[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – River Hongbao will be held at Gardens by the Bay this year, in an unprecedented move to ensure the safety of visitors amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The festivities will begin next Wednesday (February 10) and will last until February 16.
An iconic part of Chinese New Year celebrations, River Hongbao began in 1987 and was previously held at The Float @ Marina Bay.
While live performances are canceled this year due to secure management measures, festival goers can still expect prerecorded dance and getai performances.
“After extensive deliberation, planning and consultation … we are confident that we have implemented strong security protocols,” said Tan Ai Hock, chairman of this year’s River Hongbao organizing committee.
The event is free, but with a ticket, as part of the crowd control measures.
As part of the festival, 24 sets of lanterns shaped like peacocks, butterflies and the 12 animals of the zodiac will light up Gardens by the Bay.
Located primarily in Supertree Grove and The Meadow, they include the centerpiece: an 18-meter-tall display of the God of Fortune alongside a gold ox, gold coins, and dollar bills.
There will also be a floating lantern display on Dragonfly Lake with spring flowers and butterflies.
Another set of lanterns, the Wishing Well, pays homage to the Chinese New Year tradition of tossing coins for good luck. All proceeds raised will be donated to charities.
“While this year’s edition has been scaled down in line with the quiet celebrations, we hope the occasion still brings some joy and joy to our community,” said Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh.
To view the lanterns, the public will need to reserve a time slot on the River Hongbao website. Slots will be released in batches starting February 3 at 11AM. M.
Up to 2,000 visitors are allowed per time slot, which lasts 90 minutes or two hours. Up to four people can be registered per booking.
Visitors will be assigned to one of the three entrances to the gardens to avoid crowds.
“More than 100 volunteers, safe distance ambassadors and uniformed auxiliary police officers will be deployed to avoid overcrowding,” the River Hongbao organizing committee said in a statement.
While overseas dance companies were a highlight in past editions of River Hongbao, Singaporean artists will take center stage this year.
Several prerecorded performances will be screened each evening on a stage set up at Gardens by the Bay. They will also be streamed live on the River Hongbao website and Facebook page for those at home to enjoy.
An exhibition on the history of lion dance in Singapore will also be on display.
Curated by the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, the exhibition includes artifacts dating from the 1950s.
River Hongbao is organized by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clans Associations, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Singapore Press Holdings Chinese Media Group, the Singapore Tourism Board and the People’s Association.
[ad_2]
