Multi-Racial Dumpling Celebration

31 May 2009

The Dragonboat festival is held on the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar. In Singapore, probably due to it being a paradise for food lovers, we call it Dumpling Festival. It is held to commemorate a mythical figure - Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan lives in the state of Chu, in the Warring States Period of the Zhou Dynasty. When he opposed his king's intention to ally with the state of Qin, he was sent to exile. 28 years later, the state of Qin invaded the state of Chu. In despair, Qu Yuan jumped into the Miluo River.

The celebration started with Karaoke singing at 9am. The dumpling demonstration also took place concurrently. The picture below shows the H-dumpling which signifies Harmony.

The Guest-of-Honour for the event is Mayor Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and MP for Aljunied GRC. He was accompanied by Mdm Cynthia Phua, Chairman of Aljunied Town Council and MP for Aljunied GRC.

After their arrival, I commenced the gameshow with a 9-question quiz for participants to know more about the festival. 

I had a capable assistant to help me issue out the prizes and he did a great job. He's none other than Hock Rong, who is always present at our events. This is despite the fact that he was just discharged from hospital 2 days ago.

Each participant was entitled to a dumpling and green tea. Mayor and grassroots leaders also made Muah Chee for everyone.

Together with grassroots leaders, Mayor Zainul and Mdm Cynthia Phua also went on stage to sing 2 songs - 朋友 (friends) and 爱拼才会赢 (ai bia jia eh yia). That totally hyped up the residents.

This is Mayor Zainul's last day serving as the Mayor of North East CDC District. Before he left, he led everyone in a cheer:

Eunos... Huat Ah!
Aljunied... Huat Ah!
Singapore... Huat Ah!