Events big and small to celebrate S'pore's 50th
Strong spirit of giving revealed, as SG50 charity drive raises $90 million
By Tham Yuen-C, The Straits Times, 4 Jun 2014
Strong spirit of giving revealed, as SG50 charity drive raises $90 million
By Tham Yuen-C, The Straits Times, 4 Jun 2014
THE unveiling of the calendar of events to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday next year has revealed a strong spirit of giving.
A year-long charity drive, in the name of the nation's golden jubilee, collected $90 million in just four months since its launch in December, the SG50 Steering Committee said yesterday.
The group, which is spear-heading the jubilee celebrations, also disclosed that a new walking trail will be developed, taking people through historic sites in the civic district and Marina Bay areas.
Called the Jubilee Walk, it will have trail markers showing the way, and incorporate four new art installations, as well as a new pedestrian bridge stretching from Merlion Park to Marina Promenade.
The walk is among a host of activities the committee, headed by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, has planned around the "simple idea" of all Singaporeans celebrating as one people.
To that end, it has come up with a diverse range of activities for different segments of the population, he said at a press conference to announce the events.
Some are under way, like the Care & Share@SG50 charity drive.
This national fund-raising and volunteerism effort is led by the Community Chest and has raised over $90 million so far that will be used to help the needy and boost the social service sector.
Donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $250 million by the Government, until the end of this year.
Underlining the goals of the SG50 celebrations, Mr Heng said it is about "valuing our people" and "reflecting on how we got to where we are, enjoying all that is unique and important to Singapore, (and committing) to building a better Singapore for the future".
Hence, the programmes will focus on celebrating shared values that "undergird the Singapore spirit... that has enabled us to succeed in the past and given us confidence for an even brighter future", he added.
The celebrations will start with a big countdown party on Dec 31 at Marina Bay, and continue through the year with events that include the opening of the National Gallery.
Hence, the programmes will focus on celebrating shared values that "undergird the Singapore spirit... that has enabled us to succeed in the past and given us confidence for an even brighter future", he added.
The celebrations will start with a big countdown party on Dec 31 at Marina Bay, and continue through the year with events that include the opening of the National Gallery.
Besides these large-scale events, which the Government will lead, there will be community-led initiatives organised by Singaporeans themselves.
The steering committee had called for ideas for the birthday bash from Singaporeans, and received about 11,000 in two months. It has picked 1,400.
For those with concrete ideas, the Government has $5 million in the SG50 Celebration Fund to finance ground-up projects.
Since January, 14 projects have been selected out of 100 proposals received.
The committee is open to boosting the fund should more good ideas come along, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, who is on the SG50 committee.
Partnerships have also been formed with companies, federations and associations in 32 industry sectors to get the private sector on board.
Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah, who is also on the committee, said the value of the celebrations is "an intangible thing".
"What you are really doing is you are celebrating what it means... you want to seal in people's hearts and minds the meaning of something, and in this case, it is the meaning of how we have become a nation together, the fact that we are looking forward to a future together and we are going to forge that future together."
50th National Day to honour what it means to be Singaporean
Aim of the celebrations is to get as many S’poreans as possible involved, say organisers
By Kok Xing Hui, TODAY, 4 Jun 2014
Aim of the celebrations is to get as many S’poreans as possible involved, say organisers
By Kok Xing Hui, TODAY, 4 Jun 2014
There will also be programmes marking the Republic’s heritage and collective memories, such as a compilation of tributes to 50 of Singaporeans’ favourite places on this island.
The goal, said Education Minister and Chairman of the SG50 Steering Committee, Mr Heng Swee Keat, is to “get as many Singaporeans as possible” involved in the Republic’s golden jubilee birthday bash, as well as encourage groups and individuals to come up with ideas and special activities to “mark this very special year and very special occasion”.
“SG50 is about celebrating the enduring values that we share as Singaporeans, values that undergird the Singapore Spirit — values that have stood us in good stead in the past and give us confidence for an even brighter future,” he added. “In terms of the themes that you see throughout the various events, there will be three elements: One is about reflecting on our past, and it’s about celebrating our present and committing to the future,” noted Mr Heng at a press conference to unveil the line-up of the celebrations.
Co-chair of the SG50 Programme Office Indranee Rajah, who is also Senior Minister of State (Law and Education), added that the “golden thread” through the various activities — some of which were culled from the over 11,000 suggestions submitted by members of the public — is about “the essence of Singaporean-ness ... and the journey we’ve made as Singaporeans”.
Co-chair of the SG50 Programme Office Indranee Rajah, who is also Senior Minister of State (Law and Education), added that the “golden thread” through the various activities — some of which were culled from the over 11,000 suggestions submitted by members of the public — is about “the essence of Singaporean-ness ... and the journey we’ve made as Singaporeans”.
To that end, the celebrations will kick off on Dec 31 this year, with a special edition of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown that will have a retrospective element, including highlighting Singapore music and local music celebrities. The anchor celebration will be the National Day Parade, which will incorporate activities to encourage active participation of Singaporeans.
A new pedestrian bridge will also be built in the heart of the city, from the Merlion Park to Marina Promenade, in front of the Esplanade Theatres, which will form part of a heritage walk through the civic district and the Marina Bay area. There will also be four new public artworks along the trail to commemorate SG50.
These will serve as a lasting physical legacy of Singapore’s jubilee year.
An SG Heart Map will also be compiled based on 50 places of significance in Singapore suggested by the public. Content on these places, such as sketches, poetry, photographs and short films crowdsourced from the public, will be included on the map.
