S'pore & M'sia to jointly nominate Chingay parade for Unesco cultural heritage list in Mar. 2025

Singapore and Malaysia will nominate the Chingay parade for UNESCO's representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in March 2025.

According to a press release on Nov. 5, the National Heritage Board (NHB) said that the nomination was jointly decided as there are "Chingay-practising communities" in Singapore, Penang and Johor Bahru.

It will also commemorate the 60th bilateral anniversary between the two countries.

Opportunity to promote cross-cultural exchanges and collaborations

In the press release, NHB said that the Chingay festivities reflect the shared heritage of Singapore and Malaysia.

It added that Chingay celebrates Singapore and Malaysia's connected cultures, and continues to be actively practised in both countries.

The nomination also serves as an "opportunity for Singapore and Malaysia to promote cross-cultural exchanges and collaborations".

Chosen by Singaporeans for its "multicultural nature" and "familiarity"

The joint nomination marks Singapore's third UNESCO nomination and second multinational nomination to the list.

According to NHB, the Chingay parade was one of the top ICH elements chosen by Singaporeans for future nominations due to its "multicultural nature and familiarity to Singaporeans".

Engagements done by NHB with the public from 2021 to 2022 also revealed that Singaporeans recognised that UNESCO ICH inscriptions helped promote Singapore’s culture to the world and deepened a sense of pride, identity and belonging to Singapore.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Edwin Tong said: "It is meaningful that the joint nomination of Chingay in Mar. 2025 would be part of the commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Malaysia bilateral relations. Chingay Parade, as practised in Singapore, reflects our multicultural and diverse society."

He expressed his hopes for more Singaporeans to support and attend the parade, as 2025 also marks Singapore's 60th National Day.

Chingay practices and nomination evaluation

Started in 1973, Chingay is deeply rooted in Singapore's history and now widely commemorated through a parade with elaborate floats, props and cultural performances.

In Johor Bahru, it is held annually and organised by the Johor Bahru Tionghua Association at the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple and held on the 21st day of the first month of the Lunar New Year.

In Penang, it is organised as a multicultural and secular performance by Penang Chingay Association in George Town.

Both parades often involve Chinese and non-Chinese communities.

Upon submission, UNESCO will evaluate the nomination file and focus on aspects such as how the nominated element is aligned with UNESCO's definition of intangible cultural heritage, safeguarding measures to promote the practice, and how nominating efforts have involved the communities in each of the participating countries.

The nomination result for the list is expected to be announced earliest by end 2026.

Top photos via Chingay Parade SG/Facebook