Mass Wedding in 100-year-old temple - Weekend Snapshot #12

花好月圆庆元宵
百年古庙结良缘

100 year-old Thian Hock Keng Temple

The last day, or 15th day, of Chinese New Year is Yuanxiao Jie. It is a festival that celebrates reunion and heritage with tang yuan (glutinous rice balls). It is also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day. To promote Chinese culture, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan held a mass wedding ceremony on this day at 100 year-old Thian Hock Keng Temple.

The Hokkien clan association which runs the temple, wants to bring back mass wedding ceremonies after an absence of almost half a century. It is supported by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports and Singapore Tourism Board. Telok Ayer Street was converted to a street festival ground.

From 1956 to 1960, Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan held group wedding ceremonies at its temple, but stopped them after it became compulsory for couples to register their marriages.

A Mass Wedding Ceremony in 1960 organised by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan then.

The Hokkien Huay Kuan attracted 39 couples for this event, 6 newly-weds and 33 married couples who renewed their vows.

In the past, each couple paid S$30 to take part in the association's mass wedding events, now couples pay at least S$168.

Couples can expect a weekend hotel stay, a buffet reception for 20 guests and a travel voucher. They can also opt for a S$388 package which includes photography, costumes and make-up.

The ceremony commenced with the grand entrance of 39 brides' in trishaws!

Couples who are interested in the Mass Wedding Ceremony next year, can contact Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. I'm considering. Sponsors?? ..... hehe...

为了庆元宵，传承及推广华人传统文化，福建会馆与天福宫在正月十五元宵节（2008年2月21日）举办一系列的节庆活动。天福宫特别开放至晚上10时，直落亚逸街也张灯结彩,并于街旁设周边活动增添喜气，如传统手工艺品（捏泥人、剪纸、书法示范等）及小吃摊位（汤圆、麻薯、香炸虾枣、美香封肉、红烧扣肉、鱼鳔羹等）、赏花灯、猜灯谜、舞台表演等活动。

其中最具特色的活动是会馆首次在元宵节举办的“集体婚礼”。活动主宾为社会发展、青年与体育部政务部长符喜泉女士。活动获社会发展、青年与体育部 - 社群传统文化津贴基金赞助及新加坡旅游局支持。

福建会馆想要把几乎绝迹半个世纪的“集体婚礼” 带回今日。从1956 年到1960 年, 新加坡福建会馆在它的寺庙举办了多场集体婚礼, 但在政府规定夫妇必须登记他们的婚姻之后，就停止了这项有意义的活动。

福建会馆今年举办的“集体婚礼”吸引了39 对夫妇；6对新婚佳偶和33 对已婚夫妇。

以前, 每对夫妇只需支付S$30参加这项 活动, 现在每对夫妇需付至少S$168 的费用。

费用保括周末旅馆住宿、一场20个客人自助晚餐和旅行礼卷。如果夫妇选择S$388配套，它包括婚照摄影、服装和化妆。这实在是一个好玩， 有纪念价值又划算的活动！要不是我晚了一步， 我一定会参加！

有兴趣参加明年的“集体婚礼”的夫妇, 可与新加坡福建会馆联系。我正在考虑，是否要参加 。

有赞助商吗?? ... 嘻嘻...

Weekend Snapshot