At the opening ceremony, Zhang Huinei, Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, remarked that Singapore's Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian communities, along with people from around the world with diverse cultural backgrounds, have chosen to build, live, and face the future together. "This journey has never been an easy one."
Zhang Hui Ni said, "We have had differences, friction, and moments requiring mutual understanding and tolerance. But one thing has never changed: our commitment to each other, passed down from generation to generation. This is the Singapore we want to present to you today."
She emphasized that Singapore's diverse coexistence can be grand or humble—people from different backgrounds sitting together at a hawker center table, sharing a meal; exchanging sincere wishes during festivals like Deepavali and Hari Raya; and extending a natural hand across cultural boundaries. The "New Perspectives" exhibition aims to help everyone see these moments and hear the stories behind them.
More than 200 new Chinese-speaking figures from the cultural, political, academic, business, and media sectors attended the opening ceremony. Artusik and Xiangling Music Society presented musical performances, giving audiences an early taste of Singapore's multicultural charm.
Shen Jialu, a member of the China Writers Association and former senior reporter at Shanghai United Media Group, told reporters during the opening ceremony that he felt a deep resonance with Xiangling Music Society's Nanyin art. Although he is not fluent in Minnan dialect, he is familiar with its tonal patterns. "Spreading cultural exchange between China and Singapore through Nanyin feels very close to me," he said.
Shen Jialu said that Singapore and Shanghai share similarities in their multicultural, open-minded cultures that encourage innovation. Cultural exchange between the two cities flows seamlessly and is highly enjoyable.
The main events of the Singapore Culture Festival in Shanghai will take place on Saturday and Sunday (19th and 20th), while Beijing's program runs from next Thursday to Saturday (24th to 26th).
In addition to the Harmony Concert, the Cultural Festival will screen four acclaimed Singaporean films with international recognition, host a cultural symposium titled "What? Culture in Singapore?", and feature a culinary tasting event tracing the evolution of Singapore's history.