There is nothing quite like a flurry of events jostling for our attention in this post-covid world. Be it a Blackpink concert or a wholesome day out at this year’s Heritage Fest, our social calendars are already bursting at the seams.
And there’s more! Because the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA), a stalwart of our arts scene is back this May! From now till June 4, there will be an exciting line-up of over 90 performances and shows featuring theatre, music, dance, film and the visual arts.
Taking the lead, our Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong (who seemed to be at everything and everywhere all at once these days) was more than thrilled to immerse himself into the world of arts.
“I enjoyed the opening performance, ‘Angel Island’, a music theatre piece that brought history alive through the stories of Chinese immigrants from the San Francisco Bay. The multidisciplinary collaboration between our local and international artists pushes the boundaries of our artists, and the resulting synergy is something that SIFA 2023 is set to present this season”, he shared.
Enriching lives through the arts
The theme for SIFA this year is none other than people, the soul of any performance. Therefore, it is only apt for audiences to come together and open their hearts to each other’s perspectives through works of art. After all, as different as we might want to distinguish ourselves from each other, the spectrum of our human experience through grief, fear, hope and loneliness are unsurprisingly similar. And it is through shared experiences that we build bonds and bridge differences.
Unfortunately, many of us are likely to dismiss the performing arts as something “not for me”. From theatrical performances to multi-media installations, there is a perception that these are highbrow events reserved for those genuinely cultured.
However, the truth is far from that. That is because there is nothing more inclusive than the performing arts at conveying ideas, injecting joy and inspiring reflections using a minimum of words to a big crowd of people.
Perhaps this is why for 45 years (and counting), SIFA has endured. Going through several evolutions to champion art as a medium that enriches our lives and nourishes our souls, very much in a way like food does.
Keen to check out what’s on this year? Click here for the SIFA Programme Guide.
Picture Source: Singapore International Festival of Arts/ Edwin Tong via Facebook
