Vibrant Singapore prepares for 1800 event days

Singapore prepares itself for an unprecedented period of vibrancy and festivities between September and December. From the arts to sports, Singapore's calendar will be filled with over 1, 800 event days for the last quarter of this year.

The excitement starts with for Art's sake! (fAs!) from 1 September to 16 November. This annual festival, now in its fourth year, is a concentrated period of visual and performing arts. This time round, fAs! offers more than 100 events throughout its 11-week run. 

The highlight of fAs! will be the opening of the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay on the 12 October, marked by a luminary three-week opening festival until November 3. Esplanade's opening world premiere, Reminiscing the Moon, by acclaimed Asian choreographer Boi Sakti and the Singapore Dance Theatre, sets the tone for Singapore as a showcase of world-class performances within Asia. Other big names such as The New York and London Philharmonic orchestras, Jessye Norman and Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern, will be part of the Esplanade's opening festival. 

Said Director of Events Marketing, Lim Chwee Seng: "This year, Singapore has about 7000 event days to offer visitors and locals, so whatever day it is in the year, there is certainly something to do. Year 2002 is especially exciting because we will see the opening of the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay."

The World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD), returns for the fifth year to Fort Canning Park, from 30 August to 1 Sep. WOMAD, which began in 1982, is now the world's largest international music festival. WOMAD Singapore, which attracted a 16,000-strong audience last year, will feature 14 groups from 14 countries. 

On 21 September, renowned soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, performs with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. From 11 to 15 October, ARTSingapore - the world's only Asian contemporary art fair - takes place to showcase art pieces from 37 international galleries.

In sports, Singapore hosts the inaugural Singapore International 24-hour Endurance Kart Race from 7 to 8 September, in Sentosa. Positioned as the region's flagship race, the event is the second in the world to have received endorsement from the Commission Internationale De Karting - the world's highest kart race governing authority. Over 40 teams will compete, including entrants from Singapore, UK, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Hot on the heels of the kart race will be the eagerly anticipated unveiling of Singapore's famous tourism icon, the Merlion. Restored and relocated to a new home on a promontory adjacent to One Fullerton, the icon will stand in a 2,500 square metre park. The unveiling ceremony and the inauguration of the new Merlion Park will take place on 15 September, which also marks the 30th anniversary of the Merlion.

Concurrently, the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place from 14 to 21 September. This year, celebrations will feature activities along Orchard Road, Singapore River, Albert Mall and Chinatown. By then, the redevelopment of Kreta Ayer Square will be completed as well and coincide with the opening of the festival in Chinatown.

The year rounds up with more revelling during Celebration Singapore (CS), a four-month festival which starts on 2 November. CS is now synonymous with street light ups during the ethnic festivals, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and the Lunar New Year. Familiar favourites such as the Singapore River Buskers' Festival and Million Dollar Duck Race will also ensure that there is no shortage of events along the river district. 

Other keynote performances are Jose Carreras on 2 December, and Singing in the Rain from 13 November at the Esplanade. Sporting events during December's CS include the Tiger Skins and Ballatine Legends (two golfing events), the Singapore International Marathon, Singapore International Dragon Boat Regatta and the Tiger Cup 2002 (soccer).