Come this February 7 & 8 February 2025, the Singapore Chingay Parade 2025 will grandly kick off at the Singapore F1 Pit Building featuring a troupe from Penang..
Penang’s State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy cum Chairman of the Penang Chingay Parade Organizing Committee, YB Wong Hon Wai, stated: “At this crucial juncture, where Malaysia and Singapore are jointly working towards nominating the Chingay Parade for UNESCO recognition, cultural exchange between the two countries is of paramount importance. Therefore, I have been invited to attend the Singapore Chingay Parade this year on behalf of the Penang state government. Accompanying me will be YB Wong Yuee Harng, the State Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota, YB Connie Tan Hooi Peng, the State Assemblywoman for Seri Delima, and Dr. Ming Chee Ang, the General Manager of the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), among others.”
“In addition to attending the parade, Penang has been graciously invited by the Singapore People’s Association, the organizer of the Singapore Chingay Parade, to send a contingent to participate. Therefore, in collaboration with the Penang Chingay Association, we have assembled a team of 20 elite performers to bring Chingay flags across the Causeway to showcase Penang’s magnificent Chingay flag performance, a remarkable intangible cultural heritage, at the 2025 Singapore Chingay Parade, an international celebration that combines culture and art, to engage in a culturally significant exchange.” said Wong in a press statement.
He also added that this year, the Singapore Chingay Parade features the theme ‘Joy,’ reflecting on their shared journey and experiences that transcend ethnicity, language and age, in a more festive, people-parade form of performance. This closely mirrors the Penang Chingay Parade, a grand annual event where people from all ethnic groups in Penang participate, regardless of race.
“Additionally, one component of it is to leverage on ‘Food’ to bring different groups together. Uniting the community, family and nation as we look forward to our shared future. To align with the theme of ‘Joy’, food and its other elements will permeate within the entire parade either through music, floats, costumes, props and choreography and across all Chingay-related programmes, blending food culture into the parade’s artistic expressions, creating a more approachable and resonant form of art.
Ong at 76-years is the oldest participant from Penang
“For this occasion, the Penang Chingay team will present two flags symbolizing the spirit of Penang. One of these is the ‘Poh Hock Seah’ flag, which carries the deep historical significance of Penang’s Chingay Parade. This flag highlights the parade’s long history, which dates back to the 1840s during the Penang Tua Pek Kong celebration, a festival closely linked to Poh Hock Seah. Furthermore, the 1905 Chingay Parade also included a spectacular Chingay flag performance, which was a highlight of the event.” He added.
He shared that at the same time, in response to the ‘Joy’ theme of the 2025 Singapore Chingay Parade, his office has specially designed a new flag that vividly showcases Penang’s unique culinary culture. The flag features some of Penang’s world-renowned dishes, including the fragrant char kuey teow, the rich and flavourful Nasi Lemak, the delicious Chendol, and the ‘King of Fruits’ – Durian.”
This new flag also prominently features the commonly used slogan in Malaysia’s effort to push for the Chingay Parade’s UNESCO recognition – ‘Road to UNESCO,’ along with the phrase ‘Joint Nomination of Chingay by Malaysia & Singapore,’ symbolizing the strong cultural resonance and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore,” Wong Hon Wai added.
With regards to the two flags selected for the 2025 Singapore Chingay Parade, Wong explained that the significance of these two flags, representing the rich past and the promising future of the Penang Chingay Parade, are a perfect balance of history and vision. One flag carries the brilliant ‘past’ of Penang’s Chingay Parade, while the other, crafted with creativity and ingenuity, represents the ‘future’ of the parade, highlighting the strong friendship between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the shared goal and vision of the two countries to get Chingay listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These two flags, heading to the Lion City, blend ancient charm with modern flair, continuing the legacy and paving the way for the future.
Wong Hon Wai also said, “Currently, the Chingay Parade’s UNESCO nomination is progressing. Penang, together with Johor and Singapore, is working together to nominate ‘Chingay’ to be inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Penang state government is collaborating closely with the federal government to continuously push forward this effort, ensuring that the Chingay Parade as an intangible cultural heritage is passed down through generations and brought to greater heights.”
Although the names of Chingay Penang, Johor, and Singapore are the same, while each region’s Chingay has its unique characteristics, there are also commonalities.
Wong Hon Wai stated, “Commonly, the Chingay Parades in Penang, Johor, and Singapore all feature vibrant performances, including lion dances, dragon dances, acrobatics, floats, and folk-art performances. In recent years, as cultural integration and modernization have progressed, the Chingay Parades in Penang and Singapore have incorporated modern artistic elements, such as various dances and light displays, blending tradition with innovation, creating a festive atmosphere that brings new vitality to folk art.”
He also pointed out, “In terms of presentation, Penang and Johor’s Chingay Parades are closer to traditional customs, with the parade procession winding through the streets, bringing the celebration directly to the people. In contrast, Singapore’s Chingay Parade is more modern, with a focus on stage performances, offering a more concentrated and visually impactful viewing experience.”
The Chingay parade boasts a history of over 100 years and is renowned for its thrilling and captivating high pole flag performances, with flag bearers performing intricate maneuvers with 32 to 40-foot bamboo poles, balancing flags on different parts of their bodies, creating an exhilarating and breathtaking spectacle.”
The Penang state government expresses its gratitude for Singapore’s invitation to showcase Penang’s high pole flag performances in the Lion City, sharing this valuable cultural heritage with Singapore’s friends and visitors from around the world who attend the Chingay Parade. Additionally, Wong Hon Wai extended his thanks to the members of the Penang Chingay team, stating that the flag bearers have wholeheartedly participated in this event during the festive season to present Penang’s cultural pride to the world.