MM Lee opens river hongbao for year of the rabbit
Soaking in the festive cheer last night were (from left) SPH chief executive Alan Chan; MP Seng Han Thong, chairman of the carnival's organising committee; Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew; and Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was the organising committee's adviser. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was guest of honour at last night's opening of the River Hongbao 2011 carnival to herald the Year of the Rabbit.
Walking past floats that resembled carrots at the Marina Bay promenade, he was greeted by children dressed in rabbit and tiger costumes as he made his way to the floating platform. After a fireworks display, Mr Lee and the 10,000 guests watched a short film on how reunion dinners have evolved, an interlude by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, a dance by performers from Nanjing dressed as bunnies and a Taiwanese techno-dance group.
The carnival runs until Feb 13, and offers a daily mix of food, fun and performances from noon to 11.30pm. Admission is free. But tonight will see a special event - a concert to count down to Chinese New Year, with more fireworks.
The event organisers are Singapore Press Holdings, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, the People's Association, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Tourism Board.
Mr Lee praised last night's performances, and through his press secretary Yeong Yoon Ying wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year.
ELGIN TOH
Soaking in the festive cheer last night were (from left) SPH chief executive Alan Chan; MP Seng Han Thong, chairman of the carnival's organising committee; Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew; and Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was the organising committee's adviser. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was guest of honour at last night's opening of the River Hongbao 2011 carnival to herald the Year of the Rabbit.
Walking past floats that resembled carrots at the Marina Bay promenade, he was greeted by children dressed in rabbit and tiger costumes as he made his way to the floating platform. After a fireworks display, Mr Lee and the 10,000 guests watched a short film on how reunion dinners have evolved, an interlude by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, a dance by performers from Nanjing dressed as bunnies and a Taiwanese techno-dance group.
The carnival runs until Feb 13, and offers a daily mix of food, fun and performances from noon to 11.30pm. Admission is free. But tonight will see a special event - a concert to count down to Chinese New Year, with more fireworks.
The event organisers are Singapore Press Holdings, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, the People's Association, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Singapore Tourism Board.
Mr Lee praised last night's performances, and through his press secretary Yeong Yoon Ying wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year.
ELGIN TOH
