Usher in the Year of the Horse and celebrate the coming of spring at River Hongbao 2014! Held at Singapore’s iconic Floating Platform @ Marina Bay and organised by Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Tourism Board and People’s Association, River Hongbao is proud to present yet another exciting event in 2014.
For 28 consecutive years, this annual iconic event has remained an integral part of Singapore’s Lunar New Year celebrations as River Hongbao presents a truly unique Chinese cultural experience for Singaporeans and tourists to titillate your senses. Building on the success of the past year, River Hongbao will welcome the Year of the Horse with celebrations extended over 11-days from 29 January to 8 February 2014. The River Hongbao is open to public and admission is free.
With larger-than life lantern displays, intricate handicrafts and crowd-pleasing performances featuring local and foreign performers from the region, be prepared to treat your senses to an extravaganza of lights, sights, and sounds this coming Lunar New Year.
Be dazzled by the wide array of exquisite handicrafts from China and satiate your taste buds with more than 40 sumptuous varieties of local and regional delicacies served at the largest outdoor Food Street in Singapore. A myriad of fringe activities, ranging from amusement rides to carnival games to Main Stage Performances, will also ensure that visitors are treated to non-stop entertainment for the entire family.
Performances by Yunnan Opera Theatre
Yunnan, a province situated at the crossroads of China, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stemming from more than 20 minority nationalities.
This year, River Hongbao will be partnering with the highly acclaimed Yunnan Opera Theatre (云南滇剧院) to showcase performances by Yunnan’s ethnic tribes, including the Yi and Dai Tribe. The Yunnan Opera Theatre has won numerous awards across China, including the prestigious Plum Blossom Awards (中国戏剧梅花奖). It has also performed in Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.
Lanterns, Chinese Gods and Legends
The much anticipated larger-than-life lanterns will light up the Floating Platform @ Marina Bay. These lanterns are specially hand-crafted on-site by craftsmen from the Sichuan province and will showcase familiar characters including the 18m tall God of Fortune, legendary heroes from “The Three Kingdoms” (Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Liu Bei) as well as the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Handicraft Street and Food Street
Catch ‘live’ demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting at the Handicraft Street. River Hongbao 2014 has also partnered the Yunnan Arts and Crafts Association to bring in an exciting selection of jewellery, ethnic costumes and cultural products.
Tantalise your taste buds with sumptuous varieties of Yunnan delicacies, including Yunnan’s famous over-the-bridge rice noodles, Pu’er tea flavoured drumsticks, spicy fishballs from Dali, Shangri-la vanilla rice and baked tea quail eggs, served at River Hongbao’s Food Street.
Popular local favourites such as Hainanese chicken rice, fresh durian pancake, barbecued squids and Katong laksa will also be featured at Food Street.
Opening Night and Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party
The River Hongbao 2014 Light-up Ceremony on 29 January (Wednesday), graced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will mark the beginning of the 11-day festivities accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. To usher in the Year of the Horse, Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, will grace the Chinese New Year Eve Countdown party on 30 January (Thursday) with yet another fireworks spectacle.
About River Hongbao (Spring Festival by the River)
The term “Hong Bao”, meaning red packet, is a monetary gift often associated with Chinese New Year. Symbolising good luck, what better way to usher in the Chinese New Year than at the River Hongbao.
Since 1986, the River Hongbao has been an annual Chinese New Year event that preserves and revives Chinese cultures and traditions. Since then, the event has been a compelling destination for the young and old alike.
To welcome the New Year, cultural collaborations between Singapore and China will treat you to an international line-up of performances by foreign and local artistes. Immerse yourself in rich Chinese cultural activities such as Chinese calligraphy and riddle games, or savour unique delicacies at the food street.
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