What to look out for at this year’s countdown

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s transition into the new year is set to retain its contemplative celebrative character, but this time, it will also feature Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebrations to mark the start of Singapore’s 50th anniversary.

SINGAPORE’S JOURNEY

A 3D projection mapping display on the Fullerton Hotel Singapore will feature a montage of sketches and graphics, depicting Singapore’s growth over the years. Jointly presented by the Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the projection will appear on the hotel half hourly from 8.15pm to 11.15pm starting today (Dec 26) and will last till Dec 30, which will be accompanied by music performed by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra with familiar local tunes Home and Bunga Sayang.

Titled Reflections of our Past, Present and Future, the two-minute projection starts off with images of kampongs, rickshaws and samsui women and slowly transforms to present-day Singapore, with public housing, transport systems and the city’s skyscrapers.

The projection will showcase an extended version at the same timings on New Year’s eve and a final run at 11.55pm, which will culminate in a two-minute show of five key historical milestones of Singapore. These milestones will include then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew declaring Singapore’s independence, the introduction of public housing, the beginning of national service, the rise of Singapore’s economy and Singapore’s development into one of the most liveable cities in the world.

This leads up to the countdown to midnight and an eight-minute spectacular firework display, which is specially choreographed to a score composed by local talents Julian Wong and Riduan Zalani and will feature close to 400 drummers who will perform at the lower boardwalk in front of the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.

Mr Clarence Yap, Head, Music, The Esplanade Co Ltd said, “Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2015 is very significant, being the 10th edition and also the first event to kick off the SG50 celebrations. We want everyone to reflect on the journey that Singaporeans have taken together and to tell this story through innovative ways using 3D projection, lighting, music and fireworks.”

WISHING SPHERES

A record of 25,000 red and white wishing spheres carrying wishes from the community have been set afloat in the Bay this year and will be lit from tomorrow until New Year’s Eve, transforming the installation into a stunning visual arts display. 5,000 red spheres have been added to the usual white spheres to form a giant number ‘50’ in the Bay.

THEMED LIGHTING

In addition, on New Year’s Eve, five buildings around Marina Bay — Ocean Financial Centre, OCBC Centre, Maybank Tower, One Raffles Place and Millenia Tower — will feature a synchronised themed lighting in our national colours. They will feature the number ‘50’ and the displays will take place for five minutes, half hourly from 8pm to 11.30pm.

The SG50 logo will also be displayed on the ArtScience Museum, on the underside of the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark and on Esplanade’s domes.

EVENTS HAPPENING

There will be both ticketed and non-ticketed events happening around the Bay.

Free events includes Esplanade’s Celebrate December music programmes held at the Concourse and Outdoor Theatre, a carnival happening at The Promontory held in conjunction with Celebrate with the World 2015 concert and the marina Waterfront Bazaar where the public can enjoy some light refreshments and shop from as early as 4pm.

Ticketed events will include Celebrate with the World 2015 held at The Promontory, tickets priced at S$10.

The spotlight event is the Celebrate SG50 concert organised by MediaCorp at The Float @ Marina Bay which will feature international and homegrown artists.