Plenty of ideas for SG50 bash

Plenty of ideas for SG50 bash

From a high-octane youth bash to a mass walk winding through the city's heritage landmarks, a slew of activities is planned to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday.

The nation's party planners hope to get everyone involved in the year-long celebrations, with ongoing efforts to canvass for ideas from the young and old, as well as the business community.

The two-month drive has so far garnered more than 11,000 suggestions, some of which have been incorporated in the line-up of events to celebrate Singapore's Golden Jubilee.

Besides ensuring that everyone enjoys the festivities, chief party planner Heng Swee Keat hopes to get the community to reflect on how far they have come.

"It is about celebrating the enduring values that we share that undergird the Singapore spirit. Values that enable us to succeed in the past, and give us confidence for an even brighter future," said the Education Minister, who heads the Singapore50 (SG50) Steering Committee.

Unveiling the calendar of events, Mr Heng also wants to get people into the spirit of giving, with a nationwide drive to raise funds for the less privileged.

The Care & Share@SG50 campaign, which was launched in December, has raised $90.72 million in four months.

Kicking off next year's festivities will be the year-end party, with a mega concert, and specially choreographed fireworks in Marina Bay to ring in 2015.

Apart from marquee events like the SEA Games and National Day Parade, there will be a Youth Celebrate! event in April. To be held at the new Sports Hub, it will involve 2,500 performers and 50,000 school participants. Highlights will include a charity match between primary school pupils and national football players.

Other initiatives include a dance festival, potluck sessions and a call to citizens to identify 50 places that define Singapore through photographs and short films

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, who sits on the SG50 committee, said over 100 proposals have also been sent in to tap on the SG50 Celebration Fund, a $5 million kitty that provides funding of up to $50,000, for Singaporeans to celebrate the nation's 50th in their own way.

So far, 14 proposals have been approved. One project will see the creation of a Tamil song featuring musical instruments from other cultures.

Mr Wong said he hoped that many activities slated for SG50 will not be one-off. "We hope it's the start of a broader movement of Singaporeans playing a more active role in contributing to Singapore."

adrianl@sph.com.sg


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