PRESIDENT’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE
14 OCTOBER 2009

ISTANA OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2009

The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Saturday, 17 October 2009, to celebrate Deepavali.  Opening hours are from 8.30am to 6.00pm.

The school bands from Nan Hua Primary School (南华小学) and Zhonghua Secondary School (中华中学) will be performing at the Open House.  There will also be an Indian dance performance put up by PA Talents.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to get up close to several species of birds, specially flown in from the Jurong Bird Park. 
 
Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.  Others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 each.  Entrance to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.  The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut. 

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, at an entrance fee of $2. 

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

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 the bustling 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 used for ceremonies and to receive guests.

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