Singapore (CU)_ Singapore is all set to host the international arts festivals in the middle of May, which will feature more than 60 shows and 300 performances. This will potentially be the largest festivals since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out last year. The festival will feature a combination of online streaming, live events, and multi-platform immersive shows in order to reach as many people as possible while adhering to strict health guidelines.
The organizers of the festival released a statement saying, “The 16-day event will showcase artists who have incorporated different technologies from lo-fi to high-tech to interact with audiences in real time; live performances in theatres, and shows where artists have collaborated across borders”. At the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), artists from Switzerland, Australia, the United States, Lebanon, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines will also perform their shows together with several Singaporean artists and freelancers.
At the inaugural performances on May 14, there will be a concert to honor Louis Soliano, Singapore jazz legend and 2018 Cultural Medallion winner. The world premiere of Invisible Opera will be presented by Sophia Brous. While performing live from Melbourne, she will also engage with Singaporean fans. Gaurav Kripalani, Festival Director, said, “If we had to find a silver lining to COVID-19, it is that there is a far greater appreciation for the arts and a pent-up demand for live performances”.
Low Eng Teong, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Arts Council, expressed glad and hopes about the festival. He said, “As festival programs thread across both physical and digital platforms, more audiences can now come together to enjoy and experience the arts, safely”. He added, “We celebrate the resilience of the arts community as we saw how quickly they had adapted to put together an online showcase last year, allowing audiences from around the world to experience the best of performing arts. Even with the ongoing pandemic, the arts continue to bring people together as we remain safely apart.”
