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A Sneak Peak Into S’pore Day, London
Singapore Day in London draws the crowds. Some 12,000 people turn up for event that celebrates all things Singaporean.
Britain’s busiest train station reverberated with lots of “lahs” and “lors” yesterday morning. Scores of Singaporeans were there to catch trains for south-west London. They were headed for Hampton Court Palace where this year’s Singapore day was held.
Neurosurgeon Vinothini Apok, 28, who has lived in Britain for nine years, said: ”I am looking forward to being among the unique social mix that defined my childhood and early adolescence again.”
Some 12,000 Singaporeans who live and work in Britain, and even from other parts of Europe, attended the event organised by the Government at an estimated cost of S$6million. A small army of hawkers, performers, civil servants and other support staff was flown in to pull it off.
The grounds of the palace were turned into a mini version of Singapore, with areas marked “Clarke Quay”, “Tanglin”, “Katong”, “Dempsey hill” and “Lau Pa Sat”.
Filmmaker Eric Khoo, the event’s creative director, had overseen every detail. His tongue-in-cheek touches included an ERP(Electronic Road Pricing) gantry at the main entrance and, in the goodie bags distributed, packets of wet wipes labelled “Chope!”
The space was designed around displays and interactive installations to update Singaporeans on the latest developments back home, from education to national service.
People could sign up to become volunteers at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games which will be held in Singapore, or join one of the Singapore associations abroad.
Singapore employers were also on hand recruiting for jobs in health care, law, finance and the public sector.
What clearly marked it as a Singaporean event, however, was the food. For many, it was the highlight of the day.
Orderly queues formed at stalls where hawkers hand-picked by food guru K.F. Seetoh dished out plate after plate of some of the Republic’s finest street food: 328 Katong Laksa, Hill Street Char Kway Teow, Wee Nam Kee chicken rice, Casuarina Prata and Abdul Salam Indian rojak.
The crowd then sat on picnic mats to be entertained by homegrown artistes at a show hosted by Adrian Pang and Michelle Chong. The food and in-jokes were well received but many had come for something more - a piece of home.
Ms Mee Lee Thean, a programme coordinator in Amsterdam, had made the trip to London with her Dutch husband. “Having lived in Europe for almost 10 years has not changed me at all and I am still very much a Singaporean,” said the 47-year-old.
Mr Chew Chee Keong, 30, had flown in from Geneva, where he works for the World Health Organisation. Living abroad has added an extra dimension to his identity as a Singaporean, he said. “When talking to colleagues or friends of other nationalities, I feel an enthusiasm and a great sense of pride to share with them what makes this little red dot that we call home, and where our roots are so special to me.”
There are some 150,000 Singaporeans living abroad. The first Singapore Day, held in New York’s Central Park in 2007, drew 6,000, and the one in Melbourne last year attracted 11,000.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, who toured the venue wearing a red hoodie sporting the event logo, “I (Heart) SG”, said: “We have a big Singaporean diaspora overseas, and in good times or bad, we should continue to keep in touch with them.
Find out more of this event at:http://www.overseassingaporean.sg/video/sgday2009.html
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