Singapore News: If you are new to Singapore or just do not go to China Town, here is a chance to visit with family starting this weekend as Chinatown Singapore celebrates Singapore’s unique culture and heritage and traditional food with the second edition of The Five Footway Festival between 11-19 March.
The Festival promotes inclusivity and diversity, with something for everyone, in celebrating Singapore's culture and heritage.
Visitors can come to Chinatown Street Market and take in new experiences; traditional Chinese opera, wu-shu (martial art performances), lion dance performances, photo exhibitions, old school games, workshops, and heritage food stalls.
The Five Footway Festival is part of the Chinatown Business Association's (CBA) programming, which aims to promote Singapore's heritage and culture. Chinatown Singapore is a vibrant hub of culture and heritage, and CBA promotes this with a variety of workshops, editorials, cultural and lifestyle festivals, and unique street market experiences.
"Tourists can imbibe the heritage and culture of the five main dialects groups from classical opera performances, traditional songs rendition talks on local customs, local desert making workshops, kite making, opera headdress making workshops etc . There are also walking trails themed on Chinatown‘s wall murals and another walking trail, with the tour guide regaling participants through the eyes of a tailor, traditional shoemaker, songstress, coolie, and Samsui woman. There are also northern and southern lion dance performances, rounded off with a Chinese martial arts performance."
“We are glad to partner with different performance groups in promoting our heritage and culture. Chinatown Singapore’s history is deeply entwined with Singapore and is closely knitted to Singapore’s identity. We hope to bring great moments for our visitors,” said Ms. Lim Yick Suan, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Association.
The Five Footway Festival will be a fun and exciting event that will take attendees on a journey back in time to Singapore's past. Popular childhood games such as chapteh and hopscotch will also be available at Chinatown Street Market along Pagoda Street, bringing back nostalgia and creating a sense of camaraderie among the community.
One of the key highlights is the traditional delights that will tantalize the taste buds. From the malt candy giveaway to the unique Hainanese kueh yi-bua workshop, there will be something to suit everyone’s palate.
For those who enjoy capturing their memories, there will be heritage character cut- outs in the form of mata mata (policeman), samsui woman , and teh tarik man (pulled tea) along Sago Street, Pagoda Street and Tregganu Street. These captivating photo opportunities will make for lasting memories of this special event. For CBA’s monthly workshops conducted at Chinatown Visitor Centre, the theme will be centered around the Five Footway Festival. Participants will have the opportunity to experience unique activities from their forefathers' times, such as an opera headdress handicraft workshop, kite making workshop, chapteh making workshop.