The Chinatown Business Association proudly presents the fourth edition of the Five Footway Festival, running from 14 to 23 March 2025. This festival honours Singapore’s iconic five-footways and Chinatown’s rich heritage through immersive experiences, performances, and workshops. Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Association, Ms Lim Yick Suan shared, “The Five Footways of Chinatown are more than just physical spaces – they are a living testament to the rich heritage, resilience, and spirit of the community that have shaped Singapore especially as we celebrate SG60 this year. This year’s Five Footway Festival provides an opportunity to explore Chinatown’s vibrant past through engaging cultural experiences, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and tastes that bring Chinatown’s history to life.” TAKE A STROLL THROUGH HISTORY WITH CAPTIVATING WALKING TOURS This year’s Five Footway Festival invites visitors to explore the rich history of Chinatown through four immersive walking tours, each offering a distinctive glimpse into the district’s lively past and present. Among the highlights is the Chinatown Theatrical Tour – Letter Writer’s Lament, a storytelling journey that transports participants back to the 1940s. Led by Let’s Go Tour, winner of Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards and a finalist in the 2024 Singapore Tourism Awards, this experience follows the journey of Ace Wan, a young immigrant who found his calling as a Chinese letter writer. Through a blend of theatre and history, visitors will witness the struggles and aspirations of early immigrants, retracing the lives of early immigrants who once gathered along the bustling five-footways. “Under One Roof” – An Immersive Guided Experience @ Chinatown Heritage Centre offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Chinatown’s early residents. Housed within three shophouses, the centre recreates the 1950s interiors of its tenants, from family homes to tradesmen’s workshops to offer an authentic glimpse into the lives of Chinatown’s early residents. The OG Hustlers walking tour celebrates the resilience of Chinatown’s pioneers, who transformed its narrow five-footways into thriving hubs of trade and community. Step inside century-old establishments like Pek Sin Choon, one of Singapore’s oldest tea merchants, and beloved Cantonese pastry shop Tong Heng to uncover the enduring legacies of these family-run businesses. For those eager to explore beyond the heart of Chinatown, Hey Bukit Pasoh! The Vibrant Yesteryears takes visitors through the charming enclave of Bukit Pasoh. Discover hidden gems where the past and present of Singapore’s heritage scene come to life – from The Pioneers’ Memorial Hall (PMH), which honours the contributions of Singapore’s leaders, to the iconic filming locations of Crazy Rich Asians. A SPECTACULAR SHOWCASE OF CULTURAL PERFORMANCES Smith Street comes alive with vibrant performances at this year’s Five Footway Festival! Meet and Greet Stilt Walkers in traditional wear and be amazed by show-stopping Lion Dances from renowned and award-winning troupes, including Singapore Tian Eng Dragon & Lion Dance Centre (新加坡天 鷹龍狮学院) and Singapore Hok San Association (新加坡鶴山會館武術醒獅團), Singapore’s first lion dance troupe. DIVE INTO TRADITION WITH INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS Visitors can dive into the rich heritage of Chinatown through enriching workshops that highlight various aspects of its history and traditions. Food plays a key role in Singapore’s cultural identity, both past and present. In the Kaya Making Workshop, participants will learn step-by-step techniques to make traditional Gula Melaka Kaya. The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ang Ku Kueh workshop will provide insights into this iconic red pastry, allowing participants to make it the traditional way. The Teochew Png Kueh Masterclass offers a chance to learn the art of creating the beloved savoury glutinous rice cake. In the Get Prosperous with Egg Huat Kueh workshop, attendees will discover the history and varieties of Huat Kueh (prosperity cake) and learn to make traditional Egg Huat Kueh. The Chinese Kung Fu Tea Workshop provides hands-on experience in the art of Chinese tea, where participants will explore the cultural significance of tea and learn to brew and serve traditional varieties. FIVE FOOTWAY FESTIVAL: A FESTIVAL FOR ALL In collaboration with Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, and students from Hwa Chong Institution, the festival will showcase an exhibition entitled “The Warmth and Bustle of The Five- Footway”, which explores the history of the five-footways, including the trades, occupations, and recreational activities commonly found along these iconic walkways. Along Smith Street, visitors can also enjoy a Chinese Opera Roving Exhibition, as well as a Mini Food & Retail Bazaar, a Street Scene Photo Booth, and a Traditional Games Booth featuring nostalgic games such as pick-up sticks, five stones, marbles, and the eraser game – all taking place along the bustling Smith Street. On select days during the festival, insightful talks will delve into The Beauty of the Hokkien Language, alongside informative Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Health Talks led by Science Arts TCM Clinic, focusing on cholesterol levels and eye health. Admission to the Five Footway Festival is free. Tickets for selected workshops can be purchased from Peatix here. More information about the programme rundown and festival can be found on Chinatown Singapore’s website here. About Chinatown Business Association The Chinatown Business Association (CBA) has been a key player in preserving the cultural heritage of Chinatown while fostering a thriving business community. By building strong ties with stakeholders and the business community, CBA leads placemaking efforts that honour the past while looking toward the future, ensuring Chinatown continues to be a vibrant part of Singapore’s urban landscape.

