Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2015

Singaporeans can look forward to an exciting year in 2015 to celebrate our nation’s 50th year of independence. The 2015 programme line-up was unveiled today at a press conference with Chairman of the Singapore50 (SG50) Steering Committee, Mr Heng Swee Keat. The Committee also provided an update on the nationwide call for celebration ideas and the SG50 Celebration Fund.

2. The overall theme for SG50 is for all Singaporeans to celebrate as one people. For 2014, the focus is to reflect on our journey and to take pride in how far we have come as a country. Hence, the SG50 calendar this year kicked off with a Pioneer Generation tribute at the Istana and there will be more tribute events to honour the special role of our pioneers across different segments of the society for the rest of 2014.

3. For 2015, the focus will shift towards celebrating our shared values, affirming our aspirations and committing to a brighter Singapore. The calendar will comprise national and community-level programmes organised by the public, people and private sectors.

4. Mr Heng Swee Keat outlined the overall theme that shapes the year-long celebrations. “SG50 is about celebrating the enduring values that we share as Singaporeans, values that undergird the Singapore Spirit – values that have stood us in good stead in the past and give us confidence for an even brighter future.”

5. Elaborating on the 2015 programme line up, Mr Heng said, “We want the 2015 calendar to be wide-ranging so that it caters to different segments of society. The programmes will span a calendar year, with events spread across the months. Some are large-scale, national events which encourage mass participation. But there are also small-scale events led by the corporate and people sectors that are more intimate, and cater to specific audiences. We hope that with this mix of programmes, everyone will be able to find something appealing and meaningful as we celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee as one people.” (Source:  Channel News Asia)

The Countdown 1993 in Singapore

Photo credit of National Archives of Singapore

Thirty-thousand ballons released at Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)'s New Year Countdown at midnight, onto a screaming crowd at World Trade Centre Expo Gateway on 31 December, 1993.

The Countdown 2015 in Singapore

The "Singapore 50 Countdown 2015" at Marina Bay is a personal occasion which is an opportunity of a lifetime for me to experience and blog to express.  I speak for myself, but I hope everyone who were there at the special Countdown Singapore 2015 would share my sentiments and enjoyment.

I know very well that I will not have another 50 years for me to celebrate the next countdown in 2065.  Its worth to have a one lifetime for me as a mortal.

To the present young generations and our future generations, there is a hope for Singaporeans to work, play and live together in peace, harmony and progress in Singapore as we have continued to do for  the last 50 years in the past.

In 2015 this year is the 50th anniversary of independent Singapore, our "Golden Jubilee Anniversary" to be celebrated by all Singaporeans.

My personal impression of the Countdown and the major national events for National Day, the festivals for Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Chinese New Year or Christmas celebrated by Singaporeans in multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural Singapore transformed into a magical fairyland like Disneyland.

Walt Disney said: "To all that come to this happy place: Welcome.  Disneyland is your land.  Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.  Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

It was a carnival of fun for young and old, Singaporeans, visitors and tourists of all nations.

As sunsets at the Singapore waterfront

The packed audience at the main stage for the SG50 Countdown 

Families enjoy picnic on the lawn beside the stage

A great way to celebrate at Marina Bay for a picnic to enjoy their meals

About 25,000 people welcomed the arrival of 2015 at the sell-out Celebrate SG50 countdown show on Wednesday (Dec 31) at The Float@Marina Bay here

Finale - The Countdown and Firework Display

The "SG50 New Year Countdown" video at YouTube thanks to courtesy of Singapore50.

The finale blast of colorful creative designs of the fireworks and to watch the gorgeous scenaries against the beautiful skyline of Marina Bay of Singapore, our Home.

With grateful thanks to everyone for all the help and efforts for many months to make this unforgettable Golden Jubilee Countdown 2015 possible.  Please share the happy memories of everyone at the Singapore 50 Facebook and Singapore Memory Portal for posterity.

Happy New Year 2015!