The most exciting moment was when Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan stood on a float, waving and greeting the excited crowds, receiving rounds of applause!
田增梅–妆艺大游行之情
25年前，当我第一次从中国大陆南来新加坡后不久，就喜迎了华人新年的到来，才知道新加坡每年华人新年之际都有妆艺大游行活动。我也很荣幸参与了2002年的在乌节路举办的妆艺大游行，来自世界各地的花车游行队伍和表演者载歌载舞，欢快地通过马路两边人山人海的欢乐人群。其中最让人兴奋的是，香港巨星成龙亲自站在花车上，与兴奋的人们挥手打招呼，迎来了阵阵掌声！
之后的新年期间，我也陆续参加了几次妆艺大游行。后来妆艺大游行走进邻里，让更多的市民有机会领略妆艺大游行的精彩盛世景象！
妆艺大游行是新加坡一年一度的节日街头游行庆典，也是新加坡华人新年期间重要的文化活动之一，由新加坡人民协会主办，于农历新年第二周的周末举行。 新加坡首届妆艺大游行于1973年2月4日由人民协会举行，已经历经半个多世纪的历程。现时游行的表演队伍除了来自新加坡19个社区的人民协会，也有来自其他国家的表演团体，汇聚来自不同民族和国家的文化表演。新加坡与马来西亚联合申请了世界非物质文化遗产，希望能早日实现。也希望新加坡妆艺大游行继续发扬光大，为新加坡和来新加坡的游客带来文化与艺术的体验！（作者：田增梅，Tian Zengmei)
25 years ago, shortly after I first arrived in Singapore from mainland China, I joyfully welcomed the Chinese New Year and learned that Singapore holds the Chingay Parade every year during the Chinese New Year. I was also fortunate enough to participate in the 2002 Chingay Parade held on Orchard Road. Floats and performers from all over the world sang and danced joyfully through the sea of happy people on both sides of the road. The most exciting moment was when Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan stood on a float, waving and greeting the excited crowds, receiving rounds of applause!
During the following New Year period, I also participated in the Chingay Parade several times. Later, the Chingay Parade came to the neighborhood, giving more citizens the opportunity to experience its spectacular sights!
The Chingay Parade is an annual festive street parade in Singapore, and one of the important cultural events during the Chinese New Year. Organized by the People’s Association of Singapore, it is held on the second weekend of the Lunar New Year. The first Chingay Parade was held by the People’s Association on February 4, 1973, and has a history of over half a century. Currently, the parade features performances from People’s Associations representing 19 communities in Singapore, as well as performing groups from other countries. The Chingay Parade brings together cultural performances from different ethnic groups and countries. Singapore and Malaysia have jointly applied for recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and we hope it will be recognized soon. We also hope that the Chingay Parade will continue to flourish, bringing cultural and artistic experiences to Singapore and its visitors!
Author: Tian Zengmei
Singapore University of Social Sciences