Spotlight on S'pore at jubilee River Hongbao

Next month's River Hongbao is set to be the biggest in its 29-year history, as it celebrates not just the Chinese New Year, but also Singapore's jubilee year.

Among the highlights will be an SG50 photo exhibition, a singing marathon with 50 well-known getai singers and aerial tightrope walkers from China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

The food street and lantern display will be the largest yet, with more than 60 handcrafted lanterns and 60 local food stalls.

The annual Chinese New Year carnival will be held at The Float @ Marina Bay from Feb 17 to 28.

It usually showcases the culture and delicacies of different provinces in China, but this year, the focus will be on Singapore.

A 50m-long giant mural will illustrate the city skyline, symbolising Singapore's nation-building milestones.

There will be an exhibition, curated by Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao's editorial team, featuring photos of Singaporeans celebrating Chinese New Year in the past.

Several lanterns will feature old local icons such as the dragon playground and the New World Amusement Park from the 1920s.

Organisers are also commemorating 25 years of Singapore's diplomatic ties with China with its first collaboration with Xinjiang.

Two members of the Acrobatic Troupe of Xinjiang China will perform stunts on a 60m-long tightrope at least 20m off the ground.

Singers and dancers from Xinjiang Normal University and National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sport will take the stage for the first six nights, before performers from Singapore take over.

"This year, River Hongbao aims to relive fond memories of how we celebrate Lunar New Year since independence, as well as to reflect what has changed and what has stayed firmly rooted with us," said Mr Liang Eng Hwa, chairman of the organising committee and Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

The light-up ceremony will take place on Feb 17, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong doing the honours.

There will be two firework displays at the carnival - one during the ceremony at 8pm and another during the Chinese New Year countdown on Feb 18.

Opening hours will be from 2pm to 11pm daily, except on Feb 18, when it will close at 1am after the countdown.

Admission is free.

mellinjm@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 29, 2015.
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