Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry Ms Low Yen Ling,

Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award Judging Panel Chairman Mr Lim Jim Koon,

Board Directors of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre,

Friends from our arts and cultural community,

Ladies, gentlemen,

And all viewers watching our livestream,

Good evening and welcome to the Opening Ceremony of Cultural Extravaganza 2025 and the presentation of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award or SCCCA.

Allow me to start by congratulating this year’s SCCCA recipients.

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) introduced the SCCCA in 2017 to recognize the efforts by individuals and organisations who made outstanding contributions to the promotion, enrichment and development of local Chinese arts, culture and heritage.

Our individual recipient for SCCCA 2025 is Mr Quek Ling Kiong. Hailed as the “People’s Conductor”, he has more than 25 years of professional musical experience under his belt. I believe he is no stranger to most of us here and his passion for conducting knows no bounds.

Besides being the Principal Conductor of Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Music Director of Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra, he is steadfast in bringing music to all. Through innovative programmes and storytelling, people from all walks of life across all ages have since come to experience the charm of Chinese orchestral music.

As Artistic Director of The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra, Mr. Quek also championed cultural inclusivity by nurturing musicians with and without disabilities, thereby setting the foundation for a more inclusive arts scene. Congratulations to Mr Quek Ling Kiong once again!

Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society is our organisation recipient for SCCCA 2025. Established in 1971, the society is dedicated to the preservation and development of three traditional Chinese art forms, namely seal carving, calligraphy and ink painting.

While the society started out as a platform for creation and exchange between artists at founder Tan Kian Por’s residence, it has since transformed into a reputable player in the local arts and cultural industry today. Congratulations to Siaw-Tao!

Over the years, SCCC has collaborated with both recipients to bring exhibitions and performances that showcase the beauty and vibrancy of local Chinese arts and culture to the public and I am touched to see their efforts pay off.

Last but not least, I would also like to extend my gratitude to judging panel Chairman Mr Lim, and members of the judging panel for their hard work in making the final shortlist.

I am also glad to announce that nominations for SCCCA 2026 are now open and I would like to call upon our friends from the arts and cultural sector to nominate deserving individuals and organisations for this award.

Let me now continue in Mandarin.

首先，我要再次恭贺今年新加坡华族文化贡献奖的两组获奖者——郭勇德先生和啸涛篆刻书画会。

除了每年颁发新加坡华族文化贡献奖，中心也致力于通过像“华彩”这类的文化艺术节，为本地艺术和文化团体提供支持。

正因如此，我们才会在中心年度文化盛典“华彩”的开幕礼上相聚一堂。

以“敬本土 • 展艺术”为主题，观众即日起至6月7日将能欣赏中心和不同本地艺术文化团体携手呈献的10项精彩节目。

今晚的开幕礼有别与往年，开幕演出将会由不止一场，而是三场“华彩”的节目精选组成，让大家大饱眼福。

首先，去年贡献奖-团体奖得主，九年剧场，将以《家囝(读音:简)成厨》揭开序幕，在一家经营了三代的潮州餐馆里探讨文化、美食和传统的碰撞。

之后，LOVE 972 DJ们将上演《LOVE穿越时空》舞台剧。这场充满欢笑的演出将带领观众穿越时空，重现《白蛇传》和《梁山伯与祝英台》等民间传说的经典人物，以及他们穿越到现代新加坡所遇到的种种情境。

压轴演出则由去年贡献奖-个人奖得主，严众莲女士，带领聚舞坊呈献《舞◦宫◦格》。这场前所未有的视觉飨宴巧妙地运用儿时熟悉的九宫格游戏，探索舞蹈与九种不同艺术类别交错融合的表演，包括粤剧、娘惹服饰、摄影和投影；让现场和线上的各位，来一场感官体验。

“华彩2025”也首次纳入适合家庭和小孩观看的免费演出，让他们在中心广场通过多感官的戏剧演出、舞蹈和讲故事活动接触本土华族艺术和文化。

中心和新加坡华乐团去年推出“文化巨人”的合作新系列，聚焦文化奖得主的作品。今年，我们将向已故的杰出书法家和画家林子平先生致敬。

最后，我谨代表新加坡华族文化中心和我们的伙伴们，希望大家喜欢我们策划的节目。同时，我也期待与大家加深合作，共同为新加坡打造一个更加多元丰富的本土华族艺术和文化前景。

谢谢！