SG 50

On the 9th August Singapore will celebrate the 50th anniversary of becoming an independent nation. It has been christened SG50, short for Singapore's 50 birthday of course.
For the past year, if not longer, plans have been developed and decided on as to how best to mark and celebrate the occasion. To most people's delight an extra public holiday was declared, to be held on the 10th August, a Monday, thereby creating a four day weekend

               








Over the last few weeks the excitement has been building and is now reaching fever pitch as the big weekend approaches.  Flags and posters have been going up everywhere, on buildings, in cars and across roads.

Yesterday I was given an apple for free at the supermarket checkout, in celebration of SG50 

The condo that we live in has been draped with banners including this one. Written on it is Majulah Singapura which is Malay for 'Onward Singapore', words from the national anthem

 

Every Singapore Citizen child born in 2015 will receive a special Jubilee Gift pack, which includes a Commemorative Medallion, a scrapbook, some children's books, a diaper bag, some baby clothes, a baby sling, a multi functional shawl and a family photo frame  

Every year Singapore holds a National Day Parade on the 9th August and in the weeks leading up everything that will happen on the day is practiced to ensure the day's events will be perfect.
Last Saturday evening we had dinner with friends at a roof top restaurant which has an excellent view of the Singapore River and colonial area in the hopes of catching sight of some of the planes practicing their display. We were treated to a complete run through of their display.

First came the Singaporean flag, suspended from a Chinook helicopter and flanked by 2 other helicopters, then a 'bomb burst' performed by the Black Knights and then a procession of planes, commercial and military

 

and more helicopters

and my favourite; the Republic of Singapore Airforce in a 50 formation flypast

The sun sets very quickly in the topics and only a short while later it was dark and the firework display started, my photos do not do the display justice which was very impressive, cleverly synchronised and lasted for ages. Fireworks went off from the roof of many buildings, including the Marina Bay Sands and several of the tallest buildings around

and a number of buildings were lit up with special displays

Hundreds of special events are planned around the country; picnics, concerts and carnivals over the Jubilee weekend. Many of the Museums and Heritage Centres will be free for Singaporean citizens to visit ( but not expats or tourists) and places such as the Gardens by the Bay and Esplanade have special programmes on.

There is quite a party atmosphere developing and it may seem a bit strange that we are planning to go away for the weekend! We along with many others, both expat and Singaporeans, will be taking advantage of having four days off and going away for a  few days exploring another part of South East Asia. 

 However I wish all Singaporeans a very happy 50th and hope they have a great time celebrating this small but great country