Event

NUS Loy Krathong Festival 2023

Loy Krathong Festival in Singapore🏮✨

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the National University of Singapore (NUS), the campus buzzed with an air of anticipation for the annual Loy Krathong Festival. A tradition rooted in Thai culture, Loy Krathong is celebrated on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. It’s a time when people gather to pay respects to the water goddess and set afloat small, beautifully decorated lantern baskets called "krathongs". This year, NUS has honored this tradition all the way from Singapore!

The festival began with an elaborate display of Thai culture. Traditional dancers, adorned in vibrant costumes, performed intricate routines that left the audience spellbound. The aromas of various stalls of traditional, delicious Thai food filled the air, along with the melodious sounds of Thai music sung by our own students, creating an ambience that was both exotic and familiar.

As darkness enveloped the sky, students, faculty, and visitors alike gathered around the reflective pond, each holding a krathong handmade by the Thai nationals. These rafts, traditionally made from a slice of a banana tree trunk and decorated with intricately folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, and incense sticks, symbolize letting go of grudges, anger, and defilements. The flickering candles cast a warm glow, reflecting the hopes and dreams being set afloat.

It was heartwarming to see students from various countries gather together to appreciate the beauty of Thai culture, some for the first time. Students, staff, young children, and adults all came together for a group dance to the live music.

The festival also served as a reminder of the importance of environmental consciousness. In recent years, there has been a shift towards more sustainable practices in celebrating Loy Krathong. This was evident in the biodegradable materials used for krathongs and the emphasis on cleaning up after the event. It reflects a growing awareness and responsibility towards our planet, aligning with NUS’s commitment to sustainability.

The NUS Loy Krathong Festival, in all its splendor, was a vivid reminder of how traditions can bring people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging, no matter where we come from. It is indeed a unique and memorable experience, encapsulating the spirit of togetherness and the universal desire for a brighter future. It's an event that stays with you, long after the last candle has flickered out.

Do not fret if you have missed this year's celebration! This annual event is a staple in the NUS calendar, offering future generations of students the opportunity to have this experience every year.