Best cultural events to rouse your Singapore spirit

Cinema

A Feeling Of Music Playing

FILM-MAKER Ong Kah Jing – better known as OKJ – has produced a fascinating independent documentary centred on a jamming session involving four players of Asian instruments: Govin Tan (tabla), Mohamed Faizal (guzheng), Gildon Choo (pipa) and Tong Wei Jie (dizi). Tan is Chinese but plays the Indian tabla because his father converted to Hinduism in the 1980s and passed on his love of Indian music; Faizal is Malay but plays the guzheng because he’s loved the sound of the instrument since he was 14. It’s a multiracial, cross-cultural Asian fantasy that can exist only in Singapore – except that it’s real.   

The film, titled A Feeling of Music Playing, offers an intimate look at how musicians collaborate and create harmonies together. The four are either complete strangers to each other or have never played together. The film chronicles the session taking place within the Eng Tiang Huat Chinese Cultural Shop, as they strike their first improvised chords, and gradually work towards a glorious climactic musical synchronicity. As cliched as it sounds, music really does bring people together, and A Feeling of Music Playing rouses nationalistic pride as well as any government-funded film on Singapore. The film plays at GV Max at Golden Village VivoCity on Aug 7 at 9 pm. 

Nature, fashion and architecture

Orchid Extravaganza 

Gardens by the Bay’s Orchid Extravaganza 2023 has been scheduled to coincide with National Day, honouring Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. The showcase, however, transcends mere floral beauty, as it takes the opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures and heritage of South-east Asia.

Working with the embassies of Indonesia and Thailand, as well as the High Commissions of Brunei and Malaysia, the exhibition also highlights the cultural significance of the kebaya – a traditional blouse – with each country’s kebaya featured. This inclusion recognises the joint kebaya nomination to the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the five countries.

Amid the enchanting display of orchids, visitors will find themselves surrounded by architectural structures representative of different parts of the region. For example, the rumah Pahang from Malaysia, the ruean Thai from Thailand, and the rumah tongkonan from Indonesia with its distinctive boat-shaped roof, all beckon you to immerse yourself in the delightful tapestry of South-east Asia’s diverse cultures. 

Music

SSO National Day Concert

Now in its sixth year, the annual SSO National Day Concert serves as a showcase of Singaporean talent across all facets of music. Presented by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), it features the world premieres of new music pieces crafted by gifted Singaporean composers commissioned by the SSO, highlighting the depth and creativity of the country’s musical landscape. The concert pays homage to the rich heritage of Singapore’s pioneer composers by reviving some of their musical treasures from the repertory. 

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To give wider access to this event, the concert will be streamed live from the Esplanade Concert Hall on the Singapore Symphony YouTube Channel. Singaporeans from around the world can join in and enjoy the special occasion together on Aug 13 at 4 pm. Tickets for the in-person experience are sold out.

Art

Tang Da Wu at Shanghart

Tang Da Wu, Singapore’s doyen of contemporary visual art, has just opened a new solo show at Shanghart gallery, solidifying his standing as one of the country’s finest. Entitled 3, 4, 5, I Don’t Like Fine Art, the exhibition features a captivating array of paintings and installations, inspired by his profound fascination with local materials, histories and mythologies.

One of the installations portrays the skeletal body of a phoenix, a recurring symbol for Tang, representing hope and renewal. It is resting on a bed of geometric tear-shaped mirrors, seemingly lifeless. Another installation portrays a boat, symbolising progress and movement, subdued by a formidable snake. These artistic expressions embody Tang’s perspectives on being an artist, caught in a perpetual cycle of hope, growth, learning, rejection, repression and disappointment.

At the heart of the gallery, a striking centrepiece commands attention – a colossal pair of legs emerging from the wall, with feet anchored to the floor. This work serves as a visual embodiment of Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ famous adage, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and it’s not the same man.” It compellingly speaks to the inevitability of change within ourselves and our circumstances.

Online entertainment

From Mudflats to Smart Nation 

Singtel has released a remarkable online documentary titled From Mudflats to Smart Nation to mark the 100th birth anniversary of late prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and the 58th anniversary of Singapore. This genuinely captivating 22-minute production offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of Singapore’s transformative journey into a global economic powerhouse, with an emphasis on the pivotal role played by the telecommunications industry. 

The video features prominent personalities, including former chairman and chief executive officer of the National Computer Board Lim Swee Say, as well as Singtel’s top executives, such as group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon, group chief financial officer Arthur Lang, and CEO of NCS Ng Kuo Pin, among others. They provide valuable insight into how technology has been instrumental in facilitating Singapore’s rapid progress, and welcome the mainstream adoption of 5G to help the country retain its leading economic position. The video is available on YouTube.

Ceremony

National Day Parade 2023

Well-known film-maker Royston Tan was the creative director of National Day Parade 2020, but the pandemic forced him to scale down his plans and vision. Now he’s back with a vengeance, promising “a very, very big show” as the event makes its return to the Padang.

This year’s cast comprises 2,400 performers and 43 artistes including rapper ShiGGa Shay, rising starlet Iman Fandi and singer Olivia Ong. On top of the floats, marches, mass choreography, aerial displays and pyrotechnics, there will be floor projections that will take the audience from the ocean to the forest and stars. Audiences at the event will be treated to a unique olfactory experience, while audiences at home can engage in augmented reality-like elements.

The parade will be telecast live on Aug 9 from 5.35 pm to 8.30 pm on TV, YouTube and Facebook. Fireworks will be set off at five heartland locations (Jurong West Stadium, Woodlands Stadium, Bedok Stadium, Our Tampines Hub and Toa Payoh Stadium), in sync with the pyrotechnics at the Padang.