The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 3 August 2008 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 2008
2 The Istana Art Event, which is in its eighth year, 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 Nathan will present prizes to the winners.
3 This year, the Istana Art Event will also feature the “An Orchard of Windmills” installation, to be set up by first year Architecture students from the National University of Singapore. The installation comprises thousands of windmills featuring designs by students aged 3 to 16 years old. The Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Philatelic Museum and National Archives of Singapore have also lined up a wide range of art and heritage activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Other Highlights
4 The SAF Music and Drama Company will be putting up a “National Day Bonanza” show. Visitors will also be entertained by the bands from Cedar Primary School and River Valley High School, as well as the RGS Indian Orchestra.
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.
6 For a fee of $2, visitors can also 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. The sale of tickets for this tour will close at 5.30pm (subject to crowd situation).
7 Visitors to the Istana are advised to dress neatly, and to avoid wearing singlet, shorts and / or slippers.
Contribution to Charity
8 ComChest will be selling Istana souvenirs at their booths in the Istana grounds. All entrance fees collected and proceeds from the sale of souvenirs will be donated to the President’s Challenge.
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For more information on the Istana Art Event, please refer to Singapore Art Museum’s press release attached at Annex 1.
About the Istana
The Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore. It occupies over 100 acres 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/