Meanwhile, the National Museum will revamp its permanent galleries in September next year to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence. Defining moments in the Republic’s journey from 1942 onwards will be told through experiential exhibitions.
The National Gallery will also open in November with displays of the best in our national collection of visual arts, including from Nanyang pioneer artists. On the sidelines, Singaporeans can contribute their reflections on the National Pledge, which will be incorporated into an artwork at a sheltered linkway from City Hall MRT station to the new National Gallery.
Several major events that Singapore is hosting next year, such as the South-east Asian Games in June and the ASEAN Para Games in December, will also be infused with celebratory themes, such as highlighting inspiring stories of ordinary people and athletes achieving the extraordinary.
Tapestry of Singapore life to mark golden jubilee
SG50 project among 14 that will get funding
By Maryam Mokhtar, The Straits Times, 4 Jun 2014
SG50 project among 14 that will get funding
By Maryam Mokhtar, The Straits Times, 4 Jun 2014
MENTALLY fatigued from handling a deluge of commercial photography projects, professional shutterbugs Samuel He, Ivan Tan and Juliana Tan spent a day in Joo Chiat last October on a "creative break".
"It is like seeing the neighbourhood in a different light. This is a place that is not touristy and where Singaporeans feel much at home; it represents who we are as a people," Ms Tan, 24, said of their photographic tapestry.
Deciding to take their project further, the trio applied to the SG50 Celebration Fund to expand the scale of their work to cover eight neighbourhoods and popular places. The fund, set up to encourage ground-up initiatives from Singaporeans to celebrate the nation's golden jubilee next year, gave the nod to their proposal, granting them the maximum $50,000.
Their idea is among 14 that will receive funding, the SG50 steering committee said yesterday.
At least $5 million has been set aside for the fund, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, a member of the SG50 committee.
The amount may be increased should more proposals flow in and get the nod, he added at a press conference on the celebratory events for the big birthday bash.
More than 100 project ideas have been received since the door was opened for fund seekers. Officials are still poring over the mound of applications in search of the gems that will shine.
Among the proposals are ideas for musical and visual art performances, charity initiatives and publication projects.
Each project can get up to $50,000, depending on its scale and scope.
Mr Wong said: "I am encouraged by these passionate Singaporeans who are actively coming forward to make a unique contribution to the celebrations by driving their own project."
He would like to see more. People can apply for funding until August next year.
Meanwhile, Ms Tan, Mr He, 31, and Mr Tan, 26, said the seven other places they have in mind for their project include Bedok Jetty, Little India and Raffles Place MRT station.
Their photographic work will be printed on stickers measuring 1.5m tall and 8m wide. These will be exhibited at various spots in each location they photograph.
Their photographic work will be printed on stickers measuring 1.5m tall and 8m wide. These will be exhibited at various spots in each location they photograph.
"It is our way of giving a shoutout and to show there are beautiful, definitive spaces and people in Singapore whom we pass by in our daily lives without ever noticing. When people notice, we feel they will come to appreciate our home a little more," said Mr Tan.
Other projects that will be given funding include a publication of the stories and experiences of 50 members of Singapore's pioneer generation and a multi-cultural song composition that will make use of Malay drums and Chinese string instruments.
The song was an idea conceived by civil servant Logapreyan Renganathan, 42, and student Bhargav Sriganesh, 21.
Mr Renganathan said: "It may seem far-fetched to come up with a song since we are not stars or professional musicians, but it is about galvanising people through small ideas. We have already got the lyrics and a raw tune down; we are getting a music director to arrange the song, but want regular Singaporeans to be a part of it.''
A celebration for all
Youth Celebrate!
It will rally young Singaporeans and celebrate achievements in fields such as the arts and sports. Highlights include the National School Games Track and Field competition and a novelty football match pitting school kids against national players.
SG Heart Map
Youth Celebrate!
It will rally young Singaporeans and celebrate achievements in fields such as the arts and sports. Highlights include the National School Games Track and Field competition and a novelty football match pitting school kids against national players.
SG Heart Map
A way for Singaporeans to share stories of the 50 places they define as "home". The collection of stories, sketches, videos or photographs, among other things, will be crowd sourced over five months.
My SG Trails and Exhibitions
My SG Trails and Exhibitions
Singapore will be seen through the eyes of youth via walking trails and exhibitions. These will be designed by students from primary to university level, and showcase places they are proud of.
SG50 Lecture Series
SG50 Lecture Series
A series of forums and conferences where local and international thought leaders will give their take on Singapore's future and what it has achieved. Lectures will be open to the public.
Let's Makan
Let's Makan
A community initiative that will provide a starter kit with tips on games, activities and food to people who want to hold potluck sessions featuring local fare for their neighbours.
Jubilee Walk
To cover historic locations in the civic district and Marina Bay area, the walking trail will incorporate a new pedestrian bridge that will stretch from Merlion Park to Marina Promenade, and four new public art installations to mark Singapore's 50th year of independence.
Jubilee Walk
To cover historic locations in the civic district and Marina Bay area, the walking trail will incorporate a new pedestrian bridge that will stretch from Merlion Park to Marina Promenade, and four new public art installations to mark Singapore's 50th year of independence.
Related
Celebrating Singapore's 50th Birthday as One People
Year of events lined up to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary
Celebrating Singapore's 50th Birthday as One People
Year of events lined up to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary
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