(Singapore, 11 January 2021) “Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!” - kickstart the Year of the Ox with an auspicious greeting in not one, but six languages! The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s highly anticipated red packets return this year in the form of a “talking” red packet powered by Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Members of the public can also bask in the Centre’s festivities with Asia’s First Drive-Through Exhibition Moo Moo PARK, and a series of online programmes to spotlight the customs and traditions of Chines New Year. 

Mr Low Sze Wee, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre said, “Chinese New Year will be celebrated differently this year due to safe distancing measures. Nonetheless, we hope to take the opportunity to bring Singaporeans closer to our Chinese Singaporean culture, and invite them to immerse in our offerings as we usher in the Year of the Ox. As part of the celebrations, we are pleased to unveil our “talking” red packet designed in collaboration with local artist – Puffingmuffin, who has put a contemporary touch to popular Chinese New Year motifs. We hope that the red packet will provide an interesting entry point for the public to bond with their loved ones – whether it is through greeting their relatives in different dialects or experiencing the interactive AR features of the red packet with their family.”

Kay Poh Gek Vasey, Chief Connecting Officer, MeshMinds said, “Strength, resilience and diligence are some of the key qualities of the ox which we will need as we build back better in these challenging times. We are proud and honoured to work with Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to celebrate the Year of the Metal Ox. Using original artwork and interactive augmented reality technology from Facebook, we are featuring Chinese New Year greetings in various languages. This is a way to promote inter-generational bonding and preserve our cultural roots, which in turn can be a driver for sustainable development.” 

Experience AR with “talking” red packet and Asia’s First Drive-Through Exhibition

Working with creative technology studio MeshMinds, members of the public can learn more about Chinese New Year greetings by leveraging AR technology. Through scanning the QR code on the red packet, we will see artist Puffingmuffin’s whimsical artwork come to life in the form of an ox covered with popular Chinese motifs and hear Chinese New Year greetings in Mandarin and the five major dialects in Singapore (Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and Hainanese) - voiced by children aged between 7 and 11 years old. For more information, visit https://singaporeccc.org.sg/events/sccc-talking-red-packet-2021.

The public can also get into the festive moo-d with Asia’s First Drive-Through Exhibition, Moo Moo PARK! From 22 January to 28 March 2021, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, in partnership with The MeshMinds Foundation, will transform the Centre’s carpark into an immersive art experience that celebrates Chinese culture, as well as highlights the importance of sustainability. Featuring the works of eight local artists including Puffingmuffin, visitors will learn about the ox’s cultural significance, through an innovative blend of visual arts and AR technology. 

Challenge your knowledge of popular Chinese New Year greetings with the humorous 新年快乐: HUAT do I say? interactive video where you have to embark on a speed run to greet your relatives. The friendly and knowledgeable Kaki will also return to share interesting stories behind the festival, shedding light on some of our common beliefs and practices today. In another video of the Keeping Traditions Alive series, Eunice, from local artisan baker Baker's Brew, makes Ondeh Ondeh cookies with her mother to illustrate how Chinese New Year goodies are a product of cultural influences.

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