Cultural and historical landmarks in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct will be bathed in red and white light to inspire and encourage Singaporeans.
Venue: Various Monuments at the Bras Basah.Bugis Precinct
Date: 1 - 31 Aug 2021, 7.30 pm to 12 am
Admission: Free
Seven historically and culturally significant buildings in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct will be lit in the colours of the National Flag to inspire and encourage Singaporeans, and to represent the nation’s shared values and achievements.
The following buildings will be bathed in red and white light every night for the entire month of August.
- The Central Fire Station
- Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
- National Museum of Singapore
- National Design Centre
- Stamford Arts Centre
- Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, and
- The Cathay
A Testament To Past Contributions
The lighting of three National Monuments in the historic BBB precinct will be a testament to the contributions and progress of different communities towards nation-building over the decades. The Central Fire Station is Singapore’s oldest existing fire station and a symbol of the transformation of our nation’s early volunteer firefighting squads into a modern-day civil defence force; The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is the oldest Catholic Church in Singapore, having been constructed in 1843 as a place of worship for Singapore’s first Catholic community; while the National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum, tracing its history to the mid-1800s, inspiring visitors today with stories of Singapore and the world.
A Tribute From The Creative Communities
Four other buildings that are hubs of Singapore’s cultural and design scene – the National Design Centre, Stamford Art Centre and Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, and The Cathay – will join the tribute to Singapore for its birthday. These institutions represent a modern city that thrives on its vibrant creative communities while treasuring its heritage.
The National Design Centre occupies the 120-year-old premises of the former St. Anthony’s Convent, which was founded by the Portuguese Mission for Singapore’s poor and disadvantaged communities; Stamford Arts Centre was built in 1920 as the Japanese Elementary School, before going on to house the Shackle Club (a British military recreation centre), Gan Eng Seng School and Stamford Girls School; Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film (a non-profit visual arts space dedicated to film and photography) was once home to the Methodist Girls School and subsequently the first Straits Chinese Methodist Church; while The Cathay was the tallest building in Singapore and Southeast Asia when it opened in 1939.
Arts & Culture Lighting Up
The light-up of BBB precinct is presented alongside the light-ups of cultural and historical landmarks in the Civic District, including Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, and Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, in a show of unity across the arts and culture sector.
When Is The Light Up And Best Route?
The building will be lit up every night from 1 August to 31 August, from 7.30 pm to 12 am.
If you would like to revel in the light-up of our city and capture some photographs of it, here’s a recommended route that you can embark on for your self-guided exploration of all six buildings/sites.
The route will take you to the various sites in the following order: The Cathay → National Museum of Singapore → Central Fire Station → Cathedral of the Good Shepherd → Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film → Stamford Arts Centre → National Design Centre
*Photos used are of the 2020 light up, Photo Credits: NHB
