The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 2 August 2009 from 8.00am to 6.00pm, to celebrate National Day. This Open House in August incorporates the annual Istana Art Event.
The Istana Art Event 2009
2 The Istana Art Event includes an on-the-spot art competition. Registration for the competition will take place from 8.00am to 9.00am, and entries are to be submitted by 11.00am. President S R Nathan will present prizes to the winners.
3 This year, the Istana Art Event will feature the “Canopy of Dreams” installation, to be put together by first year Architecture students from the National University of Singapore. The installation comprises 1,000 umbrellas featuring designs by students from pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools, a special-needs school and a polytechnic, who pen down their aspirations for the nation. The Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum of Singapore and Philatelic Museum have also lined up a wide range of art and heritage activities for the whole family to enjoy. For more details on the Istana Art Event, please refer to the press release issued by the Singapore Art Museum (enclosed at Annex 1).
Other Highlights
4 There will be entertaining performances put up by the SAF Music and Drama Company, Swiss Cottage Secondary School’s NCC Command Band Swiss Winds and Maha Bodhi School Band, as well as Singabeat by the People’s Association.
Admission Details
5 Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Others visitors need to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person. Entrance to the Istana is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
6 For a fee of $2, visitors 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.
7 If you are unwell, please do not visit the Open House. If you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose and sore throat, you are advised to wear a mask and visit the nearest Pandemic Preparedness Clinic or your family doctor if you have not already done so.
Contribution to Charity
8 Istana souvenirs will be sold during the Open House. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to charity.
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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 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/