The old, the young, the MPs: The ones who attend the festivities

The pursuit of getai, a popular cultural practice, has recently expanded its mission to assist the government in disseminating public messages to diverse audiences, including senior citizens, through multiple languages. This initiative was exemplified during a getai show held in Ang Mo Kio on August 16, where the host Hao Hao relayed information about the GSTV - cash transfers to aid Singaporeans in coping with increasing living costs.

In Toa Payoh, Ke Le and Jacky Chin, getai hosts, engaged the elderly community during a getai show on August 20. This event marked the first of its kind officially designated as an "Age Well Neighbourhood," aimed at delivering better care services and senior-friendly infrastructure for senior citizens.

During these festivities, Members of Parliament (MPs) make frequent appearances to interact with residents. Foo Cexiang, a first-term MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, attended the Tiong Bahru Sin Hock Heng Sia Zhong Yuan Jie dinner on August 16. At this event, he sang a Cantopop hit, Friends, to raise funds for local disability-focused charity, SPD’s renovation works.

MP Dennis Tan of the Workers' Party actively attended various Zhong Yuan Jie dinners in Hougang. In one such dinner on August 27, Tan mingled with over 40 tables of guests, communicating in English, Mandarin, and Teochew. He revealed that he attends more than ten Zhong Yuan Jie engagements annually, expressing gratitude for the residents' warmth and appreciation.

Dialects remain a crucial element of getai, primarily catering to the older audience. Performers like Ke Le, a 29-year-old host and singer, acknowledge the importance of providing a mix of young and old performers alongside modern and traditional songs. This approach aims to appeal to a broader demographic, including the younger generation, who might not have extensive experience with dialects.

In recent years, getai has started incorporating popular songs from various genres, such as Mandopop and K-pop, to attract younger attendees. This strategy seeks to preserve the cultural roots of getai while ensuring its relevance in the modern era.