa Opera 南华潮剧社)

Date: 4 Sep 2022

Time: 1.30pm – 3pm, 3.30pm – 5pm

Admission: $20 per pax

Recommended for children aged 6 and above. Children aged 5 years old and below will not be permitted. This is a children-only workshop.

Traditional Woodblock Printing Workshop

Date: 3 Sep 2022

Time: 10.30am – 12pm

Admission: $15 per pax

Recommended for participants 12 years old and above. Children aged 11 years old and below will not be permitted.

“Meet My Unusual Family” Interactive Storytelling & Workshop (不怪的“怪”兽)

(Presented by The Theatre Practice 实践剧场)

Date: 3 Sep 2022

Time: 1.30pm – 3pm & 4.30pm – 6pm

Admission: $20 per pax

Recommended for children aged 4 to 8 years old. This storytelling and workshop session is conducted in Mandarin.

You can purchase your tickets via https://wanqingyuan.peatix.com

Trails & Guided Tours

Touring Temples: Legends and Artforms of Door Gods

Date: 3 & 4 Sep 2022

Time: 10am – 1pm

Admission: $20.00 per pax

Tour will be conducted in English.

Balestier Heritage Food Trail

Date: 3 Sep 2022

Time: 10.30am – 11.30am (English); 11.30am – 12.30pm (Chinese)

Admission: $12.00 per pax

Permanent Galleries Guided Tour

Date: 3 & 4 Sep 2022

Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm (Chinese), 3pm – 4pm (English)

Admission: Free; limited spaces available

You can purchase your tickets via https://wanqingyuan.peatix.com

Free Events

Public Talk – The Qixi Festival: A Forgotten Love Story (只羡鸳鸯不羡仙——本地从前的七姐诞)

Date: 4 Sep 2022

Time: 10am – 11.30am

Admission: Free; limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis

The talk will be conducted in Mandarin.

Live on the Lawn: Lantern Riddles Guessing

(Supported by Riddle Association (Singapore))

Date: 3 Sep 2022

Time: 5pm – 6pm

Admission: Free

Live on the Lawn: Performances by The Joyful Voices and Mr Bottle Magic Show

Date: 4 Sep 2022

Time: 6pm – 7pm

Admission: Free

Drop-in Craft Station: Mid-Autumn Inspired Crafts

Date: 3 & 4 Sep 2022

Time: 11am–6pm

Admission: Free

Storytelling Session: Tales of Mid-Autumn Festival

(Supported by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin Campaign)

Date: 3 Sep 2022 (Chinese), 4 Sep 2022 (English)

Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 3pm

Admission: Free; limited spaces available, on a first-come, first-served basis

Special Exhibition – Nian Hua: Of Deities, Guardians and Auspicious Art

When you are visiting SYSNMH, do visit and check out this special exhibition – Nian Hua: Of Deities Guardians and Auspicious Art. This is a collaboration between SYSNMH and the Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing, China, showcasing Lunar New Year prints, known as nian hua from different parts of China.

Nian hua are woodblock prints that have been used to decorate Chinese homes for the Lunar New Year for centuries. They also provide insights into the altitudes and values of the Chinese community. This special exhibition examines a lesser-known aspect of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, also an international collaboration between SYSNMH and the Three Gorges Museum.

An annual special exhibition by SYSNMH, also a highlight event too. 

Information on Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022

Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Dates: 16th August to 25th September 2022

Lawn Installation Opening Hours

Dates: 16th August to 25th September 2022 

Time: 10am to 9pm daily

Dates with Extended Gallery Hours (Saturday & Sunday)

• 20th & 21st August 2022
• 27th & 28th August 2022
• 3rd & 4th September 2022 (Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022)
• 10th & 11th September 2022

Time: 10am to 9pm

For more information, please visit Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall website www.sysnmh.org.sg and Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/sysnmh)

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R7 Explorer Series Production * 

The post Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

At NHB inaugural Craft X Design showcase held at the National Museum of Singapore, visitors can get up close and personal with four prototypes of contemporary and creative amalgamation of tradition, heritage and culture, combined with modern contemporary living and design through the world, eyes, craft and skillsets of the cultural and heritage practitioners and contemporary modern designers coming together in a unique and eye opening experience.

Craft X Design was introduced by NHB, part of their efforts under Our SG Heritage Plan to cultivate stronger public awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. This helps to create platforms to showcase Singapore’s rich and diverse trades and crafts. 

