By Susie Reese
This year, Singapore rejoices its 50th year of independence in a yearlong celebration dubbed SG50! Join the Singaporeans as they commemorate their journey from dreams and hardships to prosperity and endurance. The Pioneering Spirit. Since 1965.
See how the spirit is embodied in the very core of Singaporeans with this young girl’s journey into her grandfather’s past. Not only does the road bring her and her grandfather closer together, but it also teaches the granddaughter to strive for her own dreams.
Based on a true story.
You can take part in a number of jubilant festivals to celebrate the island’s distinct culture and heritage, each designed to give back to the community from where its inspiration was formed. Singapore took stage in October, beginning the festivities with Singapore: Inside Out, a traveling showcase of local creativity and talent in the fields of architecture, design, fashion, food and beverage, music, literary, and the performing and visual arts. The show displayed in Singapore from October to November and will stop in Beijing in April, London in June, and New York City in September, before returning to Singapore in November for an extended presentation.
Inside out? it’s definitely transparent! (Credit: Zach Collaborative)
Other noteworthy celebrations include:
From now until Aug. 31, mySG Trails and Exhibitions will showcase the work of more than 70 schools, presenting Singapore through the eyes of the country’s youth.
On Feb. 27 and 28, Chingay 2015, the largest street performance and float parade in Asia, will celebrate SG50 with a We *Heart* SG theme. More than 11,000 multi-cultural performers will take to the streets with more than one million “We Love SG Flowers,” which are handcrafted from used plastic bags.
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From March to January (2016), Singapore will hold a concert series in Bishan Park-Ang Mo Kio Park at the Grand Lawn, which will be free to all attendees. The concerts will showcase well-known local talents and include fringe activities.
In May, the “Hands that Built Our Nation” Travelling Exhibition will explore the stories of workers and businesses who played a part in Singapore’s economic history.
From June 5-16, Singapore will host the 28th Annual Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). The tournament will be held at the Singapore Sports Hub, but visitors and locals are encouraged to “paint the town red” with 50 community projects and 50 creative number formations to be unveiled daily as a countdown to the games. (So, ideally, you want to stop in a few days early!)
You won’t want to miss the anchor event for SG50 on Aug. 9—The National Day Parade 2015. This momentous event will take place at The Padang, an open playing field in the Downtown Core of the Central Area of Singapore, which has hosted many historic events, including the first National Day Parade in 1966.
During the first week of Oct., Singapore will host Singapore Dance Day (Yes, that is correct). This will include various activities, such as open classes, talks, flash mobs, and outdoor dance performances.
On Nov. 1, a new Jubilee Walk will open, a pedestrian bridge that will stretch from Merlion Park to the Marina. It will be marked by four new public art works to commemorate SG50 and will form a part of the physical legacy SG50 will leave.
Finally, on Dec. 31, Singapore will finish off its 50th anniversary with a spectacular display of more than 25,000 wishing spheres afloat at Marina Bay, awe-inspiring fireworks, and a look ahead at the next 50 years.
Finish the SG50 with a firework spectacular at Marina Bay in Singapore! (Credit: Darren Soh)
Join Singapore’s celebration! Talk to your local travel agent to get a customized Singapore vacation package today.
