To Mexico, with love

IT was supposed to be a straightforward business and cultural exchange between Singapore and Mexico. But it turned into several wrenching moments of bereavement over the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew for the Singapore delegates, while their Mexican counterparts offered their kind and heartfelt condolences.

The weeklong business and cultural exchange called Spotlight Singapore Mexico City culminated last week in a concert of instrumental music composed by the late Iskandar Ismail and his protege Julian Wong.

At the 200-year-old Bibiloteca de Mexico (Library of Mexico), Mr Wong led an orchestra of Singaporean and Mexican musicians in playing a slow and mournful version of national anthem Majulah Singapura which he rearranged overnight. It made half of the Singapore delegates cry, as images of a youthful Mr Lee were projected on to the back wall.