Mr Yeo Kirk Siang, Director, Heritage Research & Assessment, NHB, said, “By actively nurturing partnerships between crafts persons and local designers to produce contemporary products using traditional craft techniques or materials, we aim to revitalise local traditional crafts, by opening up new markets and new customer bases, and thus ensuring their long-term sustainability and commercial viability. The result of the pilot edition of Craft X Design conveys the important message that traditional crafts continue to have a place and relevance in our society today through innovation.” 

Traditional Chinese Lanterns | Harmony Spheres 

Practitioner: Jimm Wong

Designers: Melvin Ong, Xu Xiao (NextOfKin Creatives)

Traditional Chinese lanterns have a long tradition and history dating back to the Han Dynasty (206BC to 220AD). In Singapore, they are traditionally hung in places of worship and clan associations, and during festivities or special occasions such as deities’ birthdays, weddings and Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Traditional Chinese lanterns are made of bamboo frames, the bamboo splints are cut to the required length and thickness, followed by soaking in water before being heated over a fire and the bamboo strips can be Ben for the lantern frame. This would followed by gluing the oil-coated silk paper onto the lantern frame, before they can be painted with traditional characters, motifs and/or family surnames. 

In a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Chinese lantern by NextOfKin Creatives, they designed it to be an elegant dining lamp, titled “Harmony Spheres”. This symbolises a nice and good mix of tradition and contemporary, by preserving the lighting function and the bamboo strips of a traditional Chinese lantern, while adding a contemporary spin through its unique multi-spherical structure.

This Harmony Spheres lamp is further inspired by the Chinese ivory puzzle ball, they have intricately carved layers that can rotate individually. With its open-ended spheres further producing a layered and textured lighting effect. The translucent exterior design produces a graceful arc of the bamboo ribs, held together by 3D-printed rims.

In order to see, feel and experience this Harmony Spheres lamp, get up close and personal (without touching it) at this exhibition. You will be able to feel the tradition and contemporary combining together as one.  

Ketupat Weaving | Raya Furniture

Practitioner: MDM Anita Tompang 

Designer: Mr Andrew Loh

Whenever I see a Ketupat, the first thing that comes to my mind is delicious Malay cuisine. Ketupat is a rice cake wrapped in a pouch, traditionally woven with coconut leaves, used in religious ceremonies throughout the Malay world as form of food offering. In Singapore, it’s usually prepared as a festive food by the Malay-Muslim community during Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji. 

Ketupat weaving is often a family activity that brings together generations together in a celebratory spirit of Hari Ray festivities. More than just weaving ketupat for rice cakes, ketupat pouches are also woven from colourful ribbons to decorate Malay homes during festive periods, they can be woven into a variety of shapes and sizes, including the ketupat raya, the most common ketupat from seen during the Hari Raya festive celebrations. 

How do you transform the ketupat into something contemporary? Through Raya, a celebration of the ketupat raya. It’s being transposed from ketupat raya to contemporary furniture, paying tribute to the sophistication and versatility of the weaving techniques. 

How is Raya Furniture produced? They are woven around foams of different densities instead of coconut leaves and rice cakes, inspired by the function of ketupats as containers. Each module is woven or riveted together with other modules, stacked in different combinations to create the bench and stool on display. 

The modular nature of Raya furniture is a respond to the growing nature of creative designed spaces and encourages users to experiment with modifying/re-transforming their Raya modules into a variety of functional everyday uses.

Peranakan Beadwork and Embroidery | Rejuvenation Gown

Practitioner: Raymond Wong

Designers: Joanna Lim, Joanne Quak (Aller Row)

Peranakan beadwork and embroidery are exquisitely beautiful and intricate crafts, marked with a rich repertoire of motifs and techniques that weave together diverse Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences, reflecting Peranakan culture. Two iconic examples of Peranakan beadwork and embroidery are the beaded slippers (kasut manek) and the Peranakan kebaya dress. 

Peranakan beadwork uses glass and metal seed beads, individually stitched in place onto the cloth. The Peranakan kebaya featured two triangular front panels (lapik) that fall gently over the hips. Combining lacework as well as satin, zigzag and buttonhole stitches are employed to outline floral or geometric motifs on the kebaya. 

