Spotlight Singapore marks 20 years with Kobe edition

[SINGAPORE] Spotlight Singapore, the city-state’s cultural diplomacy platform, is set to hold its 20th anniversary in Kobe, Japan, this December. 

This is also the programme’s first return to Japan in 20 years, and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Launched in 2006, Spotlight Singapore combines artistic, economic and education activities aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration between Singapore and its international partners. Previous editions have been held in 10 cities across Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America, including Tokyo in 2006. 

Lee Suan Hiang, chairman of the Spotlight Singapore organising committee, said the event’s return to Japan was “especially meaningful” and provides a “thoughtful and timely setting for (the countries) to celebrate the strength of this relationship and explore what more we can build together”. 

Kobe city’s mayor Kizo Hisamoto said the establishment of Kobe’s office in Singapore last August created another “important bridge for deeper engagement with the region”.

“We look forward to welcoming the Singapore delegation to Kobe, sharing our city’s hospitality, culture and enterprise, and exploring new opportunities in business, innovation and the arts,” he said. 

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This year’s overarching artistic narrative – presented by non-profit arts and cultural organisation The Rice Company through its unit Global Cultural Alliance – will feature collaborations between Singaporean and Japanese artists over three days across music, dance and visual art. 

The six-day programme will also spotlight Singapore businesses looking to deepen their connections in Japan. This includes Singapore-based robotics and artificial intelligence company dConstruct Robotics, which has an existing presence in Tokyo. 

Spotlight Singapore Kobe is supported by The Business Times, semiconductor manufacturing service provider GCube, health-tech startup QuantumTX and the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.