The Qixi Festival (七夕节), also known as the Double Seventh Festival or Chinese Valentine's Day, is a traditional Chinese celebration based on an ancient myth dating back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. The festival is based on the legend of the two star-crossed lovers, Niulang (Cowherd) and Zhinu (Weaving Maiden), who were deeply in love. However, their love was forbidden and they were separated by the Milky Way with only a chance to reunite once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
This festival, which was once grander than Chinese New Year, was brought to Singapore by Chinese immigrant women in the 19th century, but it faded in the 1970s. Traditionally, the Qixi Festival was an opportunity for women to showcase their needlework and other crafts, make wishes for better skills and brighter futures, symbolizing dedication to craftsmanship and the importance of skills. To revive and pass on this cultural tradition to the younger generations, the Qixi Fest was organized. This year marked the second edition of Qixi Fest, a significant celebration of our rich cultural heritage and traditions.
This year, the festival features a lineup of workshops, games and performances. I visited the Qixi Fest Village at Kreta Ayer Square with my mom and my girl. We received a Scavenger Hunt Passport, which required us to explore 8 different booths to collect all 8 stamps and redeem a limited-edition goodie bag.
At the first station, we all wrote down our wishes and hung them up. I guess my girl's wish was very practical! May our wishes come true!
Collected the Qixi water and also the second stamp.
Some of the fun booth activities and we ultimately completed the Scavenger Hunt Passport and collected the goodie bag.
Photobooth area and some performances.
It was a great family day out. After the event, we headed to my second favourite chicken rice stall, Heng Ji Chicken Rice at Chinatown Complex Food Centre for dinner. We used to visit this stall very frequently when I was young and I love the chicken rice there.
For more information, please visit: https://www.qixifest.com/
XOXO
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