In a monumental celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), a massive community embroidery project has brought together citizens from all walks of life, resulting in an artwork that is expected to be a new national icon of unity.
The project was the highlight of the third edition of Qixi Fest, a flagship initiative by Bridging Generations Pte Ltd to revive and reimagine one of Singapore’s eight traditional Chinese festivals, the Qixi Festival.
| Project Statistics | Details |
| Participants | Over 600 individuals |
| Total Hours | Exceeded 10,000 man-hours |
| Event Focus | Qixi Fest’s 3rd Edition & SG60 |
| Organizer | Bridging Generations Pte Ltd |
The collaborative artwork was created over a period of months through numerous workshops held in diverse communities across the island. More than 600 participants of diverse ages and backgrounds contributed their time, dedicating over 10,000 hours collectively to crafting the individual embroidery pieces.
The immense tapestry aims to symbolise the rich, diverse, and intertwined social fabric of Singapore, with contributions coming from long-time citizens, new migrants, and expatriates. The Qixi Festival, also known as the “wish upon the stars festival” which celebrates skillfulness in the arts, provided the perfect theme for the ambitious undertaking.
Bridging Generations Pte Ltd, a heritage social enterprise, championed the project to not only commemorate SG60 but also to foster intergenerational bonding and cultural renewal. The initiative successfully showcased how traditional arts like embroidery can be a powerful medium for creating shared memories and connecting a modern society to its deep-rooted heritage.
The finished embroidery is set to be one of the most prominent artistic tributes to the nation’s 60-year journey, transforming hundreds of individual stitches into a single, cohesive masterpiece.
