A giant rooster-shaped lantern installed in Chinatown of Singapore (Photo: straitstime.com)Singapore (VNA) – It is still three weeks away from the Lunar NewYear but the island country of Singapore has been engulfed by a festiveatmosphere, with lion dances and colourful parades.
Activities to welcome the Year of the Rooster were officially launchedon January 7 with a ceremony to light up lanterns in the China Town. Theceremony was attended by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and many governmentofficials.
More than 5,500 lanterns in all shapes, from flower to chicken egg and rooster– the symbol of the upcoming lunar new year of 2017– illuminate the Chineseresidential area, attracting thousands of visitors.
To make the record number of New Year lanterns, 40 artisans have been invitedfrom China and worked for one month and a half.
The China Town is also decorated with a system of 13,000 LED bulbs ofall colours.
But the highlight of the area is a giant 13m high Rooster at the entranceof the town.
In the next seven weeks, a range of festive activities will take place,including the 10th international lion dance contest with theparticipation of 17 teams from 10 countries (Vietnam will be represented by twoteams), art shows every night, a street market with more than 400 stalls, and acountdown festival.-VNA
VNA
