26 December 2006
Singaporeans all around the world invited to join in the celebrations at this year’s Marina Bay Countdown
They can catch live telecast of fireworks display on ChannelNewsAsia International and log on to Esplanade’s website to view recording of fireworks and make wishes for the New Year
Come 31st December, Singaporeans overseas will be able to usher in the New Year together with their friends, family and loved ones in Singapore during the Marina Bay Countdown.
Through a live telecast of the fireworks presentation on Channel NewsAsia International, Singaporeans in Asia, the Middle East and Australia who have access to the channel can do the countdown at the same time as their fellow Singaporeans here.
For Singaporeans in other regions who are unable to catch the live telecast, a recording of the fireworks display will be available on Esplanade’s website from 6 am on 1 January 2007 (Singapore time).
Besides this, Singaporeans all around the world will also be able to post their New Year wishes on virtual spheres at Esplanade’s website. These wishes will add on to those already penned by people in Singapore on 5,000 white spheres, which have been released into the waters of Marina Bay.
The spheres will be lit from 26 December 2006 and the light pouring into the bay will increase in intensity, culminating in a spectacular visual arts display, which will set the entire bay aglow on New Year’s Eve.
Said Benson Puah, CEO of The Esplanade Co Ltd: “The Marina Bay Countdown brings Singaporeans from all walks of life together in a contemplative celebration to collectively wish as a community. Through the live telecast and virtual wishes, we want to also involve Singaporeans who are overseas in this meaningful activity to unite everyone at that special moment when we welcome the New Year. In fact, to make this an even more meaningful event, we would like to invite non-Singaporeans around the world to also join us in our collective wish for peace and joy in the New Year.”
The live telecast of the Marina Bay Countdown on Channel NewsAsia International will start at 11.55pm on 31 December 2006 (Singapore time). To make a wish for the New Year, simply log on to Esplanade’s website at www.esplanade.com/mbc between 12 noon on 30 December 2006 and 12 am on 2 January 2007.
Besides making a wish and watching the spectacular fireworks display choreographed to original music by local musician Iskandar Ismail, visitors to the website can also view heartwarming video dedications gathered from people throughout Singapore.
The Marina Bay Countdown is jointly presented by Esplanade and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the development agency for Marina Bay. Started last year, this arts-focused event hopes to create a New Year’s Eve tradition, which is unique to Singapore and offers an opportunity for the community to bond in a meaningful way.
In addition to enjoying the artistic presentations and fireworks display, visitors to this year’s event can also look forward to an evening of performances by local artists like Singapore Idol alumni Daphne Khoo, Chinese songbird Kaira Gong and a cappella group Juz B, under Esplanade’s Celebrate December programme.
The Marina Bay Countdown 2006 is sponsored by Singapore Totalisator Board, One Raffles Quay and Singapore Labour Foundation and supported by Singapore Tourism Board.
About Marina Bay
Marina Bay is the future heart of Singapore’s downtown. It will provide Singapore with the opportunity for further urban transformation and attract new investments, visitors and talent, besides becoming a new destination for the local community. Extending seamlessly from the existing Central Business District (CBD), Marina Bay is set to become the new focal point that will take us into a new era where competition amongst global cities is intense. This seamless growth from the existing CBD, an asset few cities can offer, will create an exciting array of limitless opportunities for locals and foreigners alike, to live, work and play in. Marina Bay will be a place for people from all walks of life to explore, exchange and entertain.
URA as the Development Agency for Marina Bay also covers the Greater Marina Bay area. As the lead agency, URA is taking a holistic approach to spearhead initiatives, coordinate the physical planning of the sites and programming of events and activities, implement infrastructure, and promote and market the area. It works with relevant agencies and private stakeholders to ensure that the above functions are well coordinated and streamlined.
About Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is one of the world’s busiest arts centre, officially opened on 12 October 2002. This architectural icon with its distinctive twin shells, is sited within Singapore’s civic district, just by Marina Bay at the mouth of the Singapore River.
Esplanade aims to be a performing arts centre for everyone, and its programmes cater to its diverse audiences. Its programme line-up spans all genres to encompass music, dance, theatre and visual arts, with a special focus on Asian culture.
Esplanade houses world-class performance spaces, supported by a comprehensive range of professional support facilities and services. Its two main venues are the 1,600-seat Concert Hall, with acoustics by Russell Johnson of ARTEC Consultants, and the 2,000-seat theatre, an adaptation of traditional European opera houses in horseshoe form.
In the past year, Esplanade has welcomed over seven million visitors and hosted over 1,900 performances.
Jointly issued by The Esplanade Co Ltd and Urban Redevelopment Authority
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