Presenting Partner for Singapore 2006 Diaspora
Special Cultural Performance for Delegates Attending Singapore 2006
Singapore Performance Company to Develop Asian Production for International Audience
Delegates attending the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group, the highlight in Singapore 2006, will be treated to a specially commissioned opening cultural performance titled Diaspora. A brand-new work by TheatreWorks (Singapore) and directed by Ong Keng Sen, Diaspora is an intercultural, interdisciplinary production with a strong Asian focus, showcasing the very best and brightest from Singapore and ASEAN countries. Diaspora will be shown from 18 to 21 September 2006 at the Esplanade.
A sweeping panoramic docu-performance based on the Chinese saying, "To seek a better life by crossing the Four Seas", Diaspora explores the diasporic phenomenon of the human spirit in both time and space. Through the life-stories and works of five visual artists, Navin Rawanchaikul (India), Dinh Le (Vietnam), Tintin Wulia (Indonesia), Zai Kuning (Singapore) and Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria), it examines and celebrates humanity and human tenacity.
Told through documentaries, video images, music, narratives and dance, the personal stories of the production's five protagonists aim to strike a strong emotional chord with the audience. Issues concerning globalisation, the formation of new cultural roots and tackling the enormity of change are underscored by a musical-scape that showcases music from Asia. Music is key, representing a continuum in the diasporic phenomenon in Asia.
Spanning 2,000 years of Chinese music in history, and ranging from folk music to contemporary compositions, the music will be played by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, led by Yeh Tsung, in consultation with a renowned Chinese musicologist, Prof Li Xi An. Japanese soundscape composer and artist, Toru Yamanaka, strings the musical piece together, with a special showcase of Gambang Kromong (a musical form found only in the outskirts of present-day Jakarta) in the form of Rinu Malam with 80-year-old singer, Masnah. More information on the artists can be found in Annex 1.
Goh Chye Boon, Co-Chairman of the Singapore 2006 Organising Committee, said, "We chose this theme because the stories demonstrate the strength and determination of the human spirit, which is the main driving force for the success behind Asia's development and growth. Diaspora is a celebration of human resilience, diversity, capabilities and vibrancy of our people."
DBS Bank Ltd is the Presenting Partner for this specially-commissioned performance, as well as Lead Partner and first bank partner of Singapore 2006. Its partnership with Singapore 2006 celebrates the shared history between nation and bank, the progress both have made, and the bank's commitment to be part of a rapidly growing Asia. Jackson Tai, Vice Chairman and CEO of DBS, said, "The work showcases those who returned home after the Asia Diaspora to build a better tomorrow. As DBS extends its banking franchise into the region, we remain committed towards building a better tomorrow for Singapore and Asia."
Performances on 18 and 19 September are by invitation for the delegates of the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank only. Performances on 20 and 21 September will be open to the public, with tickets available at SISTIC from June 2006 onwards.
About Singapore 2006: Global City. World of Opportunities.
Singapore will host the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in September 2006. The Annual Meetings will be the largest international financial sector conference ever hosted by Singapore.
Along with the Annual Meetings, approximately over 200 meetings and seminars will also take place from September 13 to 20, 2006. These include the G-7 Finance Ministers' Meeting, the Programme of Seminars, the Per Jacobsson Lecture and the Group of Thirty International Banking Seminar. The Annual Meetings, together with the series of prominent international forums, meetings, seminars, events and the inaugural Singapore Biennale 2006 (a 2-month visual arts extravaganza from September 4 to November 12, 2006), are collectively known as Singapore 2006.
Singapore 2006 is a showcase of Singapore's collective capabilities and an expression of our aspirations for the future - a global city with a world of opportunities. The series of events will highlight Singapore as a cosmopolitan society, and a dynamic, well-connected and entrepreneurial economy with tremendous opportunities in the financial, business, technology, social as well as arts and culture arenas.
Singapore 2006 is expected to attract more than 16,000 participants, including delegates from 184 countries such as heads of government, finance ministers and central bank governors, top financiers, international media, business leaders and other visitors.
About the National Arts Council, Singapore
The National Arts Council (NAC) was established in September 1991 to spearhead the development of the arts in Singapore. To realise its vision of developing Singapore into a distinctive global city for the arts, NAC provides total support to nurture artistic talent, promotes the practice and appreciation of the arts among Singaporeans, builds up capabilities and resources, facilitates internationalisation and advocates the value of the arts.
Through its holistic range of programmes and initiatives to develop the entire arts value chain, the Council champions the growth of a vibrant arts sector where the arts is accessible to all, and the community of artists, arts groups and arts businesses can innovate, excel and achieve sustainability in the long term.
About DBS Bank Ltd
Headquartered in Singapore, DBS is one of the largest financial services groups in Asia. The largest bank in Singapore and the fifth largest banking group in Hong Kong as measured by assets, DBS' "AA-" and "Aa2" credit ratings are among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. DBS has leading positions in consumer banking, treasury and markets, asset management, securities brokerage, equity and debt fund raising. Beyond the anchor markets of Singapore and Hong Kong, DBS serves corporate, institutional and retail customers through its operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and The Philippines. In China, the bank has branches and representative offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Tianjin, Dongguan and Hangzhou. More information about DBS Group Holdings and DBS Bank can be obtained from our website
www.dbs.com.
About TheatreWorks (Singapore)
TheatreWorks (Singapore) was established in 1985. It is an international performance company based in Singapore, known for its reinvention of traditional performance through a juxtaposition of cultures, along with its cutting edge productions that set new benchmarks for artistic excellence. Its works reflect a concern with cultural negotiation and artistic exchanges with artists, through a network of traditional and contemporary artists from different disciplines.
In September 2005, TheatreWorks opened a new space, 72-13, at Mohamed Sultan Road. 72-13's primary purpose is to encourage collaborations, house residencies from artists around the world and to encourage hybrid creative expressions from young Singaporeans. The company also expanded to include the International Centre of Asian Arts (ICAA) and the Singapore Creative Arts Nucleus (SCAN). ICAA is a R&D Centre, a performance centre, a forum and a platform for Asia's expression and its relationship to the rest of the world while SCAN is an incubator for emerging creatives.
www.theatreworks.org.sg, www.72-13.com
Above release was issued jointly by Singapore 2006 and National Arts Council (March 21, 2006).
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