シンガポール
常夏の国で体験する、华やかな旧正月
Experience the Vibrant Lunar New Year in a Land of Eternal Summer
厂惭颁颁オーバーシーズ?シンガポールの加藤です！
私は乐播传媒に入社して6年目、シンガポール赴任は1年目です。现在、当社で唯一の日本人スタッフとして、経理?総务?人事から工务、时には営业まで、幅広い业务を担当しています。
今回は、シンガポールの旧正月の様子をお届けします！
Hello, I am Kato from SMCC Overseas Singapore!
I am currently in my sixth year with the company and am honored to be serving my first year here in our Singapore office. As the only Japanese staff member on-site, I oversee a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, including Accounting, General affairs, and Administration. My role also extends to cost control and, on occasion, sales.
With the festive season upon us, I am excited to share some insights regarding the Lunar New Year traditions here in Singapore!
今年の旧正月は、2月17日と18日の2日间。クリスマスが终わると、街は一気に旧正月モードへ切り替わります。最初は日本と同じ1月1日のお正月の装饰かと思いきや、実は旧正月の準备だったんです！旧正月の约1か月前から街中に饰り付けが始まり、元日のあとも1週间ほど続くので、トータルで2か月近く祝祭の雰囲気が漂います。そして何より特徴的なのが、赤道直下の常夏の国ならではの「暑いお正月」。日本では絶対に味わえない、不思议な感覚です！
This year, the Lunar New Year fell on February 17th and 18th. In Singapore, the city undergoes a rapid transformation immediately following the Christmas season. Initially, I assumed the decorations appearing in late December were for the January 1st New Year, as is customary in Japan; however, they were preparations for the Lunar New Year.
With decorations appearing a month in advance and remaining for a week after the festivities, the holiday season spans nearly two months. Celebrating a 'tropical Lunar New Year' on the equator offers a vibrant, warm experience that contrasts sharply with the traditional cold New Year in Japan.
【Lunar New Year decorations at supermarkets and department stores】
英语で「Chinese New Year」と呼ばれるだけあって、街全体が赤を基调とした装饰で彩られます。华人文化の影响が色浓く感じられる光景です。特に盛り上がるのが中华街！旧正月の约1か月前から、きらびやかなイルミネーションやライオンダンス（中国の狮子舞）が披露されます。旧正月の2週间前に访れたときは、人、人、人！ライオンダンスには特に大势の観客が集まり、その迫力と华やかさに圧倒されました。
In Singapore, 'Lunar New Year' brings a wave of red decorations across the city, showcasing the deep roots of Chinese culture.
Chinatown is especially lively during this time. Starting about a month before the Lunar New Year, the area features dazzling light displays and traditional lion dance performances. When I visited two weeks before the holiday, the streets were incredibly crowded. The energy of the lion dance was especially overwhelming--it was truly powerful and beautiful performance to witness.
【Vibrant and dynamic lion dance】
旧正月の代表料理といえば、「鱼生（イーシェン）」。刺身と野菜を盛り合わせたサラダのような料理です。そして、この鱼生を高く持ち上げながら食べるのがシンガポールならではの食べ方で、「捞起（ローヘイ）」と呼ばれる伝统行事です。
「ローヘイ」とは、「下から上に持ち上げて投げる」を意味し、実际に、準备した食材を持ち上げて落としていきます。この时に、具材を高く持ち上げるほど幸运が访れると言われています。
One of the most iconic dishes of the Lunar New Year is Yu Sheng, a vibrant salad featuring raw fish and shredded vegetables. The local tradition of eating this dish involves a unique practice called 'Lo Hei.' Meaning 'to toss up,' participants gather around the table to lift and toss the ingredients high into the air with their chopsticks. It is believed that the higher the ingredients are tossed, the more prosperity and good fortune will come your way in the year ahead.
【We celebrate the New Year with "Lo Hei," a traditional event where everyone tosses Yu Sheng together】
当社のオフィスでは、毎年恒例の社内パーティーが开催されます。今年はランチビュッフェが用意され、みんなで「ローヘイ」に参加しました。会社の新年の繁栄を祈りながら、鱼生を高く高く持ち上げる瞬间は大盛り上がり！ローカルスタッフも日本人も関係なく、一绪に笑颜で新年を祝う时间は、とても温かく、印象に残るひとときでした。
Every year, our office hosts an annual Lunar New Year party, and this year's lunch buffet featured a lively 'Lo Hei' session. It was thrilling to see everyone tossing the ingredients high in the air, all sharing the same wish for the company's success in the coming year. Whether local, foreigner or Japanese, the opportunity to celebrate together was a warm and unforgettable highlight of my first year in Singapore.
常夏の国で迎える旧正月は、日本とは全く违った魅力がいっぱい。赤に彩られた街、賑やかなライオンダンス、そしてみんなで新年を祝う「ローヘイ」。シンガポールならではのお正月を、皆さんにも体験していただきたいです！
Celebrating the Lunar New Year in a tropical country like Singapore offers a completely different charm than in Japan. From the vibrant red streets to the energy of the lion dances, it is an experience like no other. I truly hope everyone gets the chance to experience Singapore's unique and festive celebrations at least once!