OUR STORY
Qixi Fest
Reviving A Forgotten Festival
Qixi Fest (七夕乞巧嘉年华) is an initiative led by festival director Lynn Wong in collaboration with clan associations and community partners to revive Qixi Festival (七夕节) , one of Singapore's eight traditional Chinese festivals. Historically more elaborate than Chinese New Year, Qixi Festival has faded from celebration for over 50 years. This inaugural full-fledged edition reimagines and honours the beautiful customs passed down by our foremothers, blending heritage with fresh perspectives to bring the festival into the modern era.
A festival grander than Chinese New Year?
Why haven't I heard of it?
Qixi Festival, celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, is rooted in the myth of the Weaver Girl (织女, symbolised by the Vega star) and the Cowherd (牛郎, symbolised by the Altair star). Forbidden love kept them apart on opposite sides of the Milky Way, as decreed by the Jade Emperor. Each year on Qixi, they reunite on a bridge formed by magpies. This timeless tale of love, separation, and reunion has inspired the festival’s customs and cultural significance.
In Singapore, Qixi Festival was celebrated by our foremothers as early as the 19th century. Women formed sisterhoods known as Seven Sisters’ Associations or Milky Way Associations to mark the festival together. A key custom, Qiqiao (乞巧), involved wishing upon stars to enhance skills in arts like needlework. Public displays of intricate handicrafts, especially by Majies (妈姐) from the Shuntak region, were a highlight in Chinatown. However, these traditions faded in the 1970s as many Majies retired and returned to their hometowns.
Qixi Fest, also known as the "Wish Upon the Stars Festival," traces its roots to the Han Dynasty. Revived in Singapore, this vibrant celebration honours timeless traditions of craftsmanship, storytelling, and community spirit. Once regarded as more significant than Chinese New Year, Qixi Fest has been brought back to life through the efforts of dedicated cultural researchers and passionate advocates, bridging the past and present with creativity and purpose.
Traditionally, Qixi Festival provided a platform for women to showcase their artistry, express wishes for skillfulness, and celebrate bonds of sisterhood. Introduced to Singapore by Chinese immigrant women in the 19th century, it flourished as a grand annual event until its decline in the 1970s.
Qixi Fest returns with fresh interactive experiences and deeper community involvement. This year’s festival introduces a vibrant lineup of hands-on workshops, immersive games, and dynamic performances, ensuring both new and returning participants discover exciting ways to engage with this historic celebration of craftsmanship, storytelling, and sisterhood.
