Geylang Serai Dazzles with close to 50 Light Installations for Hari Raya Light Up 2019
May 17 2019 - 1:00AM
JCN Newswire
Geylang Serai will be bathed in a sea of colourful lights from 3
May to 16 June 2019 as Hari Raya Light Up 2019 returns with a
visual feast of close to 50 light installations.
Continuing the theme of "Celebrating the kampung spirit", the
annual event lines the streets of the Malay enclave with displays
inspired by Malay cultural icons and provides many opportunities
for community bonding. A reflection of Singapore's multi-racial
society, Hari Raya Light Up 2019 is a platform for Singaporeans of
all races to come together to celebrate each other's culture and
traditions. The well-loved Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai also returned
with over 500 stalls offering an abundance of traditional and
contemporary items.
Norami Aliza Haron, Chairman of the Hari Raya Light Up 2019
Organising Committee said, "Hari Raya is a major festival in
Singapore, and the Light Up brings Malays and non-Malays alike to
Geylang Serai every year. Beyond visiting the lights and bustling
bazaar, we encourage visitors to also learn more about the Malay
culture. Furthermore, with Ramadan being a time for family and
friends to gather, we hope to foster a shared sense of affinity and
belonging through the different community activities happening
through the month."
Ms Serene Tan, Director, Arts and Cultural Precincts, Singapore
Tourism Board, said, "The Hari Raya Light Up is an iconic event
that showcases the various aspects of Malay culture and tradition,
and brings vibrancy to the Geylang Serai precinct. Through the
event, we hope locals and overseas visitors will be able to enjoy a
rich cultural experience and better appreciate the Malay heritage
in Singapore."
Changi Road, Geylang Road and Sims Avenue embellished with iconic
Malay symbols
Stretching 1.8km along Changi Road, Geylang Road and Sims Avenue,
close to 50 light installations provide a grand entrance to Geylang
Serai and bedazzling photo opportunities for visitors.
The first 15.4m high main arch along Sims Avenue bears a mosque
featuring golden domes surrounded by full blooms that symbolise a
new beginning and renewed bonds of friendship and kinship. For
Muslims, mosques are an important part of their religion. During
Ramadan, Muslims congregate in these sacred buildings to perform
taraweeh, a special prayer that is only recited during the holy
month.
Another equally tall main arch along Changi Road reflects the
facade of a kampung house - signifying communal life, and family
and friends from different racial and religious groups coming
together to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa with love and joy - and
gendang, a traditional Malay drum. Hanging above is a
universally-recognised symbol of Islam, a crescent moon and
star.
As visitors move along the streets, they will be greeted by
sub-arches where a crescent moon and star feature as the
centerpiece, accompanied by full blooms in batik floral prints and
geometric patterns.
The main stage area at Wisma Geylang Serai, which is the main
location for weekly cultural programmes, is not to be missed too. A
kaleidoscope installation shaped like a star to guide visitors in
the darkness of the night will also feature along Onan Road.
Celebrating the kampung spirit with communal iftar sessions and
ketupathon
To encourage the gotong royong spirit, organisers of Hari Raya
Light Up have also planned for multiple iftar (break fast)
sessions, bringing residents and other members of the community
together for a meal at sunset.
Additionally, in line with its role as a social and cultural
heritage hub, Wisma Geylang Serai will offer a communal space where
families and friends can gather for their iftar.
As part of efforts to support members of the community with lesser
resources, a ketupathon will be reprised on 2 June 2019, where
participants will weave ketupat shells over 12 hours. The
ketupat-making session will round off with an auction, proceeds
from which will go to charity.
Cultural Heritage Race to acquaint participants with Malay
culture
In an effort to continue bringing greater awareness of the
tradition and practices of Hari Raya, the Cultural Heritage Race
will return on 18 May 2019.
That afternoon, teams of three - that include a non-Malay
Singapore-born citizen and a new Singapore Citizen or Singapore
Permanent Resident or Employment Pass holder - will discover
nuggets of information about Hari Raya and the Malay community in
Singapore, as they race around the Geylang Serai Heritage Trail and
other parts of the precinct.
In the spirit of celebration, male and female participants are also
encouraged to don baju melayu and baju kurung (traditional male and
female Malay attires) respectively.
Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai to delight visitors again
From 3 May to 5 June 2019, Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai will enliven
the areas around Engku Aman Road, Geylang Road and Tanjong Katong
Complex. There will be more than 500 stalls selling an even mix of
traditional Malay fare, accessories and household items, along with
contemporary snacks and lifestyle items. Additionally,
container-style shops with various themes and an outdoor dining
area with hanging lights will add a modern touch to the
crowd-pleasing market.
For more information about Hari Raya Light Up and its programme
listing, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/HariRayaLightUpSingapore/
For further media enquiries, please contact:
Nur Atiqah M. Hatta, Ninemer PR, atiqah@ninemer.com
Charlene Ho, Ninemer PR, charleneho@ninemer.com
Source: Hari Raya Light Up
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