Singapore's Chinatown to switch on 2300 lanterns for celebration of Mid-autumn Festival

Singapore's Chinatown will officially switch on 2,300 decorative lanterns in the heritage district to celebrate Mid-autumn Festival as well as the country's golden jubilee on Sept. 13, said the organizer at media preview on Wednesday.

Bearing a strong SG50 theme, this year's Mid-autumn celebrations, entitled A Golden Jubilee Mid-autumn, will commemorate the journey of nation-building with lanterns in 50 various types, such as Singapore's iconic architecture, the nation 's mascot Merlion, and Aranda Lee Kuan Yew, a kind of orchid named after Singapore's founding father.

"We will show the successful journey of Singapore, from past to the present, how Singapore becomes a metropolis from a third world country," said Lily Neo, grassroots adviser of Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens' Consultative Committee (KA-KS CCC).

According to KA-KS CCC, this year is the first time that the organizer have worked closely with students and faculty of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) for a creative interpretation of the street lanterns and decorations.

Lily Neo said that the organizer is delighted to be able to create opportunities for youths in Singapore to be more involved in the Chinese traditional festival and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage.

Besides the official Opening and Light Up Ceremony, KA-KS CCC has also organized an array of exciting events and activities, namely, Chinatown 1960s Fancy Dress Contest "Mid-autumn Festival 2015 - Back to the 60s", Lantern Painting Competition, Heritage Walking Trail, Nightly Stage Shows, Mid-autumn Festival Street Bazaar and the annual Mass Lantern Walk.

The public can enjoy the beauty of these specially designed lanterns for nearly one month, starting from Sept. 13 to Oct. 12.