Chingay 2018: Expressing through Culture

THE STORY OF CULTURE IN PERFORMANCES: The annual Chingay parade consists of performances and items that have multiple cultural and traditional elements in them, these elements can be often seen in the performers’ costumes and performance make-up. PHOTO: Keith Heng

Brightly-coloured and high-spirited performers and floats paraded down the streets of Singapore while onlookers watched in awe and glee. On 23rd and 24th February this year, the street performances of Chingay 2018 filled the atmosphere with their multi-cultural themes, celebrating the diverse culture of multi-ethnicity in Singapore throughout the years.

The theme behind Chingay 2018, which is ‘Cultural FUNtasy’ aims to provide audiences with engaging items and performances, giving more opportunities for audience participation throughout the parade. The theme proved to be significant for this year’s Chingay parade as participants will showcase their creative talents and engage audiences along the parade route at the same time.

Not only would Chingay 2018 feature multi-ethnic, cultural performances by both local talents and international acts, but also elements in popular culture and entertainment.

MODERN POPULAR CULTURE: Besides traditional themes being articulated in the performances in Chingay Parades, this year’s parade featured acts that consisted of elements from today’s popular culture as well. PHOTO: Keith Heng

Such elements include performers who were all dressed up as fictional characters from all sorts of entertainment around the world. One such example of the many performing groups to be featured in the parade is the dance troop from Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS). The dance troop from MDIS will have their own contingent for Chingay 2018, due to winning the ‘Outstanding Display’ Award from the previous year.

“The name of our Contingent is called ‘Creative Youths’ because youths are the hope for the country and the more energetic.” expressed Ms Cindy Wang, the choreographer for MDIS.

The dance item to be showcased by MDIS will bring about the meaning of being young and energetic which therefore brings hope to the country. Ms Wang has also added a touch of hip-hop to the choreographies to further accentuate the meaning behind the dance item as her background was being a hip-hop dancer.

“As my background is a hip-hop dancer, most of the steps added are from hiphop.” Stated Ms Wang.

Beyond the aim to bring out the message of the dance choreographies across to the audience, the hip-hop essence in the choreographies helps to bring out elements of popular culture as hip-hop moves and dance styles are prominent and popular among many people. Having an item like this one may help to broaden the definition of culture as something that could be shared as a community rather than just sticking to the traditional performances based on our country.

Chingay Parade is known to be the largest street parade in the whole of Asia. As different themes influenced the parade’s performances throughout the years, this year’s theme proved to be a prominent one due to the diversified meaning to what culture could mean in many different contexts.

CULTURAL BLENDS: Performers from both traditional and modern showcases alike gave their all in representing the cultural elements in their performances and their places in our diversified nation. PHOTO: Keith Heng

Not only will this year’s street parade feature floats and performances from various traditional, ethnically-themed groups but also cosplayers, martial arts groups and even performers on vehicles ranging from hoverboards to cars.

This year’s Chingay parade will bring a new meaning to culture by showcasing performances loosely tied to both traditional culture and popular culture, making the parade a diversified event of cultural showcases.