The Official National Day Celebrations period lasts from July 1st to September 30th. Three months! That covers most of the UK summer holiday period for families, schools and universities.
When I first came to Singapore I was impressed by all the flags and wondered where they came from. Now that I am a Permanent Resident I know. This year the government gave every household a pack in a handy fabric tote bag, containing a large flag with two tapes so you can tie the flag onto the railings of your balcony.
Inside the bag was another smaller flag you could hold in your hand and wave.
Red represents universal brotherhood and equality of man.
White represents purity and virtue.
The crescent moon represents a young nation in the ascendant.
The five white stars represent, democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. The stars are arranged in a circle in the red upper half of the flag.
This year, 2020, for the first time, we were given masks and a thermometer. So, if we go out to watch, we will not be spreading germs.
The day's events start at 10.20 am.
You can expect:
A speech by the VIP.
A fly-past.
A parade of the national organizations, the armed forces, the emergency forces, all ages.
In the afternoon there's more.
Fireworks.
Nowadays no need to leave home. Watch it all on your screen.
If you want to join in or understand what they are singing. Here's the national anthem.
The Story Of The Anthem
"
Majulah Singapura" is the national anthem of Singapore. It was written and composed by Singaporean musician
Zubir Said in 1958. Seven years later, the anthem was adopted. This song must be sung in Malay, although there are translations provided in the country's three other official languages—English, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil.
Singaporeans are encouraged to sing the national anthem during times of national celebration or at important national events such as at the
National Day Parade, at National Day observance ceremonies held by government departments and educational institutions such as schools and
universities, and at sports events that Singapore teams take part in.
Since everybody else will be singing in Malay, you might as well practise at least the opening and ending, better still all of it.
Rumi
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IPA transcription
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Mari kita rakyat Singapura Sama-sama menuju bahagia Cita-cita kita yang mulia Berjaya Singapura. Marilah kita bersatu Dengan semangat yang baru Semua kita berseru 𝄆 Majulah Singapura! 𝄇 [1]
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[ma.ri ki.ta raʔ.jat̚ si.ŋa.pu.ra]
[sa.ma sa.ma mə.nu.dʒu ba.ha.gi.a]
[tʃi.ta tʃi.ta ki.ta jaŋ mu.li.a]
[bə(r).dʒa.ja si.ŋa.pu.ra]
[ma.ri.la(h) ki.ta bə(r).sa.tu]
[də.ŋan sə.ma.ŋat̚ jaŋ ba.ru]
[sə.mu.a ki.ta bə(r).se.ru]
𝄆 [ma.dʒu.la(h) si.ŋa.pu.ra] 𝄇
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Here is the Chinese (Mandarin)
| Singaporean Mandarin | Hanyu Pinyin |
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来吧，新加坡人民，
让我们共同向幸福迈进；
我们崇高的理想，
要使新加坡成功。
来吧，让我们以新的精神，
团结在一起；
我们齐声欢呼：
𝄆 前进吧，新加坡！ 𝄇
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Lái ba, Xīnjiāpō rénmín,
Ràng wǒmen gòngtóng xiàng xìngfú màijìn;
Wǒmen chónggāo de lǐxiǎng,
Yào shǐ Xīnjiāpō chénggōng.
Lái ba, ràng wǒmen yǐ xīn de jīngshén,
Tuánjié zài yīqǐ;
Wǒmen qí shēng huānhū:
𝄆 Qiánjìn ba, Xīnjiāpō! 𝄇
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Singable English version (unofficial)
- Come, fellow Singaporean people,
- With joy aglow we shall as one progress;
- May our yearning so noble
- Bring Singapore great success.
- Come, let us unite together,
- All of us with a new vigour;
- Let our voices soar:
- Onward! Oh, Singapore!
I would like a more universal theme, with everyday language, whilst retaining the same syllable count and beat or intonation.
Here's my fist effort:
Come, friends, join Singaporean peoples
Bring smiles and plans, in teams we'll progress
May dreams build towns tall as steeples
Spread Singapore's great success.
Join us, we'll work and plan together
Young, old, rich, poor, in all weather
Bring health, wealth, calm, love, laughs, more
Garden home, Singapore.
You may also have seen versions of a popular song.
What food could you eat?
Singaporean favourite foods include:
Fish and Chips
Scones (Make your own or buy from Four Leaves in shopping malls such as Bukit Panjang)
Chinese
Chicken rice
Duck rice
Indian
Fish head curry (From restaurants in Little India in Singapore)
Roti Prata (Flat bread made by rolled out in fat fingers of dough like making spaghetti, roughly spiralled and jumbled and pressed together and cooked like a pancake.)
To drink Singaporean Style
Tiger Beer
Some factory tours may be available. Check current situation from their website.
Check the quality of your nearest branch as they are franchises.
Malay
Kaya toast for breakfast (Buy kaya jam in jars)
Kaya is coconut jam, yellow colour, made from coconut cream, eggs sugar, and sometimes added pandan leaf (pale green faintly flavoured)
Add coconut cream or coconut to savoury dishes or desserts
Durian (strong smelling sulphorous fresh fruit or fruit puree on other dishes or more delicate flavour on cake or ice cream like a cross between banana and chestnut)
Useful Websites
National Anthem in Malay, Chinese, English and other languages
Road Closures
https://www.ndp.gov.sg/traffic-advisories/
Tiger Beer
Kaya toast
CHICKEN RICE RECIPE
Author
Angela Lansbury
Please share your favourite posts. Join me on Facebook, LinkedIn.
I am the immediate Past President of Braddell Heights Advanced, Toastmasters International speakers' training club. We are a President's Distinguished Club.
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