Bonjour, everyone!
This year, I traded the sunlit, laid-back streets of Sydney — where life slows down after Australia Day as everyone eases back into work — for the electrifying buzz of Singapore during Chinese New Year. It’s my first time experiencing this celebration here, and magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe it!
The funny thing is, it was nothing like I expected. I thought there would be a few festivities here and there, but I quickly realized that Chinese New Year isn’t just an event — it’s a full-blown transformation. The city doesn’t just celebrate; it pauses, reshapes, and breathes the festival. For nearly a week, everything revolves around it. In short, Chinese New Year is woven into the very fabric of the Lion City.
But what actually happens? Honestly, it’s something you have to experience to truly understand. Let me try to paint a picture: the city is bathed in glowing orange hues — not just from the sunsets, but from the endless mandarin and orange trees adorning streets, homes, and shops. Here, oranges are more than just fruit; they’re symbols of good fortune and prosperity. The tradition is to exchange them in pairs — because luck is always better when shared. Even the local Catholic church joins in, blessing these oranges in a special ceremony. How great is that?
Chinese New Year is all about new beginnings, prosperity, and joy. People smile and chat with me all the time — on the escalators, in the supermarket, in the lift. Everyone is warm and welcoming, insisting I feel at home in Singapore. I’ve been offered mandarins and oranges, and with nothing to give in return but my thanks, I’ve felt quite embarrassed! Near Bugis, I pass a small Chinese tea shop every morning. The lady who runs it doesn’t speak English, and I don’t speak Mandarin, but over the last couple of days, we’ve started communicating through hand gestures. Yesterday, she offered me some tea, and in our silent — but lively! — exchange, I mentioned feeling warm. She smiled and recommended something for hot flushes. What can I say? Menopause is universal! We had such a laugh, and now I’m trying to learn a few Chinese phrases — so next time, maybe we can talk without the hand signals!
If you ever visit Chinatown during this season, Pagoda Street is a must. The market is alive with energy, selling everything from intricate traditional decorations to quirky modern gadgets you never knew you needed. I’ve bought lucky cats for the whole family — it can’t hurt, right? And the puppet shows? They feel like stepping into a time machine — history coming to life with every flick of the puppeteer’s fingers.
One thing I haven’t tried yet? Durian. Let’s just say…the smell alone has been deterrent enough!
Of course, no celebration is complete without food — and in Singapore, food isn’t just food; it’s an art form. Supermarkets are overflowing with festive delights: nian gao (sticky rice cake that promises a better year ahead), yu sheng (a colorful raw fish salad you toss high into the air for prosperity — hilarious to watch, by the way), and bak kwa (sweet, smoky barbecued pork jerky that’s addictive). If you’re lucky enough to be invited into someone’s home, prepare for a dumpling feast — because here, dumplings symbolize wealth. And the more you eat, the richer you’ll be! Naturally, I’ve embraced this tradition… I’ll go for a run later, right? And if tradition is to be believed, I should be very prosperous this year because, let’s just say — I really stuffed my face. (Not very French of me, I know!)
One of the rituals I love is the giving of hongbao — red envelopes filled with crisp, new banknotes. It reminds me of our French Christmas tradition of exchanging gifts, except here, it’s all about fresh cash tucked into elegant red packets. And don’t even think about using old, wrinkled bills — only new notes are allowed! It’s all about starting the year with freshness and good energy.
Obviously, I also need to mention the dragon and lion dances, because they are among the most iconic and culturally significant performances of Chinese New Year. And believe me, they’re everywhere. As I write this, I can hear the drums rolling every few hours from my balcony… Dragons symbolize abundance and fertility. The lion represents courage, stability, and superiority. Each lion dance involves two performers — one for the head and one for the body — moving and jumping in perfect sync. Both dances are believed to chase away evil spirits and bad luck, ensuring a prosperous year ahead… with a lot of noise!
Beyond the food, colours, and festivities, there’s a deeper spiritual meaning to Chinese New Year that I’m just beginning to grasp. It’s a time for renewal and reflection, for sweeping away the misfortunes of the past year and inviting in prosperity. Families reunite, honour their ancestors, and prepare their homes for a fresh start. It reminds me a little of our Day of the Dead in my native Provence, but with far more colour, warmth, and optimism.
Sitting here, soaking in the laughter, the traditions, and the sea of red lanterns, I can’t help but feel a deep connection between my own culture and this incredible celebration. There’s something so universal about welcoming new beginnings and sharing joy. And I have to say — I’m in awe of the energy and kindness I see everywhere.
After eight years in Australia, where celebrating Australia Day had become controversial and identity politics dominated conversations, this feels like rediscovering pure celebration. In London, the closest comparison was Guy Fawkes Night, but I always felt a bit excluded — after all, he was a Catholic, and hating the French is in the British DNA! Here, though, there’s no division. Everyone comes together. You don’t need to be Chinese to enjoy Chinese New Year, because here, everyone is proud of their city-state.
So, Happy Chinese New Year to all! May your year be as bright as the lanterns, as abundant as the oranges, and as sweet as nian gao. Here’s to new adventures and even greater prosperity ahead!
