In a significant initiative commemorating Singapore’s 60th birthday, a group of overseas Singaporeans are preparing to organize a celebratory event themed ‘A Legacy of 60 Years’ in the San Francisco Bay Area on September 21.
Among those involved is Joy Chee, a 19-year-old second-year computer animation student at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida, who has been sketching the iconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.
Chee is one of the many volunteers from SingaporeConnect, a non-profit organization dedicated to hosting cultural events for Singaporeans living abroad.
Richard Chan, one of the event’s co-chairs, emphasizes that this is SingaporeConnect’s most ambitious project yet, with expectations of drawing around 3,000 attendees supported by a volunteer team of 100 to 150.
“This event will be a good opportunity to showcase what Singapore looks like, and who Singaporeans are,” said Tabitha Chee, Joy’s mother and co-chair of the event.
The team has already started gathering archival materials and images for the exhibition while currently in Singapore.
SingaporeConnect is collaborating with the Singapore Global Network (SGN) to secure funding for the event, although the exact amount remains confidential.
This celebration is part of over 30 global National Day events planned in various locations, including Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
Chan compares the vision of SingaporeConnect to the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley, where it is common to dream big and work through challenges—a mindset that reflects the aspirations tied to the SG60 event.
Previous events had included live-streams designed to connect Singaporeans across multiple cities in America, particularly during the pandemic.
The concept of the event’s theme was created by chef Emily Lim, owner of Dabao SG, a Singaporean restaurant in San Francisco.
Having moved to the West Coast eleven years ago, Lim draws inspiration from her childhood experiences in Singapore, aiming to evoke nostalgia among attendees.
She recalls local memories such as playing in dragon-shaped playgrounds and enjoying affordable school canteen meals.
The event features themed rooms that take visitors through significant milestones in Singapore’s history, including the arrival of Sang Nila Utama in 1299, British colonial rule in 1819, the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, and Singapore’s remarkable post-independence growth since 1965.
Joy Chee, who is leading the artistic direction for the event, admits her limited knowledge of Singapore’s history before this project.
Her mother, who emigrated to the United States in 1999, provided a crucial historical context that Joy supplemented with her own research.
To accurately represent various eras artistically, she plans to incorporate different art styles to reflect the timeline of Singapore’s history.
For instance, the room portraying British colonial Singapore will mimic traditional British painting techniques rather than the lighter traditional Asian art styles.
In addition to exploring history, the event will have a performance area showcasing Singaporean talent.
Janice Chua, an associate producer of the film ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, will share insights about her work in the movie industry, while Elisha Tan, a Singaporean comedian based in the Bay Area, will present a stand-up comedy show.
Visitors can also enjoy a taste of Singapore through various traditional dishes served in a dining area designed to resemble a local kopitiam, complete with satay, chicken rice, kopi, and teh, with live teh tarik demonstrations.
For shopping enthusiasts, a marketplace will be available to feature Singaporean entrepreneurs and brands, providing a unique opportunity to buy souvenirs.
Emily Lim expresses her vision of fostering community among Singaporeans living overseas, wishing for greater engagement among them.
“With my long experience abroad, it’s important to foster shared connections,
image source from：straitstimes
