While the National Day celebrations are not in full swing yet, there are already a variety of national-themed festivals for the eager ones. Admire the beautiful national flower Vanda 'Miss Joaqim' at the Gardens By The Bay, or pen a birthday wish for Singapore at Sentosa with other fellow well-wishers!
Rudram is a dance worship (aradhana) performed for the purpose of connecting and bonding with the divine, Shiva—who is recognised as the absolute truth (satya), love (sneha) and bliss (ananda)—and whom choreographer Neewin Hershall dedicates this complete bharatanatyam routine (maargam) to.
With pure devotion (bhakti), he immerses himself in the consciousness of Shiva, while revelling in the bliss of the sages, religious devotees and wise men who have attained that absolute connection.
When: July 29
Where: Esplanade
Entry: S$18-25
Poetry Festival Singapore is a multilingual, multicultural, multi-generational platform for poets and poetry enthusiasts.
The festival will feature written and spoken word in the island’s four official languages – English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
When: July 29-30
Where: Various places in Singapore
Entry: Free to S$38
So Singapore is a 1.5 months long celebration of the country' birthday.
The Artisan Bazaar is happening this weekend, where you can shop for a delightful array of vintage goods and handmade collectibles, and pick up gifts like Handmade Zen figurines, Grandfather Clocks, Dreamcatchers, Recycled Tins with Functional lights, Hand Wax Modeling and Handmade Miniature Clay Dollhouses.
You can also Pen-A-Wish for Singapore, and try your hands at traditional kampong games!
When: July 29-30
Where: Sentosa
Entry: Free
For the uninitiated, Singapore's national flower is Vanda 'Miss Joaquim', or otherwise known as the Singapore orchird. The “Orchid Extravaganza” floral display tells the story of Singapore through the motif of a butterfly’s life cycle. Stunning orchids in myriad shapes and colours will fill a landscape depicting the stages of a butterfly’s growth, including a ‘Chrysalis’ structure in the main Flower Field.
Visitors can look forward to seeing orchid varieties such as Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Dendrobium, Grammatophyllum and many others. There will also be a sculpture of 52 butterflies – in celebration of Singapore's 52nd National Day – in the shape of Singapore.
When: July 29-30
Where: Gardens By The Bay
Entry: S$8-28
Ignite! is one of the largest annual music festivals in Singapore, and it is a student-driven event involving over 300 students from Republic Polytechnic.
This year's lineup includes, among others, includes ShiGGa Shay, THELIONCITYBOY, LEW, Jasmine Sokko.
When: July 29
Where: Republic Polytechnic
Entry: Free
