Singapore Season Arrives in London
Singapore Season in London 2005
25 February - 5 April
Another facet of Singapore will be in the spotlight when the curtain rises on
the Singapore Season in London later this month. Through a rare, multi-faceted
string of programmes profiling Singapore's contemporary artistic and cultural
achievements, the Singapore Season will increase awareness of Singapore as a
hive of artistic and creative activity and global business city in the United
Kingdom (UK).
2 Initiated and presented by the National Arts Council, Singapore, the country's
prominent arts companies and artists will participate in this inaugural
presentation. Director ONG Keng Sen and TheatreWorks opens the Season, followed
by the Singapore Dance Theatre, the T'ang Quartet, a Singapore Season Film Week
of popular films by top Singapore film makers, and the Singapore Chinese
Orchestra with multi-disciplinary artist TAN Swie Hian. Their presentations are
supported by some of London's major venues - The Barbican, Barbican Cinemas,
Wigmore Hall, the Institute of Contemporary Arts and Sadler's Wells.
3 A multi-agency effort, the Singapore Season in London also incorporates a
Singapore Evening which is designed as a seamless multi-sensory experience of
the arts, media, design, architecture, fashion and cuisine in Singapore; as well
as a Singapore Conference which will feature a keynote speech by Senior Minister
GOH Chok Tong and a panel discussion on the new positioning and role of
Singapore in global business. Other associated events also include the naming of
the "Uniquely Singapore" Clipper and a showcase of our favourite local delights
at the Singapore Food Festivals.
4 Singapore Season aims to position Singapore as a creative city, a global
meeting place for ideas, creativity and innovation, thus making it one of the
best business and lifestyle environments in Asia. Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong
is Patron of the Singapore Season.
5 Dr TAN Chin Nam, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications
and the Arts (MICA) and Chairman of the Singapore Season Steering Committee
said, "Singapore and the United Kingdom have always enjoyed close and stable
economic and political relations. The Singapore Season presents several
opportunities to both countries for cultural and business exchanges. It is more
than an arts platform. It provides an opportunity to promote economic and
business interests of Singapore and UK companies, promote cultural and business
networking, and create new opportunities for Singapore-UK collaboration in the
global economy. Through this initiative, we hope to promote greater
understanding and co-operation, and deepen cultural ties between both
countries."
6 Highlighting Singapore's achievements in the arts, the Season presents another
face of Singapore in a holistic manner. It underlines Singapore's potential as a
place of creativity, ideas, and enterprise and reflects the progress the
city-state has made in becoming a distinctive global city for the arts. The
Singapore Season offers companies and sponsors the chance to be associated with
this unique showcasing of Singapore for corporate networking purpose and beyond.
Singapore's unique identity through the dynamic infusion of contemporary
outlook, high-tech environment, and deep rooted cultural traditions, will be
richly reflected in the Season. Positioned as a prototype in cultural diplomacy,
this integrated national marketing approach may be repeated in other key cities
in countries with significant bilateral relationships with Singapore.
7 LEE Suan Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council (NAC) and
Chairman Organising Committee of the Singapore Season in London 2005 said,
"Singapore's investment in the last decade to develop our artists, audience and
arts facilities have borne fruit. Our artists are winning awards and making a
mark on the world stage. The Singapore Season, one of many platforms created by
the Council to showcase Singapore artists to the international audiences,
presents another face of Singapore - a global city driven by imagination,
creativity and innovation."
8 In recent years, Singapore has made significant strides in gaining recognition
for cultural development in the international arts marketplace. Major investment
in the arts and education in Singapore over the last decade has led to an
explosion of original creative talent across all genres, along with eager young
audiences. More than 5,000 performances a year are staged at home. No longer
just an importer of the arts, Singapore has been exporting its own cutting edge
talent to major arts events and venues throughout the world. The invitation,
acceptance and hosting of Singapore arts companies by London's leading cultural
institutions and venues affirms Singapore's artistic potential and the
accomplishment of Singapore artists in bridging the cultures of East and West,
the contemporary and traditional.
9 The Singapore Season in London 2005 is presented in association with Institute
of Contemporary Arts, Peacock Theatre - Sadler's Wells in the West End, Wigmore
Hall, Barbican Cinemas and Barbican Hall. The organisations supporting the
Season are:
- Singapore Partners: Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Agency for Science, Technology and Research;
DesignSingapore Council; Economic Development Board; International Enterprise
Singapore; Monetary Authority Of Singapore; Media Development Authority;
Singapore Tourism Board.
- UK Partners: British Council, Arts Council England, Asia House.
- Programme Sponsors: Singapore Film Commission, Singapore International
Foundation
- Major Sponsors: Hong Leong Foundation, Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore
Airlines
- Associate Sponsors: ComfortDelGro Corporation Ltd, Dairy Farm Singapore, Pico
Art International Pte Ltd, Raffles International Hotels & Resorts
- Supporters: British High Commission, Contact Singapore, CPG Corporation Pte
Ltd, Singapore-British Business Council.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
