MAGICAL AURORA MAKES A RARE APPEARANCE RIGHT IN THE HEART OF SINGAPORE

Singapore will simulate a rare phenomenon in the polar regions, the Aurora, at this year's Christmas Light-up.

Through the creative use of holographic tubes, Orchard Road, Scotts Road and Tanglin Road will be transformed into a sea of celestial lights to bring the rarely seen Aurora effect to tropical Singapore.

Brought about by the interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar winds, the Aurora is a natural phenomenon of colourful displays of light across wintry skies, that is witnessed only in the Poles.

This year's theme, Frozen Aurora, is created by 80,000 holographic tubes and 2,000 projectors along Orchard, Scotts and Tanglin Roads. This dramatic effect will come to life on November 17, when President S R Nathan officiates at the Christmas Light-Up Ceremony at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.

The Christmas Light-up Ceremony is jointly organised by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The Christmas Light-up has been a regular platform to raise funds for the less fortunate. This year, the funds raised will be for 300,000 beneficiaries.

This marks the 14th year of collaboration between the NCSS and the STB in using the Christmas Light-up to raise funds for charity.

The mastermind behind the Frozen Aurora is Louis Clair, the international lighting designer who was behind last year's Icy Galaxy theme. Fascinated by the beautiful Aurora, Mr Clair's unique design breaks away from the decorations of previous years to achieve an entirely fresh look this year.

"The annual Christmas Light-up is a special event that we all look forward to because it marks the start of the holiday season. Locals and tourists look forward to the Christmas Light-up every year. It is a challenge, but each year, we strive to make the light-up even more outstanding by thinking of new and creative themes to bring more dramatic impact," said Mr Yeo Khee Leng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board.

Mr Yeo attributed the success of the Christmas Light-up to the unwavering support of its main sponsor, Hitachi, who has supported the Christmas Light-up and contributed funds to the NCSS for the past 10 years.

Mr Takashi Muraki, Managing Director of Hitachi Asia Ltd, said: "Hitachi believes that our responsibilities extend beyond business investments. Driven by our new corporate statement - Inspire the Next - we aim to create richer lives and a better society. As the main sponsor of the Christmas Light-up in Singapore's renowned Orchard Road, we believe in doing our part in helping the less fortunate and brightening up their lives."

For the next seven weeks from November 17 to January 5, the Christmas Light-up will go on between 7.00pm and midnight every night, and extend to 2.00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. On Christmas Eve and New Year's eve, the Light-up will be extended to 6.00am.

Organised in conjunction with the Christmas Light-up programme is the annual Best Decorated Building Competition. This year, 16 buildings will be vying for the title.

Christmas Light-up 2001 is one of the highlights under the Celebration Singapore extravaganza organised by STB. Four months of festivities will go on as planned as Singapore gears up for an almost non-stop extravaganza of festivals, parties, parades and performances. Other highlights include the Singapore River Buskers' Festival, The Million Dollar Duck Race 2001, Chingay Parade and new events such as the renowned Fabulous Faberge, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, the MTV Asia Awards and more.

FACTS

CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP 2001

Duration

From 17 November 2001 to 5 January 2002

Light-up Time

Sundays - Thursdays : 7.00pm to 12.00 midnight

Fridays - Saturdays : 7.00pm to 2.00 am

Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve : 7.30pm to 6.00 am

Switch-On Ceremony

Guest-of-honour : President S R Nathan

Date : Saturday, 17 November 2001

Time : 7.00pm

Place : Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City

Joint organisers : National Council of Social Service and

Singapore Tourism Board

Main Stretch

Orchard Road will be the focus of Christmas Light-up 2001.

All over-street decorations will concentrate on Orchard Road. Tanglin and

Scotts Road will be adorned with lamppost and tree decorations.

Organiser : Singapore Tourism Board

Main sponsor : Hitachi Group of Companies

Project Manager : Intraco Ltd

Some statistical information on Christmas Light-up 2001

· 4 Tonnes, the weight of the Arch

· 10.5 Metres, the height of the Arch

· 2,026 Projectors to create the 'light-up' effect

· 2,080 Man-hours to hand-roll the tubes

· 20,000 Metres of steel cable to support the holographic tubes

· 28,000 Metres of twisted fishing line to string the tubes

· 38,000 Cable lugs to hang the tubes on the trees

· 50, 000 Metres of electrical cables for the projectors

· 80, 000 holographic tubes to create the Aurora effect

BEST DECORATED BUIDLING COMPETITION

Some interesting facts about the competition:

· Over 80 buildings have participated in this competition since its inception in 1984.

· 16 buildings all across the island will be taking part in this year's competition.

· Novena Square Shopping Mall is participating for the first time this year.

· Tanglin Mall has been one of the top winners for the last five years.

· Scotts Shopping Centre will be participating for their 14th time.

· Raffles City Shopping Centre will be participating for their 15th time.