S'pore HeritageFest 2009 to include new citizens, PRs for first time
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 July 2009 1851 hrs
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Singapore HeritageFest 2009</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD><TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cccccc" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=240><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=topic vAlign=top> Video </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc vAlign=top>
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</TD><TD class=bodytext vAlign=top width="60%" align=left>S'pore HeritageFest 2009 to include new citizens, PRs for first time</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top background=images/dotline_240.gif align=left>
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SINGAPORE: The Singapore HeritageFest is back, and for the first time, it is roping in new citizens and permanent residents to be part of the celebrations.
Over the years, Singapore's cultural mix has become even more diverse as more foreigners move in. And for the first time, they will be part of the festivities, making up one-fifth of the 1,400 HeritageFest performers.
One of them is musician Amit Gilboa. The Israeli-American moved to Singapore eight years ago and became a permanent resident in 2007.
"My daughter is going to school now, and she says 'lah' now... which she certainly did not learn from home. She learned it at school, but she's now saying it at home. When I'm doing an overseas show, and I say 'Oh, I'm looking forward to going home', it's my home here - it's Singapore," said Amit Gilboa.
The annual Singapore HeritageFest is back for its sixth year, and it is all about showcasing Singapore's cultural diversity - from the festivals we celebrate, to the food we eat, and the games that we play.
This year's festivities also include performances and exhibitions in suburban malls, including Causeway Point, Compass Point, Northpoint, The Centrepoint, Jurong Point and Vivocity.
And through interactive websites, organisers hope to attract youths as well. One example is mystory.com, where users can learn more about Singapore's heritage sites.
"As we mature as a nation, as our older citizens pass on, there is a little gap and I think the young people want to discover that gap... and learn about their heritage before even the older relatives pass on," said National Heritage Board's CEO, Michael Koh.
So from July 15, senior citizens will get free admission to the National Heritage Board's museums. The museums are the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore Art Museum, 8QSAM, and The Peranakan Museum. The Philatelic Museum is not included.
The board hopes senior citizens will bring their children and grandchildren along and share with them their stories. The free entry applies to Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 and above.
This year's Singapore HeritageFest runs till July 26. - CNA /ls
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 July 2009 1851 hrs
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=260 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD width=240 align=right>
Singapore HeritageFest 2009</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD><TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cccccc" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=240><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=topic vAlign=top> Video </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc vAlign=top>
</TD><TD class=bodytext vAlign=top width="60%" align=left>S'pore HeritageFest 2009 to include new citizens, PRs for first time</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top background=images/dotline_240.gif align=left>
SINGAPORE: The Singapore HeritageFest is back, and for the first time, it is roping in new citizens and permanent residents to be part of the celebrations.
Over the years, Singapore's cultural mix has become even more diverse as more foreigners move in. And for the first time, they will be part of the festivities, making up one-fifth of the 1,400 HeritageFest performers.
One of them is musician Amit Gilboa. The Israeli-American moved to Singapore eight years ago and became a permanent resident in 2007.
"My daughter is going to school now, and she says 'lah' now... which she certainly did not learn from home. She learned it at school, but she's now saying it at home. When I'm doing an overseas show, and I say 'Oh, I'm looking forward to going home', it's my home here - it's Singapore," said Amit Gilboa.
The annual Singapore HeritageFest is back for its sixth year, and it is all about showcasing Singapore's cultural diversity - from the festivals we celebrate, to the food we eat, and the games that we play.
This year's festivities also include performances and exhibitions in suburban malls, including Causeway Point, Compass Point, Northpoint, The Centrepoint, Jurong Point and Vivocity.
And through interactive websites, organisers hope to attract youths as well. One example is mystory.com, where users can learn more about Singapore's heritage sites.
"As we mature as a nation, as our older citizens pass on, there is a little gap and I think the young people want to discover that gap... and learn about their heritage before even the older relatives pass on," said National Heritage Board's CEO, Michael Koh.
So from July 15, senior citizens will get free admission to the National Heritage Board's museums. The museums are the National Museum of Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore Art Museum, 8QSAM, and The Peranakan Museum. The Philatelic Museum is not included.
The board hopes senior citizens will bring their children and grandchildren along and share with them their stories. The free entry applies to Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 and above.
This year's Singapore HeritageFest runs till July 26. - CNA /ls
