{
  "id": 4503583,
  "title": "Keeping the ghost festival alive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/keeping-the-ghost-festival-alive",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T21:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/keeping-the-ghost-festival-alive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as Zhong Yuan Jie, is a significant event that takes place during the seventh lunar month, typically lasting from August 13 to September 10 in 2026. This period is observed by Buddhists and Taoists, who believe the gates of the underworld are open, allowing spirits to wander the earth.\n\nDuring the festival, devotees engage in various rituals, such as burning incense and joss paper, and laying out food offerings for deceased ancestors and wandering spirits. A unique feature of the festival is the presence of getai shows, which are lively performances featuring seasoned crooners belting out dialect hits and even K-pop songs.\n\nThese getai shows have been an integral part of the festival for decades, providing entertainment for both the living and the dead. However, behind the flashing lights and glitzy performances, the sector faces challenges in preserving this tradition. Many performers have shifted away from relying solely on the festival's revenue, instead pursuing gigs throughout the year to maintain a consistent cash flow. Organisers also cite rising logistics and manpower costs, as well as a decrease in available performance spaces.\n\nIn addition to financial challenges, another hurdle lies in attracting a new generation of audiences. As younger Singaporeans become increasingly disconnected from dialects and tradition, organisers are actively seeking successors to ensure the survival of this cultural phenomenon. The Straits Times interviewed performers, organisers, and audience members to shed light on the efforts being made to keep the ghost festival alive.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}