Look forward to an exciting line-up of family-friendly workshops, tours and activities at the Wan Qing Festival of Spring!
Venue: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327874
Date: 11 Jan - 13 Feb 2022
Fee: Free (unless otherwise stated)
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall with Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2022. From the annual thematic installation to lion dance workshop and craft activities, here's a look at the onsite and online programmes that you can expect.
Nian Hua: Of Deities, Guardians and Auspicious Art Special Exhibition
Nian Hua: Of Deities, Guardians and Auspicious Art showcases Lunar New Year prints, known as nian hua from different parts of China. Nian hua are woodblock prints that have been used to decorate Chinese homes for the Lunar New Year for centuries, and provide insights into the attitudes and values of the Chinese community.
The exhibition examines a lesser-known aspect of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, and represents an international collaboration (with the Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing, China).
Onsite Programmes
Festive Installation: Blessings Come A-Knocking
Date: 11 Jan - 24 Jul 2022
Time: 10 am - 7 pm
Extended Opening Hours: 10 am – 9 pm on 28 – 30 Jan, 1, 2, 12,13 Feb 2022
Titled “Blessings Come A-Knocking”, this lawn installation is a collaboration between the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and artist Ng Tik Ka (Tik Ka From East), a Hong Kong artist, illustrator and designer. It features two of the artist’s artworks “Eat Good West” and “Big War” and showcases his signature style of depicting familiar pop culture figures in the traditional style of new year prints.
This installation represents the memorial hall’s wish for protection against the trials and tribulations brought about by the pandemic for Singapore, and personal protection for Singaporeans against the COVID-19 virus. It also embodies their hope to enjoy more healthy and prosperous years, and gives thanks as Singapore continues to persevere on its path to live with COVID-19.
Lunar New Year Red Packet Giveaway
Date: 15 Jan - 2 Feb 2022 (closed on Mondays)
Time: 10 am - 5 pm
Did you know that you can collect specially designed red packets from museums and galleries across Singapore?
The process to redeem the limited edition SYSNMH red packets is free and simple. All you have to do is visit the Memorial Hall from 15 Jan to 2 Feb 2022, follow the SYSNMH Facebook page and flash the page at the reception counter. Redemption is limited to the first 50 visitors per day and available whilst stocks last.
Auspicious Lion Dance Performance
Date: 1 Feb 2022
Time: 10 am - 11 am
Revel in the festivities and usher in the Lunar New Year at the memorial hall with the annual lion dance performance on the first day of the Lunar New Year!
God of Fortune
Date: 1 Feb 2022
Time: 10 am - 11 am
Rub shoulders with the God of Fortune for an auspicious year ahead! The God of Fortune will be at the memorial hall and giving away sweet treats for a bountiful year.
Letterpress Printing Workshop: Red Packets
Date: 12 Feb 2022
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Fee: $10/pair (tickets)
Print your own red packets with this letterpress printing workshop! You will get to learn more about the process and history behind letterpress printing in Singapore, get hands-on with a proofing press, and experience the traditional woodblock printing technique.
Festive Chinese Drums Workshop
Date: 12 Feb 2022
Time: 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm & 4 pm - 5 pm
Fee: $8/pax (tickets)
Drum up a storm in this energetic musical workshop – team up with your child and learn basic drumming techniques used for Chinese percussion instruments and experience a variety of rhythms and beats.
Children’s Lion Dance Workshop
Date: 13 Feb 2022
Time: 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm & 4 pm - 5 pm
Fee: $8/pax (tickets)
Get into the festive spirit with this interactive children’s lion dance workshop that promises unforgettable fun for the whole family! Limber up with a series of full-body stretches, learn basic dance movements from expert instructors, have fun trying on miniature lion dance costumes, and discover the origins behind this well-loved artform. The workshop is recommended for children 5 years old and above.
Lantern Making Workshop
Date: 13 Feb 2022
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Fee: $10/pair (tickets)
Learn the basics of lantern decoration through printmaking and enhance your understanding of Chinese culture through this workshop. Design, paint, and print patterns to create your very own lantern with Jimm Wong, one of the last few traditional lantern makers in Singapore making Fuzhou and Cantonese-style lanterns.
Storytelling Sessions: Tales of Spring
Date: 12 Feb (Chinese) & 13 Feb 2022 (English)
Time: 11 am - 11.30 am & 1.30 pm - 2 pm
Be swept away by enthralling tales about the myths and legends behind well-loved Chinese stories as local authors and veteran storytellers bring you on a literary adventure. Each storytelling session will feature a different story. Admission is free, though do note that spaces are limited.
Drop-in Craft Stations
Date: 12 - 13 Feb 2022
Time: 11 am – 11.30 am, 12 pm – 12.30 pm, 1 pm – 1.30 pm, 2 pm – 2.30 pm, 3 pm – 3.30 pm, 4 pm – 4.30 pm
Get hands-on and have fun designing your own Lunar New Year-themed souvenir to bring home. The drop-in craft stations are open to both the young and old!
Special Exhibition Guided Tour
Date: 12 - 13 Feb 2022
Time: 10.30 am – 11.30 am (Chinese) | 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm (English)
Delve into the world of nian hua, woodblock prints used in the past to decorate Chinese homes for the Lunar New Year with a guided tour of the Nian Hua: Of Deities, Guardians and Auspicious Art special exhibition.
Permanent Galleries Guided Tour
Date: 12 - 13 Feb 2022
Time: 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm (Chinese) | 3 pm – 4 pm (English)
Join a guided tour and hear the stories behind this century-old villa that trace Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities in Southeast Asia. Gain valuable insights on the impact of the 1911 Revolution on Singapore, as well as Singapore’s contributions to the Revolution.
Touring Temples: Legends and Artforms of Door Gods
Date: 12 Feb (English) & 13 Feb 2022 (Chinese)
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Fee: $15/pax (tickets)
An integral part of traditional Chinese culture, the figures known traditionally as “door gods” can be seen on the double doors of homes, temples, and other buildings. Join this exclusive tour to explore three local Chinese temples (Hong San See, Wak Hai Cheng Bio, and Thian Hock Keng Temple) to see the door gods found within them and learn more about the legends and artforms behind these door gods.
Online Programmes
Lion Dance Livestream
Date: 1 Feb 2022
Time: 10 am - 11 am
Usher in the festivities from home and catch a livestream of the annual lion dance performance on the first day of the Lunar New Year on the memorial hall's Facebook page.
Hu虎-at Greeting Instagram Filter
Date: 28 Jan - 13 Feb 2022
SYSNMH's vibrant tiger mascot is all geared up to greet everyone this Lunar New Year but there's one step left to complete the greetings and it's up to you!
All you have to do is blink to capture the festive greetings with SYSNMH’s Instagram filter. Take a screenshot of the completed Lunar New Year greeting and present it at the memorial hall's front desk to redeem attractive prizes, while stocks last.
Face-changing Performance
Date: 12 Feb 2022
Time: 12 pm
Get up-close with a face-changing performance, and marvel at the skills and artistry behind this ancient art. Get a glimpse of the Chinese deities and guardians featured in the Nian Hua: Of Deities, Guardians and Auspicious Art special exhibition. You can then visit the memorial hall to learn more about these mythical and legendary figures.
Image credits Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
