JOINT NOMINATION FOR THE INSCRIPTION OF CHINGAY ONTO THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY BY MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

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Photos: Chingay as practiced in Singapore, and Johor Bahru and Penang in Malaysia respectively. (Credits: People’s Association; Office of Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy – YB Wong Hon Wai; Persekutuan Tiong Hua Johor Bahru)

Malaysia and Singapore are working together on a joint nomination to inscribe “Chingay: a street parade that showcases multiculturalism, traditions, and artistic displays of communities” on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in end March 2025. This is the second time Singapore is jointly nominating an ICH element with Malaysia.

This joint nomination underscores the significance of Chingay as a unifying celebration of shared history and culture across both countries. In Singapore, Chingay was initiated in 1973 and has since became one of the largest annual events to this day, while in Malaysia, Chingay is practiced in the cities of Johor Bahru and Penang as important multicultural events, both of which feature creative floats and performances featuring various cultures.

With deep roots in the cultural history of both Singapore and Malaysia, Chingay remains a parade that reflects the dynamism of Singapore’s multiculturalism, tradition, arts, and culture, resonating across diverse ethnic communities.

The nomination file submitted to UNESCO will include:

the official nomination form;
a set of 10 photos representing how Chingay is practiced and safeguarded in Singapore and Malaysia;
letters of consent and support from community representatives from Singapore and Malaysia;
a video featuring the consent and support for the nomination by community members from Singapore and Malaysia;
a 10-minute video on the joint nomination of Chingay to provide the Evaluation Body and the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the ICH, which will be assessing our submission, a better understanding of how Chingay is practised and safeguarded in Singapore and Malaysia.

UNESCO will evaluate the nomination file collectively submitted by Singapore and Malaysia and a decision on the nomination will be reached in end 2026, at the earliest.

Join us in our efforts to prepare the joint nomination of Chingay for the UNESCO Representative List by:

Pledging your support on the microsite and/or
Share on Facebook or Instagram a photo or video that captures your experience with Chingay using the hashtag #ChingaySG.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CHINGAY

Find out more about Chingay in NHB’s national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Chingay’s official website.

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More details on the multinational nomination are available in the media release.

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