Image adapted from: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and @faabhonbhisa
It’s the fifth month of the lunar year soon, and that means we’ll see our favourite pyramid-shaped treats strung up in stalls everywhere. And no, we’re not talking about onigiris but bak zhangs, stuffed glutinous rice dumplings that are loaded with chestnuts, dried mushrooms and shrimps.
While the Wan Qing Dumpling Festival 2018 has plenty of DIY bak zhang-making, it also has a lineup of fun activities for both kids and adults. Bring your families down to Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall from 16 to 17 June to paint your own paper kites, enjoy Chinese acrobatics, and learn photography tips from a photographer whose work on fighting fish went viral.
Here’s what else you can do at the Festival:
Image credit: @sherwincredible_
There won’t be any unicorn-shaped and rainbow-coloured foods at this Festival, but that’s not to say that you won’t be enjoying chowing down these old-school bites of bak zhang and scoops of traditional ice cream in flavours of red bean, yam, and sweet corn.
There’s also dragon’s breath candy, a sweet dessert that’s known for its dramatic puffs of smoke coming from the liquid nitrogen-doused crackers. Smoke will be coming out of your nose and mouth while digging in – much like a dragon!
Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
You’ll also be making your very own bak zhang at Memorial Hall, with all the tasty ingredients already provided. Learn how to wrap the rice in the leaves – there’ll be people there to guide you into wrapping it into a triangle, so don’t worry about wrongly making an oblong-shaped one.
Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Dig in – you’ve worked hard by meticulously wrapping and tying these triangular delights.
When: 16 – 17 June 2018, 11AM – 6PM
Admission: Free – available on a first-come, first-served basis
Now that you’ve made a few bak zhangs and eaten your share of good food, don’t think that’s all this Dumpling Festival has. There’s a Treasure Hunt for kids, where they’ll be making their way through different heritage points to learn more about Chinese legends and the myths surrounding fish in Chinese culture.
Kids can also join in a storytelling sesh or two to learn about their heritage – there’ll also be a craft activity for each. If that isn’t enough fun and games, then get an activity passport. Visit each of the different activity booths to make miniature clay figurines and join in a fishing frenzy game. You can also earn stamps by visiting each booth to receive a mystery gift.
Keep a look out for the live Siamese fighting fish contest, and you’ll get to see brightly-coloured fish display their beauty.
“Little Carp’s Adventure” Heritage Hunt (by ITE College Central)
When: 16 – 17 June, 10AM – 5PM
Under the Sea: Stories for Children (by Speak Good English Movement and Speak Mandarin campaign)
When: 16 – 17 June, English: 2PM – 3PM | Chinese: 5:30PM – 6PM
Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
With so many craft workshops happening at the Festival, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring home a handmade souvenir – the fact that you crafted it makes it all the more special. Design your own paper kite with brightly coloured dumpling and dragon motifs, or dangle your origami carp from its rod as you stroll through the stalls.
Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
If you’re not artistically-inclined, then the Creative Sand Art class is one where you can’t go wrong. Simply scatter sand into a template to create a colourful piece – one that you can proudly hang on your wall. There’s also a Chinese Fan Painting workshop that lets you paint and bring home your own fan that’s decked out with Chinese symbols of your choice.
At these workshops, it’s more than just taking home a souvenir: you’ll also be learning about Chinese culture every step of the way with heartwarming stories about Chinese pioneers and the different meanings of Chinese symbols. All workshops are suitable for every age, from toddlers to adults, and have free admission.
Festive Fun: Kite Painting
When: 17 June 2018, 1PM – 4PM
Festive Fun: Creative Sand Art
When: 16 June 2018, 1PM – 4PM
Interactive Craft Workshop by River Valley High School – Origami Carp
When: 16 – 17 June 2018, 3PM – 4PM
Chinese Fan Painting Workshop
When: 17 June 2018, 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Showing off his magic card tricks. Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
There are so many cultural performances here at the Dumpling Festival, so sit down and enjoy the stand-up comedies and magic shows.There’ll also be a flashy LED dragon dance, Chinese acrobatics, and a Chinese drums performance.
Before the show, look for the balloon artist: he’ll be making his way around to twist and turn balloons into crowns, swords, and flowers.
Evening Concert
When: 16 – 17 June 2018, 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Roving Balloon Artist
When: 16 – 17 June 2018, 11AM – 7PM
Image credit: @rute_angkata
You might not have heard of Thai photographer Visarute Angkatavanich, but his work went viral a few years back. His photos feature the fluttering fins of fighting fish – all captured in the moment for their vibrant colours and swishy tails. Although these fighting fish look difficult to shoot, you can learn from the master himself at the Wan Qing Dumpling Festival.
Besides learning useful photography tips by watching him shoot fighting fish, there’ll be a Meet & Greet session where you can purchase his book Betta Paradiso: The Art of Siamese Fighting Fish and also get his autograph. Another workshop will also be held where you can learn the basics of Portrait Photography – photographer Kai Tan will be taking the lead here.
Beauty of Betta Photography Workshop with Visarute Angkatavanich
When: 16 June 2018, 10:30AM – 11:30AM
Meet & Greet: 16 June 2018, 11:30AM – 12PM
Introduction to Portrait Photography
When: 16 June 2018, 11:30AM – 12PM
Image credit: Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
There’s plenty of free dumplings to nom on when you’re at Wan Qing Dumpling Festival 2018, but your family’s sure to enjoy the fun activities and workshops too. It’s held at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall where Chinese culture is kept well and alive – especially through the Festival’s modern-day rendition of dumpling-making, cultural treasure hunts, and tasty traditional foods.
Don’t miss the 3D Photowall on the way out – you can pose with life-sized dragons and dumplings, and remember your fun day out with free photo printouts.
Wan Qing Dumpling Festival 2018
When: 16 – 17 June 2018, 10AM – 9:30PM
Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874
Admission: Free
This post was brought to you by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
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