Chingay Reflection - Eun Chan

I think the purpose of Chingay 2016” Lights of legacy, Brighter Singapore” was to bring together people of all nations and races to put together a performance that has been celebrated in Singapore for decades. That day when I went with the school to see Chingay 2016, I saw many floats and much more people all dressed up in bright colors, waiting to perform for Chingay 2016. The costumes I saw on that day also consisted of different ethnic costumes from different countries to further emphasize the purpose of brining many people of different races to Singapore. The First Formal Chingay Parade in Singapore was mooted by the then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who was also the chairman of the People's Association. Chingay, with all its noise and gaiety, would compensate for the ban on firecrackers, a customary New Year practice to drive away evil spirits.
A lot has changed since the first Chingay as, now, technology had much development and Singaporeans improved the performance since it first started in 1973. I feel that the purpose of the first Chingay parade was merely just to compensate for the ban of firecrackers in Singapore. However, now, people celebrate Chingay to be a part of Singapore’s Chingay parade and to have a sense of belonging to Singapore. Many people of different races all participate actively in this parade as it has gained popularity over the years. The organizers definitely fulfilled the purpose of having people of all nations and races to participate in Chingay 2016 to make a brighter Singapore. I really feel that Chingay festival is a chance to bring Singaporeans and people of other nations together as one and hope that Chingay will continue to be alive among Singaporeans and even people from other nations.