These are the 10 iconic buildings in Singapore to be splashed red and white this National Day

Head downtown this August as our National Monuments and arts and cultural institutions across the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) Precinct and the Civic District light up in national colours – in commemoration of the city-state’s 55th birthday!

Chosen due to their integral significance to nation-building, these buildings play a part of shaping our core values and proudest achievements as a small country, representing different chapters of the journey we’ve had to go through to arrive at Singapore as it is today.

Singapore’s Heritage & Culture

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), National Gallery Singapore and National Museum will be illuminated in various shades of our national colours to encourage and inspire Singaporeans this National Day.

As a tribute to our humble beginnings, the Singapore River-facing façade of ACM will be lit in alternating swathes of red and white light.

The exterior of National Gallery Singapore’s veiled canopy which faces the Padang will feature visual projections of 60 original artworks by local artists. In addition, selected artworks inspired by the National Collection will form a rotating projection on the Gallery’s central veiled canopy.

National Gallery Singapore

At the National Museum, the entirety of the museum will be blanketed in a special projection of the National Day 2020 theme: “Together, A Stronger Singapore” in all four official languages.

National Museum of Singapore

National Monuments

As a tribute to the different communities who have chosen to make the little red dot their home, the four National Monuments in the historic BBB Precinct will be bathed in the colours of brotherhood and virtue.

The Armenian Church is the oldest Christian church built here in Singapore, and serves as a reminder of the contributions of the small but influential Armenian community who were amongst the earliest merchants and traders to arrive in Singapore firmly establishing the country’s status as a trading port in 1819.

Photo by armeniansinasia.org

CHIJMES, the Central Fire Station, known as the oldest surviving fire station in Singapore, as well as the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the oldest Catholic Church in Singapore will be bathed in patriotic colours as well.

Singapore’s Arts Scene

From now till the end of August, the Esplanade’s spiky domes will be painted in red and white lighting designs, with the National Lion Head symbol added on on the ninth of August, in honour of our National Animal.

The Esplanade Forecourt Garden facing the Padang will also be splashed with our nation’s colour in the first three weeks of August followed by shades of blue and lavender till Moonfest – Esplanade’s Mid-Autumn festival.

Believed to be the oldest surviving building and the first home of Singapore’s Parliament, the Arts House will depict two breathtaking installations inspired by homegrown writer/illustrators on its lawn – In Universe by Troy Chin and award-winning children’s series Sherlock Sam and the Supper Club by husband-and-wife team A.J. Low and illustrator Drewscape.

At the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall (VTVCH), its façade as well as interior spaces will be lit in red and white, creating a dramatic and patriotic hue of the Grand Dame, set against the majestic Singapore skyline.

These iconic buildings will be lit-up for the first time from now till 30 August 2020, in a show of solidarity and celebration for Singapore’s 55th National Day.

National Day Programmes

If this National Day feels a little uneventful without celebratory gatherings and the usual large-scale annual parade, we’ve got something for you to look forward to! ACM, Esplanade, National Gallery Singapore, National Heritage Board (NHB), National Museum, The Arts House and VTVCH have in store various National Day programmes – both onsite and digital – from end July to end August.

The various institutions of NHB, Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, will be releasing their renditions of the 2002 National Day song “We Are Singapore” using traditional Indian, Malay and Chinese instruments. Look out for their four-part music video series on their Facebook pages starting 1 August.

Visit the open houses of the National Museum, ACM, Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall over the National Day weekend to enjoy a host of National Day-themed activities both on-site and online at the open houses! Highlights include The Hunt@National Museum of Singapore, a digital scavenger hunt, which will sent you on a journey back to Singapore’s beginnings.

More details can be found on the respective institutions’ websites.