The inaugural Hinghwa Food & Cultural Festival is set to open from 12 to 17 March 2024 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

The first-ever Hinghwa Food & Cultural Festival is set to open from March 12 to 17 2024 at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza in Orchard Road to celebrate and showcase the best of Hinghwa culture and heritage.

Mr Fong Chi Chung, President of Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network <方志忠, 新加坡莆仙同乡联合会会长> (right) and Mr Andrew Tjioe PBM, Vice President of Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network <周家萌, 新加坡莆仙同乡联合会副会长> (left)

With the primary goal of promoting and sharing Hinghwa heritage to the public, this six-day cultural spectacle will showcase captivating performances presented by Chinese acts who have specially flown in to participate, crafts by heritage brands and an array of authentic Hinghwa delights. The festival is organised by the Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network.

Enjoy the dynamic and lively performances presented by both Chinese and local artistes

Visitors to the festival can anticipate captivating and vibrant performances by both local and Chinese artistes. Specially arriving in Singapore for the occasion are the Putian Southern Temple Shaolin Monks and the Puxian opera troupe hailing from the reputable Puxian Opera Theatre (福建省莆仙戏剧院).

The Putian Southern Temple Shaolin Monks, with a history spanning over a thousand years, will showcase exhilarating martial arts performances filled with action and adrenaline. With a track record of performances in numerous countries such as Australia, Japan, India, and Spain, these monks are poised to mesmerise audiences with their remarkable martial arts prowess.

Another key highlight is the Puxian opera, a long-lasting art form with historical roots in the Tang and Song dynasties. The art form has gained widespread recognition across China, following the debut performance of《踏伞行》 (Ta San Xing), a Puxian opera, during the prestigious Spring Festival Gala 2023. Audiences can expect to catch an excerpt of《踏伞行》put up by the very same performers, Wu Qing Hua (吴清华) and Huang Yan Yan (黄艳艳), who performed on the Spring Festival Gala 2023. Huang Yan Yan is a renowned performer who clinched the distinguished Plum Performance Award for her performance in《踏伞行》. There will also be performances of other well-known Puxian operas such as《春草闯堂·抬轿》by actors from the Puxian Opera Theatre.

Other acts from China include:

• Huang Feng Rong (黄凤荣), a visual performing artist hailing from Fujian, China, who does live painting, will showcase his unique performance at the Hinghwa Food & Cultural Festival. He has appeared on multiple nation-wide programmes on television such as China’s Got Talent.
• Established calligraphers, Zhu Wenhong (朱文洪) and Huang Jiafang (黄加芳), who will showcase their expertise in Chinese calligraphy.

In addition to overseas performances, local singers of Hinghwa descent Joanna Dong (董姿彦) and Nathan Hartono (向洋), who both gained fame through Sing! China, will also be expected to enchant the audience with their hit songs during the opening day of the festival.

Other fringe performances include musical performances by the Singapore Putian Traditional Music (新加坡莆田十音八乐). The Puxian opera, Southern Temple Shaolin Monks and 新加坡莆田十音八乐 will be performed daily.

Indulge in the delightful tastes of Hinghwa culinary delights

Festival-goers can look forward to enjoy a diverse selection of more than 30 Hinghwa delicacies, desserts, and drinks made with the freshest and finest ingredients directly sourced from Putian, China. A must-try dish is the Fumao Pork Puff Pastry (复茂肉饼) by Fumao Bakery (复茂饼匠), a traditional bakery with a century-long legacy. The bakery has successfully preserved the authentic recipe of the Fumao Pork Puff Pastry for over a century. 

Attendees can savour unique Hinghwa offerings such as Pickled Olive Skewer 姜橄榄串, Tofu Meatballs with Pork Meat in Thick Soup 天九湾炝肉, and Oyster Cake 海蛎饼 and Hinghwa Red Rice Cake 兴化红团 that is filled with green bean paste, a symbolic treat traditionally enjoyed during festivities in Putian. Visitors will also be able to catch the complex process of hand-making these traditional treats on-site. These dishes are also rarely available in Singapore.  

An array of mouthwatering and authentic Hinghwa delights available at Hinghwa Food & Cultural Festival

Refreshment options include healthful choices like the nourishing Red Mushroom Tea (红姑茶) and the invigorating Bayberry Tea with Iced Berry Cubes (杨梅水). Crafted with expertise by renowned chefs from both China and Singapore, this culinary spectacle ensures an unforgettable and unique experience for visitors of all ages.

Hinghwa handicrafts and distinctive specialties to bring home

Festival-goers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and craftsmanship by exploring a diverse array of crafts and specialties available for purchase. The event will showcase esteemed brands such as San Fu Classical Furniture (三福家具), Four Nobles Classical Furniture (四君子), and Tian Zong (天纵), offering high-quality classical furniture crafted from timber sourced in Fujian. The allure of Hinghwa culture is further exemplified through the exquisite handicrafts and jewelry by 华昌珠宝, as well as the arts and crafts by 莆作. Ranging from intricately hand-carved furnishings to delicate jewellery and detailed artworks, attendees can truly admire the exquisiteness of Hinghwa craftsmanship.

Visitors can also explore an assortment of dried foods featuring renowned produce from Putian, providing them with the opportunity to bring a piece of Putian’s flavours to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. The selection includes dried longans, a diverse range of teas for a sensory refreshment, Pei Pa Koa (loquat paste), and preserved kelp.

Tickets Promotion:

Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network is launching a special offer for the sale of coupons. From now till 11 March 2024, receive an additional $20 worth of coupon with every purchase of $100 worth of coupons. 

Hinghwa Food & Cultural Festival

The festival is free for the public, and attendees will need to purchase coupons ($20 each) to redeem at food booths. Coupons are available for purchase at Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network at 87272510 or via email at [email protected].

For more information on the festival, please visit www.puxian.org.sg.

Dates/Time	12 – 17 March 2024 11am to 10pm
Location	Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

All images credit to Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network