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President Halimah Yacob to launch the Singapore Bicentennial Commemorative Note at the Istana Open House
29 May 2019
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In celebration of Hari Raya Puasa, the Istana grounds will be open to the public on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, from 8.30am – 6.00pm.
Singapore Bicentennial Commemoration
The theme for this Open House will be the Singapore Bicentennial. President Halimah Yacob will be launching the Singapore Bicentennial commemorative note issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which depicts Singapore’s journey to nationhood and pays tribute to our forebears who laid the foundations for modern Singapore. The President’s Office has also collaborated with the Singapore Bicentennial Office to bring an exhibition featuring Singapore’s 700-year history to the Istana Open House.
Exciting Programme Line-up
In line with the theme of the Singapore Bicentennial, this Hari Raya Istana Open House will feature an array of communities who have been a part of, and contributed to, the nation over the years. These community partners, including Sree Narayana Mission and The Peranakan Association, will showcase their long history and also their role in our nation-building.
Various schools which have undertaken special projects to commemorate the Singapore Bicentennial will also be setting up booths at this Open House. For example, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School will showcase different stories of how education improved the lives of Singaporean women and empowered them over the years.
Apart from community partners, visitors to the Open House can look forward to an exhibition that explores Singapore’s 700-year history. Through the exhibition, they can partake in a series of interactive activities to better understand the places, people and events that have shaped us into the nation we are today.
Visitors will also be treated to a variety of cultural performances by Singapore Ceylon Tamil Association, Chongfu Primary School, Tao Nan Primary School, and Singapore Malayalee Association.
Exhibition and Tours
Visitors will be able to see the Istana’s rich flora, fauna and biodiversity via the Nature Guided Walk. Guests can also participate in a guided tour of the Istana main building to view selected function rooms, and collections of State Gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister.
The public can learn more Singapore’s history and heritage at the Istana Heritage Gallery, situated at Istana Park (opposite the main gate of the Istana along Orchard Road). The Istana Heritage Gallery will be open from 10am to 6pm.
Admission Details
Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. All others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $2 per person. Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
Additional fees as specified in Annexes B and C are applicable for the guided tours.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
29 MAY 2019
ANNEX A
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF ISTANA OPEN HOUSE
Overall Programme
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Istana Merchandise, Snacks and Drinks Booths by NCSS | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Istana Snacks and Drinks Booths by NCSS | Tent near Ceremonial Plaza |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Merchandise Booth by NCSS | Istana Building |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Balloon Sculpting Booth by the SingTel Recreation Club | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Display of birds by the Wildlife Reserves of Singapore | Centre Gate |
10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Istana Garden Walk Mobile Phone Application Booth by Temasek Polytechnic | Centre Gate |
10.00 am – 6.00 pm | Udders Ice Cream Booth | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Istana Main Building Self-guided Tour | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
9.00 am – 3.00 pm | Istana Main Building Guided Tour by National Heritage Board | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Nature Guided Walk organised by NParks | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
Performances | ||
9.35 am – 9.50 am | Indian Dance Performance by Singapore Ceylon Tamil Association | Ceremonial Plaza |
9.55 am – 10.10 am | Choir Performance by Tao Nan School | Ceremonial Plaza |
10.30 am – 10.45 am | Angklung Performance by Jiemin Primary School | Ceremonial Plaza |
11.00 am – 11.20 am | Malay Dance Performance by Millennia Institute | Ceremonial Plaza |
11.15 am – 11.25 am | Malay Dance by Zhenghua Secondary School | Lower Lawn |
11.50 am – 12.20 pm | Guzheng Performance by Chongfu School | Ceremonial Plaza |
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm | Band Performance by Rosyth School | Main Tent |
1.30 pm – 2.30 pm | Angklung Performance by Opera Estate Primary School | Ceremonial Plaza |
3.30 pm – 5.00 pm | Chinese Orchestra Performance by Marsiling Chinese Orchestra | Main Tent |
4.30 pm – 5.00 pm | Cultural Dance Performance by Singapore Malayalee Association | Ceremonial Plaza |
ANNEX B
FEES FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE ISTANA MAIN BUILDING
The following fees are applicable for the tours of the state room, banquet hall and reception room in the Istana main building:
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Unguided | Guided* |
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 | |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $12.00 |
Others | ||
Children( 4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $30.00 |
*ISTANA MAIN BUILDING GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours are conducted by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board. The tours are limited to 15 persons per group, and depart every 20 minutes from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. All fees collected will be donated to charity.
ANNEX C
FEES FOR NATURE GUIDED WALK AT THE ISTANA
The following fees are applicable for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana:
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Guided* |
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 |
Package for family of four | $12.00 |
Others | |
Children( 4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | $30.00 |
*Guided tours are conducted by volunteers and are limited to between 12 to 15 persons per group, and depart every hour from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
All fees collected will be donated to charity.