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Gardens by the Bay’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival is back, celebrating traditions and nostalgia in grand style. The festival opened with a stunning lighting ceremony led by Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee, who lit up a two-storey tall nostalgia-themed lantern set designed by popular local illustrator Lee Kow Fong, also known as Ah Guo.
Floating on Dragonfly Lake, the “Celebrations (同欢童乐蜻蜓月)” lantern set beautifully combines over 23 elements of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, including vibrant cellophane lanterns and iconic old-school treats like gem biscuits and piggy biscuits. Drawing inspiration from the nostalgic playtime of yesteryears, the festival features nine intricately designed lantern sets and the largest-ever Flower Carpet. These displays evoke memories of Singapore’s past, such as the Dragon and Pelican playgrounds, and five-foot ways, offering a nostalgic journey for older visitors and a historical discovery for the young.
Minister Lee also flagged off a Mass Lantern Walk, leading members of the public who carried lanterns featuring Ah Guo’s signature characters, alongside a vibrant dragon dance troupe towards Supertree Grove. There, he joined local mayors and community members to place the final touches on the Flower Carpet, marking its grand opening to the public. The Flower Carpet, designed to evoke childhood play, features vibrant chrysanthemums and Singapore’s iconic Dragon Playground, creating a multi-sensory experience for visitors.
In a first for the festival, Ah Guo’s illustrations have been transformed into three-dimensional lanterns. His signature characters Kiddo, Momo, and Xiao P, along with a new character, Bin Bin, have been brought to life in various lantern sets. Highlights include “The Shophouse (骑楼下的中秋)” at Golden Garden, inviting visitors to stroll past traditional shophouses, and “The Dragon Playground (童年游乐场)” at Supertree Grove, which also serves as a stage for free cultural performances on selected weekends.
Other sets, like “Wishes Beneath the Moonlight (大嘴鹈鹕的美好世界),” feature beloved playground icons from Singapore’s past.
For those curious about how other cultures celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the “Joyful Childhood Memories: Folk Games from Korea (快乐的童年回忆：韩国民间游戏)” set, presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, offers a glimpse into Korean traditions. Additionally, fans can spot Ah Guo’s illustrations adorning a special MRT carriage, bringing the festive spirit to the city’s everyday commute.
From 4 September to 22 September, festival-goers can win exclusive Ah Guo merchandise, such as tote bags, pouches, and stickers designed especially for this event. To participate, post a photo of your favourite lantern set on Instagram, tag @gardensbythebay, and use the hashtags #MidAutumnGBB, #MidAutumnFestival, and #gardensbythebay, explaining why you love it. Don’t miss the chance to meet Ah Guo on 17 September for a special meet and greet session, where you can have a lantern signed by the artist himself!
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay is not just a visual feast but also a celebration of heritage, community, and the timeless joy of gathering with loved ones. Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh hopes the displays will spark cross-generational conversations as families share their experiences of past and present, creating new memories together. Be sure to visit and experience the nostalgia firsthand!
For more information, visit Gardens by the Bay’s Mid-Autumn Festival 2024.
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