SINGAPORE — The Republic’s celebration of its 50th birthday next year will kick off this New Year’s Eve with a countdown at Marina Bay, and last for an entire year.

Apart from highlights such as the SEA Games and the National Day Parade, Singaporeans will be able to go on the Jubilee Walk, a walking trail that covers historic locations, and celebrate 50 endearing places by co-creating content under the SG Heart Map. These are just highlights from events stretching throughout the year. Existing annual events like Chingay and the Singapore International Festival of the Arts will also be roped in as part of the SG50 celebrations.

The golden thread underlying all the events in the year-long celebration is the essence of Singaporean-ness and the journey Singapore has made so far, said Ms Indranee Rajah, co-chair of the SG50 Programme Office.

The committee is also engaging Singaporeans to drive group-up initiatives under the SG50 Celebration Fund. Since January, the fund has received over 100 proposals on celebrating the jubilee year. Fourteen proposals have been accepted so far, among them is Community Quilts which will stitch together photographs of residents in their neighbourhood to form large family portraits that will be exhibited.