Chingay parade 2016 - lights of legacy, brighter Singapore - Carmen

Chingay is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. From the main parade site to the heartlands, this street extravaganza epitomises the dynamism of Singapore's vibrant and multicultural society. I think the purpose of chingay is to mark the years that have passed and to strive for a better Singapore. On the day in which me and all my year mates had went for the chingay parade, we all saw many memorable events and they all never fail to amaze me.

Vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu masters, performers of different races in their traditional costumes and many many more were performing. Such of the events would be various Malay and indian dances and those of other races. Besides, the light effects that evening brought out the "lights of legacy, better Singapore' theme. They were colourful and also matched the costumes of the performances.

Their performances have warmed my heart as to how a huge performance could actually be put together. It is amazing that how thousands of Singaporeans can actually form up such a wonderful and spectacular performance. I believe this is all because of one main reason, the teamwork  and unity that us Singaporeans have. 

I find it really important that Singapore is a multicultural society as this ensures that regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background, are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential. Everyone has access to education, which equips them with skills and knowledge to earn a better living. 

Hence with this said, i think the organiser has fulfilled his purpose and make Singapore a more successful place.

Chingay Parade 2016 - LIGHTS OF LEGACY, BRIGHTER SINGAPORE

I think the purpose of Chingay 2016 was to connect Singaporeans together from different races, connect overseas memebers and celebrate the Lunar New Year. This has changed alot from the first Chingay as the intial purpose of the first Chingay is just to liften the spirits of the Chinese in Singapore. But now, the Chingay is an event where there are performers from all age groups, from all over the world and also backstage crew from all over the parts of Singapore. Performers and backstage crews have came united and stood together and completed this significant event. This changed has happened from the first Chingay to the Chingay this year as people were willing to put away their identies and work as one to have a better Chingay 2016. I think the organizers have successfully fulfilled this purpose as the performers and backstage crew have really unite together to put up a great Chingay show for audiences to watch. The organizers have also successfully bring the Singaporeans together and unite them as one Singapore. Lets all work together to a better SG100.

Chingay 2016 (Isaiah See)

Chingay's is an annual event with the purpose of celebrating the chinese new year. However, overtime, it became and multi-racial, inter-country event. This year's other purpose is to mark the next 50 years for Singapore to prosper towards SG100.

This has changed over the years since the first chingay as the first chingay was held as another way to celebrate chinese new year since firecrackers were banned in singapore that year. Over the years, it started becoming multicultural (1976) and started foreigners started joining in this event (1987). To make this relevant to everyone, Chingay took a step forward and became a uniquely Singapore event.

The organisers have indeed successfully fulfilled this purpose this year. the colorful costumes, high spirits of the participants and volunteers, floats and differnet programmes has indeed fascinated me as an audience. This celebration had showcased the high tech gadgets that we might be using in the near future as popularity rises (hoverboards , drones, etc. ). It also preserves the past in displaying some activities related to the chinese new year. ( The dragon dance made of firecrackers, the loud noises of chinese instruments , etc.) Although we must embrace the future that lays before us, we should also remember the past and learn from mistakes. On this point, i feel that the organisers have done a great job in making the audience feel this.

Chingay Parade 2016 - Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore - Jia Xuan

    2016 marks the first year of Singapore's next 50 and hence, Chingay 2016 is aptly themed, "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". I think that the purpose of Chingay 2016 is to mark the 50 years that have passed, as well as to signify a brighter and more successful Singapore in the next 50 years to come. 

    The first Chingay was held on 4 February 1973, and the parade was a relatively simple one which had been put together by the People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation, and it saw a procession of lion dances, giant flag bearers, dragon dancers, stilt walkers, clowns and juggling acts down a 3 kilometre route from old Victoria School to Outram Park. While many in Singapore feel that the annual Chingay parade, now in its 43rd year, has moved away from its original purpose of a street parade for the masses first celebrated in 1973 to make up for a total ban on the long held tradition of letting off fireworks during the Luanr New Year, the parade is without a doubt still very much a celebration of what Singapore is and what perhaps Singapore has become. The parade has in its recent editions become a show of the spectacular, combining a street-like parade in which the people from all major races and from all walks of life participate, with a well-orchestrated show of lights, music and effects which never fail to dazzle the audience. I think that this change happened as Singapore has gone through many changes in technology and economy, hence the change in the way we celebrate Chingay. 

    I think the organisers have successfully fulfilled the purpose of Chingay 2016 which is the mark of the starting of the next 50 years to come before SG 100 arrives. In order to portray a brighter Singapore in the future, the organisers have incorporated bright and colourful floats with brightly-lighted costumes worn by the performers. All these bright and colourful "lights of legacy", with light sticks and a lightbulb included in the drawstring bag given to us, this allows us to get into the theme of "Lights of Legacy, Brighter Singapore". That definitely shows us that the purpose of Chingay 2016 is to aim for a brighter and more successful Singapore in the future.