SINGAPORE: The National Stadium on Tuesday (9 Aug) turned into a sea of red and white once more, as it played host to the National Day Parade (NDP) again after a ten-year hiatus.
Many traditional crowd favourites, like the military tattoo and state flag flypast were retained this year, but the new stadium’s facilities also gave organisers the opportunity to incorporate new elements like 3D displays and aerial performances.
(Photo: Alicia Tantriady)
The theme of this year’s NDP is “Building our Singapore of Tomorrow” – intended, according to parade organisers, to be “a call to action for Singaporeans to build the Singapore of the future.” But there was also a look back to the past, as organisers commemorated the significance of the National Stadium with a video recounting its history.
There was a clear sense of anticipation in the air as the pre-show activities kicked off at 6pm. Some 55,000 spectators waved their flags and sang along to a medley of National Day songs led by local band 53A, who also performed this year’s theme song, Tomorrow’s Here Today.
(Photo: Alicia Tantriady)
There had also been anticipation that Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat would make his first public appearance since suffering a stroke on May 12. However, Mr Heng said earlier today that he would not attend the parade after all, as doctors had advised him to avoid crowded places. He added that he would catch the parade on TV at home.
At the parade, Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers arrived, decked out in red and white, and waving flags. A rousing welcome greeted the new MPs who were elected during last year’s General Election.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arriving at the National Day Parade. (Photo: Xabryna Kek)
The parade then welcomed President Tony Tan Keng Yam, and everyone in the stadium rose for the singing of the national anthem and the flypast of the state flag. For the first time this year, the flag was flown along Singapore’s southern coast, which also allowed Singaporeans gathered at other locations like the Marina Bay Floating Platform and Gardens by the Bay for the singing of the national anthem.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam taking part in the ceremonial drive-past at the National Day Parade. (Photos: Xabryna Kek)
The audience in the seating gallery also unfurled their own flags as they sang the national anthem, which organisers said is meant to symbolise how each citizen contributes to nation building. And instead of the traditional march-past of the parade contingent, this year, contingents marched up the stadium aisles and through the spectator stands – bringing the parade closer to the audience.
(Photos: Alicia Tantriady)
The legend of Badang, a Malay folk hero, and the Singapore Stone kicked off the show segment. In a show of strength meant to symbolise the resilience that has helped Singapore through challenges of the past, spectators were wowed by the sight of Badang flying to a height of 30 metres.
(Photos: Xabryna Kek)
Another stunning moment came when an automated aerial unicorn flew against a backdrop of rainbow-coloured lights produced by the LED wristbands worn by spectators.
(Photos: Xabryna Kek)
The flying unicorn is a nod to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who likened Singapore to a "unicorn" - one of a kind. The boy riding the unicorn is seven-year-old Kai, son of blogger Benjamin Lee, better known as "Mr Miyagi".
The segment also symbolised the hopes and dreams of the younger generation – an apt theme in light of the next segment: a video showcasing the Singapore athletes competing at the ongoing Rio Olympics.
Joseph Schooling leads the #Rio2016 #oneteamsg contingent in wishing Singapore a happy birthday!
Another sight that drew oohs and ahs from the crowd: A floating island called Sky City, featuring iconic buildings like Changi Airport and the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.
(Photos: Alicia Tantriady)
Inclusivity was also a big theme of the night. For the first time, the show featured a song-signing segment, where more than 150 participants with special needs from seven voluntary welfare organisations hand-signed the lyrics of familiar NDP tunes like Home and Count on Me Singapore.
(Photos: Xabryna Kek)
(Photo: Linette Lim)
And as the 55,000 spectators rose to recite the pledge and sing the national anthem once more at the show’s finale, the stadium lit up with a dazzling display of indoor fireworks – the largest-scale indoor fireworks at the National Stadium yet – a fitting end to the NDP’s return to Kallang.
(Photos: Calvin Oh)
- CNA/dt
