DIGITAL CORPORATE CELEBRATIONS RED PACKETS • Corporate CNY celebrations are also • Instead of physical red moving online this year. packets, Singaporeans are Enterprising event planners have encouraged to give out • curated virtual celebrations, and e-hongbao this CNY to these packages offer services complement safe management like virtual lucky draws, measures. A Digital cultural performances • The Monetary Authority of and even virtual Singapore said this will enable performances. remote gifting across a variety These event planners typically of visitation practices, including • Year of the Ox manage the logistics for such virtual gatherings, and will also events, including providing reduce crowding at banks. a technical support team, • These e-hongbao come in This year’s (CNY) the equipment and a physical different designs depending on celebrations will be different with venue like a studio. the bank, and all funds are sent They also make arrangements via the instant transfer service infection control measures in place. • for virtual performances, and PayNow, which maps people’s Here are some of the high-tech ways offer pre-event virtual activities bank accounts to either their to usher in the new year. such as workshops or games. NRIC or mobile number. A performer doing the cultural dance • Basic packages can cost anywhere Bian Lian during a virtual corporate event from $2,000 to about $4,000. last Friday.

CHINGAY PARADE VIRTUAL LION DANCES • For the rst time in 49 years, • Some companies are also looking at the annual Chingay Parade will live-streaming lion dances for their go fully digital. The parade, usually virtual corporate events. held during CNY, will take place LO-HEI APPS • Event planners said companies on Feb 20 and will be aired on • While the shouting of auspicious phrases which still want to have a lion dance television, online, and on social performance can opt to have it media channels from 8pm to 9pm. during the customary tossing of – or lo hei – has been prohibited this year, in a studio or at the of ce.

• Technology will be used to a lo-hei app has arrived to ll the gap. • The performances can then be re-invent traditional ethnic live-streamed or recorded and performances during the Users simply tap their smartphone screens to get the app to shout on their behalf instead. played at the virtual corporate event. multiculturalism segment to • The Singapore Wushu & Lion highlight intricate details that • The original app, developed by IT consultant Dance Federation said there has been usually cannot be seen at Koh Beng Liang, is free and can be found at some interest in virtual lion dance physical parades. http://djbeng.com/lohei.html. performances, and has received about • The parade will also use There is also another version at ve to 10 inquiries so far from troupes, choreographed http://sgcny.limitedpax.com/louhei. schools and companies. computer-generated imagery to enhance dragon dance and pole act performances. FESTIVE GOODS • Vendors have taken to online platforms to RIVER HONGBAO & CHINATOWN STREET LIGHT-UP market their festive goods in hopes that this will drive up sales in the lead-up to CNY. • The River Hongbao event, which screened at the event. • Some 20 stallholders at Chinatown usually sees crowds ocking to the • Another iconic event that sees Complex selling food, decorations and Marina Bay oating platform, has large crowds is the Chinatown clothes have joined a pilot online store been moved to Gardens by the Bay CNY light-up. organised by the Chinatown Complex this year. • While the light-up will still go on Hawkers’ Association. • There will be no live performances, as planned, organisers have put in • Shoppers can order items on the e-store, but visitors can still look forward to place virtual tours of the area so and choose to collect them from pre-recorded dance and getai residents can opt to enjoy the Chinatown Complex or have them delivered performances, which will be festivities virtually. from Feb 1 to 10.

Sources: MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE, PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION, SINGAPORE FEDERATION OF CHINESE CLAN ASSOCIATIONS, JAMBOREE EVENT CONCEPTS, PARTYMOJO, CHINATOWN COMPLEX HAWKERS’ ASSOCIATION, KRETA AYER-KIM SENG CITIZENS CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, RIVER HONGBAO 2021 ORGANISING COMMITTEE TEXT: ADELINE TAN, LESTER WONG PHOTOS: ST FILE, UOB, CITIBANK, CHINESE MEDIA GROUP, RIVER HONGBAO 2021 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, JAMBOREE EVENT CONCEPTS STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS