Chingay Parade (2016)

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight
2016 - The Year of the Monkey

Chingay is an annual event and has become a uniquely Singaporean Lunar New Year tradition, held during the first weekend of the Lunar New Year. The word Chingay is equivalent to the Mandarin meaning "zhuang yi" (妆艺), which means "the art of costume and masquerade" in the Hokkien dialect. Not only is it a national event, but it is also the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site into the heartlands, with the vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu masters, performers of different races in their traditional costumes etc…  It is surely a sight to behold.

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

Did you know? 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.

“Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore” 智 慧 灯 海, 璀 璨 新 加 坡

The official theme for Chingay Parade 2016 Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore” is 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). It is the brightest and the biggest full-scale illuminated show (to  date).

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

So the next time you are in Singapore, just around the Lunar New Year (usually in early February), there is one more activity you can do, attend the Chingay and revel in its dynamic representation of Singapore's vibrant and multicultural society! [More about Chingay]

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight

All photos taken by Alvin Choi. Don't forget to follow him @lyricalight!
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