“Harmony” is not an abstract concept, but comes from the concrete handshake, practice and laughter in daily life.
The Singapore Chingay Parade is like a distant memory to me. The feeling and memory of Chingay parade was witnessing the power of “harmony and difference” in the bright lights.
This is not only a festive feast, but also a flowing national narrative, through which I can feel the unique spiritual context of a pluralistic society. On the stage, Chinese dragon dance and Malay drum music are intertwined, traditional Indian dance and modern street dance in a dialogue, and the faces of various ethnic groups shine under the twirling lights. No culture plays an absolute protagonist, and no one is just a supporting role. It’s a wise declaration that not all differences need to be smoothen out, for they can form harmony through a common rhythm. It goes beyond simple “inclusion” and shows a more positive energy of “co-creation” – you and I are different, which is why the celebration we create is so unique.
The most touching thing is that the parade is full of diversity of people coming together, not only a stage for professional actors, but also a showcase for community groups, school students and ordinary people. Seeing the children with slightly jerky but extremely serious performance and seeing neighbors of different ethnicities pushing the floats hand in hand, you will feel that “harmony” is not an abstract concept, but comes from the concrete handshake, practice and laughter in daily life. This wide range of participation has given a solid foundation for cultural inheritance and integration.
The Chingay Parade proves that diverse identities can be a source of creativity. This grand carnival tells us that true cohesion does not come from the consistency of colors, but from the thousands of lights in the parade – each one maintains its own brilliance, but together it can illuminate a bright starry sky and give the world the most precious gift. While celebrating their respective traditions, they are also weaving a more belonging future together.
Author: Lulu Peng