Chingay 2011: Photographs, Photo Story and More!

[Red Dot Photo]

Chingay 2011: Bigger than every before with more than 8000 volunteer performers, more than 2000 volunteer helpers and with an audience of more than 50,000 over two days, Chingay 2011 started off with a big bang on 11th February 2011. Here performers stretch out a 240meter long red fabric over the entire length of the performing area. This is the 38th year of Chingay organised by the People's Association.



Performers from several countries such as Mexico, Japan and China came over to add more colours and flavours to the multi-cultural street festival.


An entire segment was showcased with Malay cultural, arts and youth.


A walking man on steroids! Fireworks coming out of the back.

More photographs and stories to follow. Limited tickets are still available for tonight's show at the F1 Pit building.

Visit www.chingay.org or Countdown to Chingay 2011 for more details.

[Red Dot Photo]

Red Dot Photo was pleased to attend Singapore's annual signature and iconic cultural event, Chingay, on both 11th and 12nd February 2011. Started in 1973, this year's Chingay is bigger, brighter and better than ever. Attendees were wowed not only by the smashing parade, but by the pre-parade carnival, presentations and performances.



With a vibrant arts and culture carnival happening behind the pit building from 4 to 11PM on both parade days, spectators were treated to colourful exhibitions of art installations, performances and allowed to interact with cosplayers, magicians, balloonists and percussionists!



Young and vibrant: SIM's Incandescence dance group

The team had an opportunity to snap a few shots of the parade's performers as they zipped along Arts Street before the event, looking all dressed up and ready for the parade!

One of the main highlights of this year's Chingay are the two 88 metre long flying dragons from Shaanxi, China.


Main controllers of the flying dragons who ran along the parade ground and into the audience sectors, enabling audiences to get up close and personal with the dragons

Spearheading the parade and manuvered by a 13 person group each, the longest ever flying dragons were a brillant sight as they floated in the air, among the audiences during the parade's launching ceremony.


A walking gang of youths with the Harley Davidson bikes following closely behind

Another impressive display that followed tightly after the flying dragons was the parade of 52 Harley Davidson bikes and vintage cars. Driven by tough looking motorcyclists who call themselves the Harley-Davidson Brothers and accompanied by dolled up passengers, audiences were treated to a brillant spectacle of colour and action.


Not faltering from the firecrackers ban, Chingay showcased its determination to enhance the Chinese New Year festive mood with its Fire Cracker Dragons display, where a 40M long dragon with entwined mimic firecrackers was boldly exhibited.


Prosperity, Wealth , Longevity float by Tote Board Family, Singapore Pools Pte Ltd, Singapore Turf Club, Choy's Brothers Opera, Taoist Federation, BOW 2010 International BOW Committee


Another highlight of Chingay are definitely the floats. And as expected, all the floats this year did not fail to impress with its colourful varied displays, managing to capture the attention and imagination of audiences throughout the parade. Contributed by different organisations such as Resort Worlds Sentosa, People's Association Indian Activity Executive Committees Council, National University of Singapore, Indonesian Art and Culture Centre, The Japanese Association Singapore and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, among others, the variety of floats presented were nothing short of breathtaking.



A pretty and energetic cheerleader poses for the camera



Human pyramid formation before they threw her up into the air!


Taiwan's Shih Hsin University Cheerleading group also put up an amazing performance consisting of American-style stunts, throws, human pyramids accompanied by oriental music. The performers were especially enthusiastic and willing to pose for the camera as they cheered and performed their hearts out.


A performer from Fiesta Mexicana, showcasing Mexican culture and presented by The Embassy of Mexico in Singapore


As part of Segment 5 (Moves! Community, We Are One!), performers from different cultures, interest and community groups came together and wowed the audience with their dance moves, displays and costumes.


A People's Association youth dancer poses for the camera during their energetic dance segment


2000 People's Association Youth movement (PAYM) youths stormed the parade route and performed an energeised hip-hop dance routine as part of Chingay's finale. On top of that, their arms were also lined with LED light sleeves that enabled them to perform an interesting light dance segment in the dark.


A gaint scroll of calligraphy (translates to passing the light on), written by President SR Nathan was also hoisted up high above the skies as part of the grand finale.


The grandest spectacle of the ceremony, the release of sky lanterns by Chingay performers wrapped up the parade beautifully and brought home the smybolic message of this year's Chingay with the lamp passing ceremony from masters and seniors to the next generation. On top of that, Ms Teresa Hsu (Singapore's Mother Teresa)'s meaningful message, "Love All, Care for All" also evoked thunderous cheers and applause from the audience members.

Chingay 2011 was a brillant display of Singapore's multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan cultures. Here's looking forward to Chingay 2012!