Living in Singapore Magazine - November/December 2023

Page 50

The Colors of Singapore: The Annual Rituals and Festivals on the Island By Asif R. Chowdhury During various times of the year, parts of Singapore are lit up in bright lights and brilliant colors, celebrating the multicultural and multifaith heritage of the city-state. With a population of about six million people, cultural and religious diversity is one of the key hallmarks of Singapore. Regarding ethnicity, about 75% of the population is Chinese, 14% Malay, and 9% Indian, and the balance consists of various other groups of people from different parts of the world. The country is equally diverse from its religious standpoint – about 31% of the population is Buddhist, 19% Christian, 16% Muslim, 5% Hindu, and less than 1% of the population is Sikh. In comparison, 20% of the people do not identify with any particular religion (based on 2020 census data). The country’s true hallmark lies in how all these people from different cultures, religions, traditions, and ethnicities peacefully coexist on this tiny island. The dates of most of the key religious celebrations are part of national government holidays. Eight of the eleven public holidays are related to various religions and cultures. Just go through the list of the official holidays in the calendar year to get a feel for these celebrations of diversity. Many festivals and celebrations are rooted in the different

religions, while some are more cultural. The following section provides a list and a brief description of some of the more meaningful, fun, and colorful festivals celebrated in Singapore. New Year’s Day: The year starts with the countdown leading to the New Year, followed by a mesmerizing fireworks display across the island. As the clock strikes midnight on the first day of January, the new year is welcomed with a bang. The best and most well-known public event takes place by the waterfront: The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown and Fireworks. There are also pockets of festivities in all the popular spots, such as Clarke Quay, the famous shopping strip of Orchard Road, Siloso Beach Party at Sentosa Island, and Boat Quay, as well as in other popular party spots in Singapore.


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