SINGAPORE, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Chinese Cultural Center launched its Cultural Extravaganza (CE 2018) here on Friday with a comedy show, while presenting two awards to honor the recipients' contribution to promoting Chinese culture in the city-state.

Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Grace Fu officiated the launch of the festival that will roll out a series of programs to display Singapore's distinctive Chinese culture.

The center also recognized the efforts of renowned local music conductor Lee Yuk Chuan and the Singapore Association of Writers by bestowing them the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award.

The show entitled Masters of Comedy was premiered on stage following the opening ceremony, which was produced by a local theater group called Toy Factory.

It aims to pay tribute to Singapore's iconic comedians with comedic dialogue, cross-talk, songs and dances.

A series of programs will follow over the next three weeks, including cultural performance, workshop, seminar and exhibition, culminating in the Sing Lang Concert and its entourage of the local music talents.

Lee Yuk Chuan and the Singapore Association of Writers had stood out from a total of 47 nominations, comprising 29 nominations for the individual category and 18 nominations for the organization category.

As part of CE 2018, the Singapore Association of Writers will also present Sensibilities in the Sense(s), combing an assembly of award-winning local poets to present Chinese poetry reading accompanied by live music.

The Cultural Extravaganza will run until June 10 at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center.