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Reflections: Family Feast of Lanterns 2003
September 20 Saturday, year 2003 is now etched
on our memories forever as the day our Feast of Lanterns met
heaven’s test in the form of a thunderstorm –
and boy! did it rain – sure it did! But the remarkable
testimony of the occasion – yes, the storm raged and
the clouds rained from morning, through the entire afternoon
and towards the evening – yet it didn’t ruin the
day – for suddenly, just about an hour before the official
opening time of our Feast, the rain stopped to our great relief
!
The Family Feast of Lanterns light-up ceremony
proceeded as planned with our Guest of Honour, the Mayor of
Northeast CDC, Mayor Zainul Abidin Rasheed officiating and
presenting prizes to winners in this year’s Family Lantern
Making Competition. Eight happy families won for themselves
prizes either in cash sponsored by Northeast CDC, or in supermarket
vouchers being consolation prizes sponsored by NTUC Fairprice.
What really was most encouraging was the
families kept coming to Pasir Ris Beach for the occasion even
in the midst of heavy rain – they came bringing their
“homemade family lanterns” to display at the Feast
while others came to view the lanterns, to support their friends
competing in the competition and to celebrate the Family Feast
of Lanterns 2003.
A total of 289 creative handmade lanterns
of all designs, shapes and materials were on display - including
paper, cloth, foam, paper plates, recycled cartons, tissue
boxes, waterbottles, straw baskets – and even vegetable
strainers and parking coupons! What a visual feast to delight
the creative imagination!
Besides this rich visual feast, the audience
was also treated to delightful music and dance performances
on stage - including the music of the Chinese “erhu”
to a duet on violins and finally the soothing heavenly music
performed on the harp most unforgettably!
As the presenter of this Feast, we couldn’t
have asked for more considering the heavy tropical thunderstorm
! The weather was beyond anyone’s control and therefore
a few regrets naturally: especially regret that several of
our programmes like “Storytelling Under the Stars”
on the beach and the Lanterns Procession had to be shelved
that evening simply because we had to admit the ground and
climate made it most unattractive to proceed as planned.
Clearly, the storm didn’t dampen human
enthusiasm for the Family Feast of Lanterns. Not just the
competitors but even the spectators, helpers, volunteers,
organisers and their families there on Pasir Ris Beach Park
stood firm on their feet right throughout - even when their
feet met the soggy ground by the end of the day and with their
toes bathed in mud and slosh, you can observe their eyes just
lit up as they feast upon the beautiful lantern creations
and clever ideas the lantern-makers came up with.
Thankfully most of the lanterns too held
together and very few did break apart during the time of our
exhibition. However, when the Feast ended at around 10.30
pm and we took down the lanterns, we found to our regret that
many of the lanterns did finally fall apart as they were drenched
and soaking wet through and through by then !
This year is the second year of Family
Feast of Lanterns but the first time we met the challenge
of the weather. During our first year, the 2002 Feast we were
blessed with a clear, sunny day. This time was a totally different
experience. What’s going to happen for 2004? We promise
more exciting features to come and promise to look for a covered
venue - having learned not to take chances with our uncertain
weather !
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| First prize Family Love Lantern |
First prize Cross-cultural lantern |
Family Feast in action |
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| Lanterns of Hope by Changi Prison
inmates |
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| Lanterns of Hope by Tampines Prison
inmates |
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Lanterns
of Hope
From 1 August - 20 September, starting with
as little as $4 donation, students and teachers can sponsor
a HOPE LANTERN and the funds will go to a number of charities.
Prison inmates, residents and friends of the charity homes
will be making Hope Lanterns in this charity drive. In this
world, there are assortments of lights: many dazzle like fireworks
or shooting stars that thrill but for one moment. In supporting
Lanterns of Hope, YOU ARE a light that warms and glows !
By giving your donation from $4 upwards
you have put a light in the heart of one or more of this group
of friends of Lanterns of Hope from the Changi Prison and
Tampines Prisons who have pledged to put their hearts and
hands to produce Lanterns of Hope and they want to do all
this to support our two welfare beneficiaries namely, the
home for the elderly sick, Peacehaven Nursing Home who are
contributing in the making Lanterns of Hope and the children
of the Pasir Ris Family Centre, a Good News Community Services
Centre.
Please make out your donation
cheques to either:
Peacehaven
Nursing Home
or
Good
News Community Services Centre
and
Mail
cheques to:
Family Feast of Lanterns
151 Chin Swee Road #02-28 Manhattan House
Singapore 169876
So remember the date: September 20 at Pasir
Ris Beach Park at Carpark E off Elias Road to celebrate with
Lantern Procession along the Beach Walks, Storytelling Under
the Stars. Free admission to the Beach Party and other attractions.
Final Results of the nationwide LANTERNS
MAKING COMPETITION will be announced on the same evening and
winners receive their prizes.
Family Feast of Lanterns 2003
registration forms are available at CCs, schools and on website
www.bones-n-flesh.com . You may email through the website
or if you wish to get more details
Tel : 6 250 2162
Fax: 6 251 3579
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