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Arts festival bosses make up, release joint statement

SINGAPORE — So maybe it didn’t come in the form of a video of the two of them laughing heartily and toasting to good times and all that jazz. But considering what’s at stake, it would have to do.

SINGAPORE — So maybe it didn’t come in the form of a video of the two of them laughing heartily and toasting to good times and all that jazz. But considering what’s at stake, it would have to do.

The Singapore International Festival Of Arts (SIFA) has released a statement announcing that CEO Lee Chor Lin and festival director Ong Keng Sen have reached an amicable agreement to resolve their differences. Whether that translates to “kiss and make up” would probably be another thing entirely — but we’re personally relieved that they’ve, at the very least, come up with a united front for the sake of a certified national event like the arts fest. (What’s that cliche that footballers say about no one bigger than the team or its fans? Should apply to SIFA and its predecessors, too, IMO.)

Anyway, here’s the statement in full (repeats and all):

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“Following discussions, Chor Lin and Keng Sen have agreed on a path forward, focusing on the shared goal of the success of the Festival. With the shared goal of working towards the success of the Festival, Keng Sen will continue to direct the Festival into its fruition, together with Chor Lin leading the Festival company.”

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Does this apply to just the opening 2014 edition? Will we be expecting surprises for next year? After all, Ong had previously commented that he wouldn’t want to work with Lee after 2014.

A spokesperson for SIFA said that the statement refers to “all editions. For as long as she is CEO, she’ll lead the company, and for long as OKS is festival director, he’ll direct the festival.”

I’m not sure about the tenure for SIFA CEO, but a festival director is set for three years.

Now about that handshake photo op...

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