Bishan residents unite once again to decorate their block for Year of the Snake
The lift lobby of Block 219 Bishan Street 23 has once again been transformed into a festive haven, as residents celebrate the Year of the Snake.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the block has rallied together to deck out their shared space in style, fostering community spirit and celebrating tradition.
After over a decade of simpler decorations handled by one family, residents began a block-wide effort in 2022, aiming to lift spirits after Covid-19, shared Stomper KG Tan, one of the residents.
Since then, their Chinese New Year decor has become a neighbourhood attraction, drawing visits from Member of Parliament Gan Siow Huang, as well as families from nearby areas, eager to snap photos and soak in the festive atmosphere.
This year, however, the scale of the decorations has been scaled back due to ongoing upgrading works under the Housing Board's home improvement programme (HIP) and other renovations.
"Despite this, 15 families, including retirees and members of minority races, eagerly contributed funds, and the block's resident calligrapher prepared a pair of chun lian (spring couplets) for the occasion," the Stomper said.
The couplets translate to: "The golden dragon holds a pearl and bids farewell to the old year" and "The silver snake spits out treasures to welcome the New Year".
Volunteers led by residents Phillip, Rosie, and their three daughters worked tirelessly to put up the decorations.
"Our salute to them for all their hard work!" Mr Tan said.
The scaled-back decor proved to be a thoughtful decision, as some adults and children expressed unease with snake motifs, walking quickly past the lift lobby.
"Our apologies to those who felt uncomfortable," said Tan.
Despite this, the decorations continue to bring joy, particularly to the preschoolers at the block, who often stop by with parents and teachers to learn about the significance of the chun lian and other festive symbols.
The initiative has become more than just a visual treat-it embodies the kampong spirit, fostering connections among residents and visitors alike.
"Here's to more smiling faces and a continued kampong spirit among our residents," said Tan, hopeful that this tradition will thrive in the years to come.