Rejuvenation Gown is a contemporary take on the traditional Peranakan kebaya, adapting and incorporating elements of Peranakan kebaya onto a cape-sleeved couture gown, fusing Lim and Quak’s joint vision of creating fashion wear tailored for the modern women, as well as showcasing Wong’s interest in Peranakan culture and expertise in traditional Peranakan beadwork and embroidery techniques. 

Rangoli | Refined Rangoli

Practitioner: Ms Vijaya Mohan

Designer: Jarrod Lim (Jarrod Lim Design)

Rangoli, is a traditional Indian art form dating a long wat back in time to pre-Aryan India. It is a multi-coloured floor decoration, using rice flour or other natural substances such as grains, seeds, vermillion and/or turmeric powder, to create motifs that symbolise joy, prosperity, and/or thanksgiving to the deities. 

They are traditionally drawn on the ground at the entrance of households and are commonly seen during Indian festivals such as Deepavali. Their shapes may range from geometric shapes, to auspicious animals and floral designs, to symbols of Hindu deities. Some of the popular motifs include circular designs that signify the continuity of time, the lotus flower with Goddess Lakshmi in the middle, that represents prosperity and fertility in Hinduism. 

From a 2D art form to a 3D art form, giving rise to Refined Rangoli, widening the possibilities and diversities of Rangoli art form into a modern contemporary design of 3D metalware, including a lampshade and a bowl, a combination of decorative art form with new practical applications. 

Refined Rangoli metalware preserves Rangoli’s artistic flavours and cultural expressions, bringing them to life via laser cutting technology, producing intricate Rangoli motifs carved out onto slices of stainless steel. The thin and flexible metal slices were then folded by hand into the form of the lampshade and bowl.

In order to see, feel and experience the Refined Rangoli, get up close and personal (without touching it) at this exhibition. You will be able to feel the tradition and contemporary combining together as one.  

NHB Craft X Design showcase – A Must Visit 

The inaugural NHB Craft X Design showcase is amazing, a real eye opener into how we can merge the world of heritage, culture and traditions together with modern contemporary inputs from design and applications to everyday living. 

This showcase is an inspiration to all, it’s also a modern contemporary method of continuing heritage, culture and traditions from the older generations to the younger generations. Highly recommended for extended families to bring their children/grandchildren to visit, learn and appreciate about Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving, conserving and passing on our heritage, culture and traditions to the future generations.

Craft X Design Showcase Information

Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Longer Concourse, Level 1, 93 Stamford Road, S178897

Date: 2nd July 2022 to 31st July 2022

Time: Opens daily 10am to 7pm

Admission: Free

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Time had passed in the blink of an eye, from her 1st year anniversary in 2017, followed by the big memorial service in the 2nd year anniversary in 2018. The 3rd year anniversary in 2019 was an extended family gathering of remembrance of our family matriarch.

It was a simple remembrance ceremony, putting her favourite food and offerings on the morning of 17th November 2019 along with the extended family gathering, chatting and catching up. On the eve of my grandmother’s 3rd year anniversary, there was an omen that caught our attention.

On the evening of 16th November 2019, we arrived from our drive up from Singapore and having a rest in the living room, getting ready to leave for dinner outside. There was a moth flying in the living room above us, spotted by us and my auntie said, “Grandmother is back, looking at us!”. At that moment, I also felt that grandmother was back to visit us on the eve of her 3rd anniversary. I didn’t take any photo of the moth flying inside the living room, however, it will always be a memory inside us who were there at that time and written down in this article.

As another year had passed since she left us, the matriarch of the family will forever be with us and inside us. Her legacy, teachings, stories and love for her family will be pass down to generations and beyond.

Lest we forget.

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The theme for Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival is “Bicentennial Mid-Autumn Festival 2019” (欢庆开埠两百年 花好月圆庆中秋). This year’s line-up has new bicentennial elements, the lanterns over two kilometres lining up New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street, giving visitors a visual tour from 200 years back – from the founding of modern Singapore in 1819, to the future of Singapore.

What are the key events and highlights of Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019? Let me bring you through a quick journey below:

Official Light-Up and Opening Ceremony (开幕典礼与亮灯仪式）

Date: 31st August 2019

Time: 6:30pm to 10:00pm

Location: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street

The curtain raiser to Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019, the Opening Ceremony will take audience on a trip down memory lane from 1819 to 2019 and beyond. This will be a storytelling performance, a total of 248 performers putting up a multicultural theatre, song and dance performances, LED dragon dance and xinyao music medleys.

The Opening Ceremony will end with a big bang with the official light up grand finale!

