Overseas Singaporeans from the United Kingdom and Europe reunite at Singapore Day 2018

5,000 Singaporeans from the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe held a reunion at Singapore Day 2018, held at Peninsula Quays in London. Singapore Day is held each year by rotation in UK, America, Australia and China to bring Singaporeans together. This was the third Singapore Day held in London, following previous editions in 2014 and 2009.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who joined fellow Singaporeans at the gathering, said: “Singapore Day is a special reunion for Singaporeans overseas where we enjoy a slice of home together. Thank you also to all those attending for joining hands to raise funds for our needy fellow Singaporeans, even as we are far away from home. This spirit of unity will help us grow together as one Singapore.”

This year’s Singapore Showcase is themed “Possibilities” with three interactive zones showcasing Singapore as a home where together, we can translate possibilities into reality:

• “Heartlands” – Reliving and creating shared memories as we walk through familiar neighbourhood sites - a grocery shop, void deck and basketball court. Activities from the past, such as rickshaw-pulling and carrying rice sacks, helps us understand and appreciate the hard work of our forefathers during the early years of nation-building. The showcase also profiles how digital technology is deployed in the heartlands, as part of our Smart Nation initiatives to enable Singaporeans to lead better lives. Singaporeans also learnt about the economic possibilities through industry transformation for the Healthcare and Food Services sectors.

• “City” – Inspires pride in our rich multicultural heritage through re-creations of ethnic precincts, the Bandstand and Tanglin Gate from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The showcase also updates Singaporeans on the lifelong learning opportunities and economic possibilities for Singaporeans, through industry transformation in the Financial Services and Retail sectors.

• “Nation” – Encourages Singaporeans to lead Singapore towards a better and brighter future, and be inspired by stories of care and volunteerism. Singaporeans also share their hopes and aspirations for our nation through art at the “Site of Possibilities”.

In the spirit of the SG Cares movement, Singaporeans around the world also joined hands at the inaugural global charity drive to raise funds for the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Association. All Singaporeans can pledge and make a donation to support children with special needs and seniors with dementia by visiting the Giving.sg platform.

With support from corporates such as ST Engineering, DBS, UOB, Toast Box, Naiise, Lee Wee & Brothers, and The Golden Duck Co., as well as the generosity of individual donors, more than S$55,000 was raised at the end of Singapore Day 2018 for the beneficiaries. The global charity drive will run until 31 March 2018, 2359hrs (Singapore time).

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu said: “Every Singaporean can contribute to making Singapore a better place, regardless of where we are. I am very glad that overseas Singaporeans are showing their care and compassion to those in need in Singapore through action. The corporate partners are also stepping forward and answering the call for charity. Regardless of your capacity and location, you can be part of the SG Cares movement. Collectively, we can make Singapore a home where we help our neighbours, care for one another, and leave no one behind.”

“This is a good opportunity for overseas Singaporeans to give back and show care for fellow Singaporeans. Regardless of where we are, we can all do our part to build a home where we can support and look out for one another. After all, home is where our hearts are,” said 37-year-old financial analyst Ferene Chua.

For the first time this year, the concert segment was broadcasted on Facebook ‘Live’, reaching out to more Singaporeans. Hosted by Belinda Lee and Chua Enlai, it featured many popular and locally-composed tunes by home-grown artistes such as Rahimah Rahim, 53A, Joanna Dong, Aisyah Aziz and young budding talents such as Joie Tan and Shak’thiya. The audience also enjoyed an entertaining performance by the well-known comedian, Kumar.

With Singaporean hawkers volunteering at the event, fellow Singaporeans were treated to a taste of home with local fare such as nasi lemak, carrot cake, rojak and kaya toast.

“Singapore Day is an excellent initiative. It showcases our cultural diversity and the values that make us Singaporean. It also shows that no matter where we are, we are united as one people,” said 51-year-old trader Bernard Sin.

Singapore Day is a special event organised by the Overseas Singaporean Unit to help keep overseas Singaporeans emotionally connected to Singapore. It is held annually in different major cities with a significant community of Singaporeans. The last four editions of Singapore Day were held in Melbourne, Australia (2017); San Francisco, US (2016); Shanghai, China (2015); and London, UK (2014).