Tan Bee Lian and her son, Arthur Ong, dressed as kueh tutu and ang ku kueh respectively at the Chingay parade in 2025. - ARTHUR ONG
SINGAPORE: For Chingay this year, Arthur Ong dressed up as an ang ku kueh. In his nine years as a Chingay performer, the 40-year-old technical support executive has also danced with lotus flowers, and helped to choreograph dances.
“One of my fond childhood memories was watching the Chingay performers give out candies and toys along Orchard Road in the 80s, perched on my dad’s shoulders,” said Ong, who was part of the Singapore Buddhist Federation’s contingent. “I decided then that I wanted to be a performer one day.”
As Singapore and Malaysia prepare to nominate the street parade for Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list in March, the People’s Association (PA) is hoping to spark a similar interest among children today.
Its efforts include exhibitions in schools, a story book for preschoolers, and even a Minecraft competition to design digital Chingay floats.
“Chingay is more than just a parade; it is a form of living heritage that continues to thrive, even after more than five decades,” said Tan Swee Leng, vice-chairperson for Chingay 2025.
The joint nomination for Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will be Singapore’s third submission to the list, following the successful inscription of hawker culture in December 2020, and the kebaya in Dec 2024.
The first Chingay procession was held on Feb 4 in 1973. - NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF SINGAPORE
Intangible cultural heritage refers to traditions or living expressions that are inherited and passed on between generations, such as performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events.
The joint nomination is part of Singapore’s diamond jubilee celebrations in 2025, and also commemorates the 60th anniversary of ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
“It’s about time,” said Ong, whose 63-year-old mother - dressed as a kueh tutu - performed in Chingay with him this year.
“It’s in our heritage and blood since I was born. It shows the rich multicultural flavours of Singapore and Malaysia, so I’m sure we will succeed.”
PA told ST that more than 40 schools have indicated interest to share with their students about Chingay and its road to Unesco, and to bring Chingay Unesco exhibits into their premises. It hopes to reach out to 30,000 students by March 2025.
And a book for preschoolers on the importance of volunteerism, multiculturalism, and Chingay being a people’s parade will be launched in the second quarter of 2025. It will be given to major pre-school operators.
PA will also work with the National Library Board to conduct reading sessions during school holidays and roadshows, along with activities such as colouring.
In January 2026, a Minecraft Challenge will be introduced to allow primary and secondary school students who have access to Minecraft Education - a game-based learning platform - to develop floats in a virtual Chingay event.
PA has also been using its Chingay National Education (NE) Programme to amplify its Unesco campaign in schools.
Primary Four pupil Ezra Siew was one of 47 boys from St Stephen’s School who attended the Chingay National Education show - a parade preview - on Jan 18.
Said the 9-year-old: “It was very fun, colourful and creative. I really hope it will win the Unesco bid so that it will become more renowned in the world and be preserved as heritage.”
P. Ramesh, assistant director of PA’s arts and culture division, said: “The schools have been very receptive as these shows help the students go from theory to practical and visual to understand more about Chingay. We need to start these children from an early age to help them understand about Singapore’s multi-culturalism and diversity.”
The public can participate too, with PA recruiting volunteers and organising roadshows to drum up support for the Unesco nomination. More than 100 volunteers have signed up to share with the public about Chingay at roadshows.
Chingay performers at the F1 Pit Building on the second day of the Chingay Parade on Feb 8.- BRIAN TEO
The first roadshow was held on Feb 7 and 8 at the F1 Pit Building, and will make its rounds to eight heartland sites, including Ang Mo Kio, Marsiling-Yew Tee, and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRCs.
At these roadshows, visitors can write messages on postcards and drop them into dedicated Chingay post boxes. These will be collated as a part of the Unesco submission.
In addition, a Chingay exhibition truck is planned for the third quarter of 2025. One can expect to see historical photos, costumes, and artifacts related to Chingay’s evolution, as well as information about the parade’s cultural significance.
An official microsite at supportchingaysg.gov.sg has been created for the public to leave real time messages of support. It has garnered over 500 messages so far.
And a series of six national stamps will be released if Chingay is successfully inscribed on the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The annual spectacle has attracted many fans since its 1973 debut.
One of these is Romin Lim, 53, who started performing in Chingay in 1985. Among his most memorable Chingay moments was when he performed as the God of Fortune along Orchard Road in 1999.
“Year after year, I found myself returning to support Chingay and each time, it felt like a heartfelt homecoming to familiar faces and a shared passion,” he said.
“With the nomination, I hope that more young people will step forward, not just to perform, but to experience the teamwork, dedication, and friendships that make Chingay so unique,” he added.
Rasya Hanis Mohammad Nur’ Hidzat, 18, a production crew member with Chingay in 2024 and 2025, invited five of her friends to join her as volunteers in 2025. She has since forged friendships with many others at the parade.
“Being recognised by Unesco would encourage more people to appreciate the different cultural traditions and diversity around the world that we get to showcase through Chingay,” she said.
The excitement is felt in Malaysia too.
Ong Zhan Hao, 31, who is Special Officer for Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, said the whole Chingay community in Penang is looking forward to the joint submission.
Ong, who was among the 20 participants from Penang who participated in this year’s Chingay in Singapore, said: “Many spent their whole life perfecting their skills and performances. If successful, we will finally gain recognition on the world stage.” - The Straits Times/ANN
