The bands from Clementi Primary School, Fuchun Primary School and Princess Elizabeth Primary School will be performing at the Open House.  There will also be a Bhangra Dance Performance, as well as a drum performance by Asia Ability Training Pte Ltd.  

      Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.  Others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person.  Entrance to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. 

      For an entrance fee of $2, members of the public can tour selected function rooms in the Istana building to view a display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries. 

      Istana souvenirs will be sold during the Open House.  Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to the Community Chest.

      As a precautionary measure against the swine flu, we urged members of the public who have recently travelled to affected areas or who are feeling unwell not to visit the Istana for the Open House on 1 May 2009.  You are advised to seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell.

About the Istana

      The Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore.  It occupies over 40 hectares of land along Orchard Road. 

      The Istana building was built by the British Colonial government to house its governors.  Completed in 1869, it was then known as the Government House.  The building was handed over to the Singapore Government when Singapore attained internal self government in 1959, and renamed Istana (“Palace” in Malay).

      The Istana building underwent extensive renovation between 1996 and 1998, to add more space and modern day conveniences.  The building today has six function rooms that are used for ceremonies and to receive guests.

      For more information on the Istana, please visit http://www.istana.gov.sg/