Street Light Up (牛车水庆中秋亮灯）

Date: 31st August to 28th September 2019

Time: 7:00pm to 12:00am (Sunday to Thursday) ; 7:00pm to 2:00am (Friday and Saturday)

Location: Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road

A convergence of Singapore Bicentennial celebrations and Mid-Autumn festivities is being displayed on the streets of Chinatown in the from of handcrafted lanterns, showcasing the story and history of Singapore’s progress from the founding years, to present and into the future. A total of 168 handcrafted lanterns are displayed along New Bridge Road, Eu Tong Sen Street and South Bridge Road.

The main centrepiece lantern display is at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street, measuring 11m in height x 7m x 7m, celestial Chang’e is holding the Jade Rabbit, standing alongside seven time “stamps”, reflecting scenes of Singapore and future worlds with a full moon in the background. This centrepiece is a conglomeration of Singapore’s culture and heritage, showcasing the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 theme “Bicentennial Mid-Autumn Festival 2019”, welcoming all visitors to join in Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 celebrations at Chinatown.

Looking Back 1819 – 1965

Spot Sir Stamford Raffles, marking his arrival and Singapore’s beginnings as a free port, check out the attap hut, wooden sampan and fishermen.

Standing On One’s Feet 1965 – 2000 and 2000 – 2019

Two eras that reflects toil in Singapore’s nation building and flourishing of a global cosmopolitan city. Reminisce the nostalgic memories of old-school red and white buses, travel through time to the modern era, spot present day cultural and tourist icons such as Gardens by the Bay and Changi Airport.

Prospects 2019 – future

What does the future hold for Singapore? Check out the abstract buildings and futuristic designs.

Festive Bazaar and Trade Fair (中秋街头市集）

Date: 30th August to 13th September 2019

Time: 6:30pm to 1030:pm

Location: Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Street and Smith Street

Come on down for some Mid-Autumn festive shopping and fun at Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019.

Nightly Stage Shows (中秋综艺晚会）

Date: 31st August to 13th September 2019

Time: 8:00 pm to 10:30pm

Location: Kreta Ayer Square

Gather at Kreta Ayer Square for a nightly dose of fun and entertainment!

Heritage + Food Trail (美食与文化之旅)

Date: 1st, 7th and 8th September 2019

Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: Information booth in front of the stage at Kreta Ayer Square

Food lovers alert! Sign up for a heritage + food trail to savour local cuisine located in Chinatown, home to some of the most famous and historical hawker centres in town. There are 22 heritage stalls inside this food trail, all of them have decades of history, heritage and culture within them.

Notes:

Tickets are priced at $10 each (inclusive of food tasting), registration required, slots are allocated on a first-come-first serve basis.

Mass Lantern Walk （中秋大型游灯会）

Date: 8th September 2019

Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00pm

Location:

Start point – Kreta Ayer Square

End point – Along New Bridge Road (main stage in front of Lucky Chinatown)

A highly anticipated and time-honoured practice of Mid-Autumn Festival, carrying a lantern with the extended family under the moonlit sky. This would be a great and fun family bonding time!

Mid-Autumn Festival 2019 is coming soon, it’s also a time for families reunion and fun. Come on down to Chinatown during Mid-Autumn Festival and celebrate with your family, relatives, loved ones, friends and colleagues. Do Pay It Forward and Pass It On, the events, colourful lanterns and programmes taking place during Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019!

For more information, visit them at:

Website: www.chinatownfestivals.sg

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Chinatown.Festivals

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chinatown_festivals

Official hashtag for Chinatown Festivals: #chinatownfestivalSG

Official hashtag for Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival 2019: #chinatownbicentennialMAF

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Your presence can still be felt when the extended family came back for your 1^st year anniversary, preparing your favourite food and offerings for the memorial service.

I will always remember you, stories, thoughts and feelings from my remembrance article that I wrote in dedication to your memory in January 2017. It’s not just me, the entire extended family too, will always remember you, in their hearts, mind and soul.

From the young and bubbly great-grandchildren, to us, the grandchildren and your children, the strength and unity is one of the best testimonials to you as the matriarch who led, controlled and took great care of this family.

Sending money, clothes, gifts and durian to my matriarch, my paternal grandmother in heaven, the entire extended family of 5 generations under her, hope that she likes the gifts when she receives it!

农历十月二十一，阿嬷的祭日，全家五代永远记得在心。

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