Every year on August 9, Singaporeans all over the world celebrates their National Day to commemorate Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. This year, Singapore marks its 53rd birthday by “We Are Singapore” theme.
This year National Day’s theme means to celebrate the people, the nation and the home. A pledge of unity and togetherness among Singapore’s diverse culture. “We” in this theme emphasises the collective, where regardless of the origins and wherever the Singaporeans are, and consider Singapore as the way of life and will always be the home.
To create a festive celebration, the holiday will feature a National Day Parade, an address by the Prime Minister and fireworks festival. The National Day Parade (NDP) is a national ceremony that is usually held at the National Stadium and for the first time in 2007, it was held at The Float @ Marina Bay.
On the official website, NDP Committee claimed the parade this year be exciting, engaging and emotive to celebrate the strength and unity of Singaporeans. NDP 2018 will bring together over 2,600 participants from different walks of life in a traditional and dignified parade.
Opening the Show to the thousands celebrating around the Marina Bay area, a water procession of 18 vessels comprising boats and floats will light up and sail around the bay. During the performance on stage, 12 Balloon Garlands, each 18 metres long will also gracefully deliver a magical and uplifting moment to represent our dreams and aspirations taking flight.
Furthermore, the NDP2018 will hold the show segment with an integrated film and mass display performance comprising three Acts and a Grand Finale. Putting on the mass displays are over 3, 300 committed performers from five Show partners.
Regarding the event and show, The NDP2018 has been declared an “enhanced security special event” under the Public Order Act. The area around Marina Bay has also been designated as a special event area with enhanced security measures, the police announced on Tuesday (Jul 31).
Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones will not be allowed in this area. Those convicted of the offence may be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to S$20,000 or both. “It is also an offence to fly a UAV outside of the Special Event Area in a manner that disrupts, interferes with, delays or obstructs the conduct of NDP 2018,” said the police as quoted by channelnewsasia.com.
Within the special event area, there is a special zone where stricter security checks will be conducted. All vehicles and anyone entering this area will be screened, and the police will have the power to refuse entry to or remove anyone from the special zone if necessary. The special event area and the special zone will take effect from midnight to 11.59pm on Aug 9. Should the parade take place on the reserved date, Aug 11, the Gazette will take effect on that day, the police said.
In line with this year’s theme, Singaporeans will find theme song both familiar and new. NDP 2018 has taken a fresh perspective on “We Are Singapore”, written in 1987, to be the NDP 2018 theme song.
The 1987 song is a declaration of unity by Singaporeans. Its chorus incorporated words from a speech from the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew to school principals in 1966:
“But whatever it is, ultimately the result that we want – and I am sure you must want this – is to produce a community that feels together. You know, on certain things it responds together: this is my country, this is my flag; this is my President; this is my future. I am going to protect it.”
Mr Lee Kuan Yew
29 August 1966
HAPPY 53rd NATIONAL DAY, SINGAPORE!
Sources: Wikipedia, ndp.org.sg, channelnewsasia.com