In the early days of my career, I had a hard time describing my work to my parents and relatives. With the job title “Programmer”, they inevitably thought I was an IT guy. Over the years, I would find opportunities to take them to performances and explain what I do. Today, my relatives not only attend Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, they are even more anxious than I to be the first to hear about the line-up! If there was a simple way to describe how this festival is put together, it is this: to connect top-notch performances and themes with various groups of people and their desires or needs. The 23rd edition of Huayi, held from 7 – 16 Feb 2025, reinforces the festival’s tenet to have something engaging and meaningful for everyone.

Our two productions in the Esplanade Theatre will appeal to anyone who loves a good story. Even though Lao She wrote the story of Rickshaw Boy in the 1930s, modern day rickshaw boys are everywhere – the ubiquitous food delivery guys on their bikes trying their best to make a good and honest living. Arriving in Singapore on the back of a hugely successful tour of major cities in China, Rickshaw Boy is helmed by award-winning director Fang Xu. And in acclaimed Taiwanese theatre company Greenray’s Human Condition VIII, the main protagonist dreams of winning the lottery – isn’t that a wish many people can identify with?

How does one stay active and mobile in the sunset years? What do friendships—or the dearth of them—look like? These are the themes explored in the dance production Dance with Me by choreographer Low Mei Yoke, recipient of the Cultural Medallion. These themes are also explored in Last Luncheon, the solo play directed, written and performed by Singapore theatre stalwart Alvin Chiam.

At a time where AI is poised to take over the world, traditions and how to keep them relevant are explored in three riveting music productions What is Qin by Zi De Guqin Studio of China, The Temple of Resonance by Taiwan’s Uni Percussion, and The Heart of Jun: Memoirs of Zhaojun by Singapore nanyin ensemble Siong Leng Musical Association in collaboration with Taiwanese director Lee Yi Hsiu.

Songwriters are the poets of everyday life. Huayi 2025’s in::music platform presents a bumper crop of excellent songwriters, beginning with Taiwan’s Golden Melody Award winner and indie darling ANPU, followed by Hong Kong’s Yoyo Sham, Taiwan’s GoodBand and Singapore’s Boon Hui Lu.

As for the little ones, don’t they love to be able to indulge to their hearts’ content in sweets, gummies and chocolates? Adapted from the tale of Hansel and Gretel, Candy House in the Mountain by Bon Appétit Theatre of Taiwan is a fusion of storytelling and foley. This production encourages children to listen to the Chinese language and the many sound effects, as well as to activate their imagination. Another storyteller who will have audiences eating out of the palm of her hand is Malaysian artist Cheryl Lee, well known across the Causeway for her hilarious brand of Cantonese stand-up comedy.

Aside from a wide spectrum of works that will move you deeply or have you rolling with laughter, Huayi also seeks to put the ‘festive’ in ‘festival’. Held during the Chinese New Year period every year, it gives us an opportunity to wish everyone who comes to Esplanade for the festival a bounteous year ahead, filled with luck, good health and prosperity. As producers and programmers behind the festival, we set the stage for celebration.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to our Principal Sponsor Knife Cooking Oil, Supporting Sponsor Berries 百力果 and Supporter Polar Premium Drinking Water.

Happy Year of the Snake!

Delvin Lee 
Senior Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd
Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts