Hundreds of lanterns to light up Chinatown ahead of Chinese New Year
Celebrations to usher in Chinese New Year will begin on Saturday in Chinatown, with the area set to be illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.
Festivities are expected to be muted owing to the Covid-19 situation, but there will still be plenty to see at this year's Chinese New Year light-up.
Eighty-eight ox lanterns will illuminate Eu Tong Sen Street and New Bridge Road. They are among the 888 lanterns lighting up the precinct, said the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee yesterday.
The 880m light-up will also feature lanterns in the shape of pomelos, blossom trees and ingots. The decorations are symbolic of the light-up's theme, "Usher in Good Health, Prosperity and Happiness".
South Bridge Road will also be adorned with lanterns depicting the 12 zodiac animals.
This year's centrepiece will be located opposite Chinatown Point. It will be 10m tall, depicting a golden ox surrounded by gold coins and ingots, with a riverbank and water wheel next to it representing the flow of wealth and fortune.
Mr Vincent Tan, who heads the light-up organising committee, told reporters yesterday the budget for this year's light-up is similar to that of previous years.
However, with the bazaar called off and no lion dance performances, the overall budget for the Chinese New Year celebrations is lower than it used to be, he said.
"Even though events such as the Festive Street Bazaar and Countdown Party had to be cancelled to minimise crowds, visitors can still enjoy the colours, sights and sounds of Chinatown with their family and loved ones," he added.
While the committee welcomed visitors to observe the light-up, it reminded them to abide by safe management measures such as wearing masks at all times and keeping 1m apart from one another.
People can also watch the light-up ceremony from their homes. It will be streamed live on Chinatown Festivals' Facebook page on Saturday at 8pm.
The lanterns were designed in collaboration with 12 undergraduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
Beyond the light-up, those who celebrate Chinese New Year can also look forward to short films about Chinese New Year delicacies.
The films will be streamed on the Chinatown Festivals' Facebook page over the next two months.
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