Celebrate Chinese New Year: Reminiscing Chinese Roots

Every year during the Chinese New Year (CNY), various clan associations, guilds, social and religious organizations hold a range of cultural activities.  More importantly, family gatherings and human connections reaffirm traditions of respect for the elderly, caring for others and advocate etiquette.   Often times, CNY provides the occasion to reconnect with relatives and trace one’s roots.

Moderator:  Mr Liew Shin Liat – Mr Liew is a life member of GSS.  He has been a management consultant serving clients in Asia Pacific countries for over 35 years.

Speaker 1: Cyprian Lim – Mr Lim is the Honorary English Secretary of GSS, an independent researcher and a freelance English educator.  Mr Lim is the author of “My Maternal Roots: A Story Of Family, Faith And Freedom” – a book in which he pieced together fragments of family history and endeavours of his ancestors.

Content of the talk:

• Teochew lineage (PekNay village) and a Qing Dynasty scholar
• The Catholic faith, churches, towkay and priests (Catholic Mass during Chinese New Year)
• Joy of discovering ancestry during Chinese New Year

Speaker 2: Mr Ivan Ho – Mr Ho is President of Singapore Pawnbrokers’ Association.  He became the Chairman of Char Yong (Dabu) Association (茶阳 (大埔) 会馆) in 2013 to 2018. He became Chairman of Nanyang Khek Community Guild (南洋客属总会) in May 2018.

Content of the talk:

• Hakka Lineage and the Ho Family Tree.  The Round Building (Tulou)
• Festival rituals and the experiences of the Hakka clan & association.  Activities during Chinese New Year
• Hakka Food that bonds.  Special dishes for Chinese New Year

Speaker 3: Mr Jerome Teo – Mr Teo is the Assistant Honorary English Secretary of GSS. He is actively involved in various organisations in the fields of traditional culture, heritage, museums and clans.

Content of the talk:

• Family history:  Childhood memories of Sheng Hong Temple and maternal root tracing of Ann Kway Hokkien (Anxi Fujian) origin
• Sheng Hong temple activities and the Ann Kway community
• Hokkien customs, food and festivities.  Praying of Tai Sui during Chinese New Year

To attend the talk, kindly register by the latest 27 January 2022: https://forms.gle/jx96Kfns1MV5Mbb17

For enquiries, please call 96181003 or email kklee01@gmail.com.