Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean Launches SHHK 180th Anniversary Celebrations at Annual Spring Reception

Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (SHHK) today launched its 180th anniversary celebrations at its annual Spring Reception. Held at the SHHK Cultural Academy, the event saw more than 500 distinguished guests, including Minister Gan Kim Yong, SHHK Council and Honorary Council members, Members of Parliament, foreign dignitaries, business and community leaders, SHHK members, as well as teachers and students from the six SHHK’s affiliated schools, in attendance to usher in the Year of the Rat and witness the launch of SHHK 180th anniversary celebrations.

Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean graced the ceremony as the Guest-of-Honour.

Founded in 1840, Hokkien Huay Kuan, one of the oldest Chinese clan associations in Singapore, proudly commemorates its 180th anniversary this year. Following the launch, SHHK will be organising a series of celebratory activities leading up to a gala dinner and a two-day Singapore Hokkien culture and food festival slated for September 2020.

“Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, in its 180 years of development, partook in Singapore’s establishment and co-witnessed Singapore’s transformation from a colony to a prosperous and independent country! For 180 years, SHHK has upheld the hardworking and fighting spirit of Hokkiens. When faced with challenges, SHHK will always adapt, renew, improvise, improve and continue to strive for excellence,” said Tan Cheng Gay, President of SHHK.

SHHK 180th Anniversary Celebrations Logo Unveiled

Following a nation-wide call for logo designs late last year, SHHK received a total of 105 entries within a 2-month period. After 3 rounds of selection by SHHK council members, the design by SHHK member Xu Weijing, emerged the winner with his refreshing and modern take on the logo. Weijing, a senior cybersecurity specialist, is a self-taught designer.

“Being a Hokkien and a member of SHHK, I was excited to be able to participate in the logo design competition and be part of the 180th anniversary celebrations. My design was inspired by the shape of the Singapore Bicentennial logo,” shared Weijing. “The two arcs represent SHHK’s unity and continuity, befitting the theme of the 180th anniversary celebrations. I am just an amateur and thus I was most pleasantly surprised when I was informed of the results. I am really proud to be a member of the Singapore Hokkien community and hope to contribute more in future.”

SHHK President Tan Cheng Gay presented a cheque for $3000 to Mr Xu. The new logo design will be incorporated into all SHHK marketing materials and publicity collaterals in 2020.

SHHK Releases “Huat Kueh Boy” WhatsApp Stickers

In a bid to renew connections with youths and the young at heart, the 180-year-old SHHK also released a set of nine Hokkien-themed sticker pack with “Huat Kueh Boy” (Hokkien steamed cake) as the main character. “Huat” (发) means to prosper or to amass great fortune in southern Fujian dialect, and is the name of a steam cake made from flour, eggs, brown sugar and baking powder. The series of “Huat Kueh Boy” stickers depicted commonly known Singlish phrases like “pai seh” (pardon me), “bo jio” (did not invite), “ho seh” (good on you) which originated from southern Fujian dialect and integrated into everyday use by Singaporeans. The free stickers can be downloaded here.

Spring Reception is SHHK’s annual event aimed at connecting members and renewing shared ties amongst the Chinese clan associations, Chinese communities and business leaders. This year, in conjunction with SHHK 180th Anniversary Celebrations, 180 students from SHHK’s six affiliated schools were originally invited to join guests on stage to exchange greetings and share well-wishes for the new year. However, due to the latest MOE directive in view of the novel coronavirus situation, the students’ participation was cancelled as an additional precautionary measure.