Reviving the fest: A file photo of Lynn (foreground, centre), clan youth leaders and volunteers from the crocheting community showing off crocheted magpies at the Kong Chow Wui Koon clan association in Singapore. — The Straits Times/ANN
CHINESE dialect groups in the country are coming together to celebrate a traditional Chinese festival, which returns here for the second year running.
Qixi Fest 2024, which celebrates the Qixi Festival, kicked off on Saturday with a street party in Keong Saik Road.
Also known as the Double Seventh Festival, Qiqiao Festival (qiqiao means “wishing for skills” in English) and Seven Sisters Festival, it marks the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which falls on Aug 10 this year.
Celebrating cultural heritage, craftsmanship and community, the event at Chinatown’s Kreta Ayer Square will run until Aug 11 and feature workshops, games and performances, as well as traditional Qixi Festival customs.
Qiaoguo, a type of sweet pastry, is traditionally made and gifted among family and friends at the festival.
A DIY Qiaoguo kit at Qixi Fest allows participants to create their own version of the pastry. Besides the original base featuring red and white bean paste to represent the colours of Singapore, it has flavours representing the different dialects and customs.
Each DIY kit has a “blind box” that comes with one of six extra flavours – Hainanese desiccated coconut, Cantonese red dates, Teochew longan, Hakka mugwort powder and sesame, Hokkien roasted soya bean powder and hazelnuts representing the new immigrants in Singapore.
Wang Quancheng, 56, president of Hua Yuan Association, said: “Since members of Hua Yuan are new immigrants from diverse backgrounds not limited by blood or geographical ties, we consider ourselves a ‘family of integration’.
“The Han Dynasty marked the first major cultural integration in Chinese history, which is why we recommend using hazelnuts, a popular offering during the period.”
The clan association has about 6,000 members and will be presenting a variety of song, dance and instrumental performances at Qixi Fest.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty, the festival was brought to Singapore by Chinese immigrant women in the 19th century and became a grand celebration until it faded in the 1970s.
In 2023, Singaporean heritage consultant Lynn Wong revived the festival in Singapore and is the Qixi Fest’s director.
Making a special appearance at the Keong Saik street party kicking off the festivities was Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, together with Tanjong Pagar GRC MPs Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing, Alvin Tan, Eric Chua and Joan Pereira, and Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong.
Lawrence said that even though the event is a Chinese community festival, Singaporeans of all races and religions can celebrate together as one united people.
“I look forward to engaging you, listening to your feedback and working with all of you to see how best we can take Singapore forward together,” said Lawrence, who has been visiting different constituencies.
Around 50,000 attendees enjoyed activities such as photo opportunities with an inflatable Qixi Fest mascot – a magpie called Qiqi.There were also free urban sketching sessions featuring 72-year-old retiree Anne Lim, the great-granddaughter of the late businessman and philanthropist Tan Keong Saik.
A highlight was the Queen’s Gambit Spectacular, where Singapore’s eight-year-old chess prodigy Ashwath Kaushik simultaneously took on 14 opponents in a display of his exceptional skill and strategic prowess.
“As we celebrate the second edition of Qixi Fest, our mission remains to revive and cherish the rich traditions that have shaped us,” said Lynn.
“This festival is not just about commemorating our foremothers, but also about fostering community spirit and showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of our local artists.”
The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and National Heritage Board. — The Straits Times/ANN
