Singapore Bicentennial

As part of the Singapore Bicentennial Commemoration, the National Heritage Board and the National Parks Board launched BALIKSG, an augmented reality (AR) trail that will bring visitors on an immersive journey along the Singapore River and around Fort Canning. Visitors can download the free BALIKSG smartphone app, and rediscover and experience significant events and places in Singapore’s history for themselves. These include witnessing the signing of the 1819 treaty at the Padang, listening into a probable conversation between Sir Stamford Raffles and Major William Farquhar when they set foot on the shores of Singapore, and revisiting Fort Canning back when…

Held since 2010, i Light Singapore is a sustainable light art festival showcasing installations created by artists from Singapore and around the world. This year’s setup, i Light Singapore — Bicentennial Edition, comes much more eventful than the last, consisting of thirty-three art installations in multiple locations including Marina Bay, Civic District, Singapore River and Raffles Terrace. In addition to sustainability, the passage of time is explored as an additional central theme in this year’s exhibits. Visually rich, and infused with diverse meanings, I was blown away by the complexity and originality of many works. I have narrowed them down…

The Future Of Our Pasts Festival – better known as TFOOPFest – took place till 17 March at various locations around the city. Organised by Yale-NUS College, the festival featured a line-up of 11 multidisciplinary projects created by young local artists and cultural advocates in hopes of engaging and inspiring audiences to explore the lesser-known narratives of Singapore’s communities and history. Held in support of the Singapore Bicentennial, TFOOPFest prompted audiences to explore different narratives through the various programmes available, including installations, interactive musical and theatrical performances, as well as film screenings. Here were some of the programmes TFOOPFest offered.…

Witness the enthralling tale of Singapore’s transformation from an island of immigrants to a nation forged by our multi-ethnic cultures through an original dance-drama Whispers from the Dragon’s Teeth Gate. Held on 20 April 2019, the production is presented by Dance Ensemble Singapore (DES Arts), in collaboration with Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts. The performance takes the audience on a journey 700 years back in time. Over the course of four acts, viewers will get to witness various historic moments – from the legendary voyage of Sang Nila Utama and the discovery of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, to the…

Light to Night Festival is back for its third year, and it presents the Singapore Art Week edition and the Singapore Bicentennial edition. Spearheaded by National Gallery Singapore, the Light to Night Festival will span across a period of six weeks to bring close to 50 programmes and immerse audiences in an adventure filled with thought-provoking art and historical encounters. Themed Traces and Echoes, visitors are invited to go beyond the role of a visual spectator to one who interprets art and history with their five senses. The first edition – as a marquee event of Singapore Art Week – presents…