Singapore is known for being a clean country full of sunshine, greenery and delightful people. But although it offers great shopping, gourmet dining and sightseeing, it is not frequently associated with the art world.
The Singapore Arts Festival, however, is trying to change all that. SAF emerged as an annual event last year after combining the biennial Festival of Arts and the Festival of Asian Performing Arts, both on since 1977. With a flourishing arts scene throughout the country, core-program performances from all over the world and exhibitions featuring local artists, Singapore was filled with a vibrant atmosphere and excitement during the festival's run June 1-25.
Apart from the core program, this year the Waterloo Street Arts Belt was alive with performances, exhibitions, jam sessions, workshops and talks presented by arts organizations such as the Young Musician's Society, Dance Ensemble Singapore, Singapore Calligraphy Society and the Sculpture Square. A late-night series in Clarke Quay showed cutting-edge performances, and as part of the "Arts on the Move" program, there were free festival shows ranging from street theater to multimedia presentations in parks, town centers and along pedestrian malls.