Digital Chingay 2021 celebrates Singapore’s Hawker Culture with an original composition–the Hawker Culture jingle. The public is invited to join the fun with hawker-inspired movements and music during Digital Chingay 2021 on Saturday, 20 February 2021. Members of the public of all ages can show their moves in support of their favourite hawkers in a fun TikTok challenge.This marks Chingay’s tribute to Singapore’s achievement in its first item on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in December2020.
Reflecting how Singapore’s hawker culture is a source of pride for all Singaporeans regardless of age, race or background,the Hawker Culture jingle incorporates commonly heard words and sounds from our hawker centres, put together by local composer Goh Kheng Long, who is also the Music Director for Digital Chingay 2021.
Celebrating hawker culture through Chingay 2021
Goh, who has also penned several original compositions specially for Digital Chingay 2021, said, “The year 2020 saw a lot of changes to our lives but I realised one of the things that could stand the test of time given whatever situation was our hawker culture. Our hawkers assured us with tastes that we’re familiar with, and food we find comfort in. The sights and sounds of hawker centres excite us even before we savour the wonderful flavours. Bustling sounds of order taking, clanging plates, food sizzling on heated woks all make up a symphony of sounds which was the inspiration for the jingle.”
In Digital Chingay 2021, the jingle will be backed by a dance performance by members of the Merdeka Generation. To show support to our hawker heroes, members of the public are encouraged to learn the easy andfun movements and join the TikTok Challenge from 5 to 14 February 2021. More details can be found here.
Gillian Phua, owner of hawker stall Shaker Lakers, who will be part of Digital Chingay’s Hawker Culture Jingle segment, said, “Hawker centres are places where people from all walks of life come together to enjoy tasty and delicious food at a reasonable price. We are happy that we received recognition by UNESCO, fora lifestyle unique to Singapore. We are excited to represent the hawker community to be part of Digital Chingay 2021and show that we hawkers not only can cook, we can dance too!”
Aside from the Hawker Culture jingle, songs that many Singaporeans are familiar with like Mandarin pop-song “The Moonlight in the City” (“城里的月光”), have also been refreshed with new arrangements.
Chingay also continues to be a platform to showcase local budding talents. Making her Chingay debut is award-winning 14-year-old violinist prodigy, Chloe Chua, who will tug at the heartstrings of audiences with her rendition of “The Moonlight in the City” (“城里的月光”), which complements this year’s theme of “Light of Hope”.
Digital Chingay 2021 will be streamed ‘live’ to homes for the first time in 49 years. Viewers can watch the live broadcast on Mediacorp Channels 5 and 8 as well as online at www.chingay.gov.sg, meWATCH, Mediacorp Suria and Vasantham Facebook pages and the official PAssion Chingay Club Facebook page on 20 February 2021 from 8pm.
The hour-long showcase will feature a line-up of local and international performers from over 100 organisations. Chingay gives back 10Joining in to spread cheer and hope during Digital Chingay2021,the Dairy Farm Group has pledged S$10,000 worth of grocery vouchers for underprivileged families.Members of the public are encouraged to join the Digital Chingay telecast/webcast on 20 February 2021 in order to reach the target goal of atleast 20,000 livestream viewers to unlock the S$10,000 donation.
As part of ongoing efforts to #SupportLocal, the People’s Association (PA) has also partnered Lazada to run the first-ever Digital Chingay 2021 Mama Shop from now till 31 March 2021.
Products and services designed or produced locally by Singapore designers, merchants and social enterprises such as the Singapore Fashion Runway, OETEO, Faire Leather Co and Bettr Coffee Co will be available on the Chingay Mama Shop on Lazada from now till31 March 2021. A portion of the sale proceeds of selected items will go towards supporting different social or charitable causes under the five Community Development Councils’programmes as well as different social enterprises. Local businesses that are interested to participate in this initiative can find out more here.
Tan Swee Leng, Director, Singapore Chingay & Events Network, PA, said,“Tapping on the opportunity to present Chingay in a digital format this year, we hope to extend our celebration of local heritage to include our beloved hawker culture, rallying our audiences to partake in the jingle for Hawker Culture segment during the 20 February telecast as well as the TikTok challenge. A sa truly border less festival,anyone anywhere can watch our line-up of local talents and performers and we call all Singaporeans to watch, participate and share their creativity with us.We are also thankful to the many sponsors and partners who believed in our continual bid to promote arts and culture in this multicultural nation; and who have come on board to support us on this journey.
Contact persons:
Belinda Goh (Ms)
Head (Partnership and Outreach)
Singapore Chingay and Events Network
Contact numbers: 90660115 / 62388997
Email: [email protected]
Tracy Low (Ms)
Senior Account Executive
Ninemer Communications
Contact number: 96545876
Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]
About People’s Association
The People’s Association(PA) is a statutory board established on 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social cohesion, and to act as a bridge between the Government and the people. We offer a wide range of community programmes and volunteering opportunities for Singaporeans from all walks of life.Our network includes close to 2,000GrassrootsOrganisations(GROs), over 100 Community Clubs, five Community Development Councils, National Community Leadership Institute and PAssion WaVe. More information at www.pa.gov.sg.
