An incident at the West Coast Community Centre has stirred up controversy and worry as a man and a woman disrupted a lion dance performance through their disruptive actions, according to The Straits Times.
This disruption occurred during the Ngee Ann City National Lion Dance Championship, which was organized by the Singapore Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Federation (SWDLDF), where their son was participating as a performer with the Times Cultural Arts, according to Shin MIn Daily News.
During the performance, as the lion dance team was setting up their props, the couple abruptly rushed in, causing a scene that disrupted the entire performance.
Videos captured the couple shouting the Mandarin phrase “mei da mei xiao,” which translates to “showing no respect,” and allegedly kicking one of the lion’s heads placed on the ground.
Despite attempts from judges and fellow performers to intervene, the couple persisted in their disruptive behavior.
As a result of the incident, the authorities were alerted, leading to the arrest of the 58-year-old man and 51-year-old woman on charges of causing public nuisance.
Authorities take such actions seriously as they disrupt public order and jeopardize the safety of others. Police investigations into the incident are also underway.
In the aftermath of the disruption, Mr. Joseph Low, the secretary-general of SWDLDF, highlighted a miscommunication between the parents and their 25-year-old son, who was part of the lion dance competition.
The parents had attempted to prevent their son from participating due to misunderstandings.
Despite the disturbance, the son’s lion dance team demonstrated resilience and determination. While initially contemplating withdrawal from the competition, the organizers extended the opportunity for them to compete at a later time.
The team’s perseverance paid off as they secured a Gold in the competition, advancing to the semi-finals scheduled at Ngee Ann City from Sept 4 to 9.
Mr. Joseph Low emphasized the vital role of lion dance, like any sport, in building character. It fosters values such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and tenacity.
As a community, it is essential to support and encourage young performers in their pursuit of traditional arts and cultural practices, preserving our heritage while shaping the character of future generations.