SINGAPORE, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The annual Chingay Parade kicked off in Singapore Friday night as a highlight event to wrap up the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong joined in the parade with Singaporeans.
Themed "Soundwaves Chingay, We Care Singapore", this year's parade aims to demonstrate that "We are a caring Singapore" and "We are a united National with Resilient Spirit". This parade also celebrates the ethnic and home-grown cultures and acclaimed artists.
Nah Juay Hng, Chairman of Chingay Parade 2017 executive committee, told Xinhua that this year's parade presents natural elements like water, fire, snow, rain and wind. Meanwhile, it adds some nostalgia flavor such as Xinyao, songs written by local musicians in the 1980s.
A total of 8,000 performers participated in this year's Chingay Parade, and 10 overseas contingents from the Chinese mainland, China's Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Cambodia and other countries and regions also took their parts. Nah stressed that the parade highlights the friendship between Singapore and participating countries.
The Chingay parade has seven parts, namely Opening, Yesteryear's Chingay and Our Ethnic Cultures, Friends from all over the World, Resilience and Dreams of Singapore, Our Mission, Our Cause and Xinyao, Arts for everyone and Chingay 2017 Finale.
One highlight of the parade is the beautiful opening "Crescent and Stars" performed by 600 dancers, which exemplifies and uplifts the five core values that enshrined in Singapore's national flag.
The Chinese ethnic and folk dance performed by artists from Beijing Dance Academy also attracted the audience. The youth dance company integrated international ballroom dance and Chinese classic dance, while cooperated with performers who brought traditional Korean dance.
Li Nan, team leader of the youth dance company, told Xinhua that it's a special experience for him to perform at Chingay. He said the youth dance company usually perform in the theater on stage, while at Chingay more focus is put on interaction as the performance is done in the street. "In such a context, it's important to reach the exciting moment and resonate with the audience," Li added.
In addition, performers from Malaysia's Johor Bahru Yang Sports Association showcased stunning pyrotechnics display on stilt, Indonesian contingent presented Kuda Lumping featuring colorful and beautifully decorated costumes, and artists from Cambodia brought performance themed "Unity in Cultural Diversity", such as the Apsara Dance, Bokator etc.
Hun Many, President of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, told Xinhua that the Cambodian contingent love to join in Chingay, not only to show their beauty, their culture, but to share it to all front. "Because the idea there is about friendship, it's about being all together, being united, to build the future," he said.
The word "Chingay" is phonetically borrowed from the dialect in Hokkien or Fujian, China, meaning the art of costume and masquerade. It evolved from celebrations in the southern part of China during the Spring Festival, and has been held in Singapore each year since 1973.
According to the organizer, the parade will be repeated on Saturday evening, and a related event named "Chingay Night Fiesta 2017" will be held at Chinatown Sunday evening.