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The highly anticipated Five Footway Festival is returning to Chinatown Singapore from 9 to 17 March 2024 with a host of fun and exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Organised by the Chinatown Business Association in collaboration with programme partners, the festival will take place at various locations in Chinatown where the streets come alive with the hustle and bustle of Chinatown in the 1900s. The Five Footways in Singapore is an integral part of everyday life of the community. In collaboration with Sun Yat-Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and students from Hwa Chong Institution, we embark on a journey into the history of the Five Footway, clans and associations, as well as related stories for Chinatown Singapore to create this unique exhibition for the festival. Gain a deeper understanding on the way of life, values, and traditions of our forefathers in Singapore’s Chinatown, and how the lives of early immigrants were centred at the Five Footway across trades, clan activities, cultural, arts and entertainment activities and beyond. Visitors to the festival can also register for Conserved Buildings in Chinatown, a walking trail by Do It SG to learn about the conservation of heritage buildings in Singapore, the history behind some of the oldest buildings in Chinatown and the activities that used to line the Five Footways. Revel in intricate stories of folktales at Joss Stick Storytelling and do not miss Tan Ah Huat in Chinatown, a theatrical walking tour by Let’s Go Tour that transports you back in time through the eyes of Tan Ah Huat, a Chinese immigrant from the 1920s as he shares the fascinating tale of Chinatown back in the early days of Singapore. Paying homage to its previous name Theatre Street or Hei Yuen Kai, Smith Street is set to enthral visitors to the Five Footway Festival with rich, cultural theatre acts across Cantonese opera, Teochew opera and Peking opera performances as well as the Hokkien puppet show. The festival will provide visitors with opportunities to pick up some of these traditional skills through various workshops and classes. Visitors can sign up for Colourful Dialects to create their own personalised idiom and slangs colouring book, while learning their meanings and how to use them. Alternatively, Ping Sheh’s Introduction to Peking Opera class and Yan Wong Cultural Troupe’s Kirin Workshop offer participants a fun and inclusive time to experience their music, movements and more. Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Association, Ms Lim Yick Suan shared, “The Five Footways of Chinatown hold a remarkable place in the heart of Singapore’s history. The enduring legacies of tenacity, hope and culture that have lined these Five Footways have continued to influence our lives today. Through the Five Footway Festival, we look to bring visitors of all ages to experience the lives of old Chinatown Singapore through sights, sounds and flavours, bridging the past to present, with interactive elements for all to try.” As the diversity and passion for food in Singapore continue to flourish through generations, come join us in uncovering traditional dishes in Chinatown Singapore’s. Discover the rich heritage of Hakka culture with Hakka Imperial Kitchen as they take you on a journey through the makings of Hakka rice wine and its exquisite flavours. Learn to make a traditional omelette toast, attend the Traditional Wedding Talk with AMD Wedding, and hone your culinary skills with Auntie Helen in her culinary class as she teaches Hainanese-style pineapple stir-fry pork rind and fried preserved beans with chicken. Let’s Go Tour’s Chef Colin will also be hosting Put Chai Ko Making Classes, a traditional Cantonese dessert that is known as red bean sweet rice pudding. It promises to be an educational journey that teaches patience and precision as you master the traditional techniques in handling the glutinous rice flour and balancing its flavours. Visitors to the Five Footway Festival, especially families with children, can enjoy childhood games together at Pagoda Street with the nostalgic can and ring toss, hoop wheeling, chapteh, zero point, and snakes and ladders. They can also munch on the much-loved traditional Singaporean snacks and biscuits, including Kacang Putih from stall vendors. Stilt walking Samsui women and khaki shorts policemen will be at the festival to meet and greet with visitors for photo taking opportunities. Other interesting activities include movie screenings, dragon dances, wushu and many more.  Admission to the Five Footway Festival is free. Tickets for selected workshops can be purchased from https://peatix.com/group/7133051. To find out more, visit the website https://www.chinatown.sg for more information.

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