Singapore Government Press Release

Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

Mr David Lim

Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts

Professor Tommy Koh

Chairman, National Heritage Board

Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

 I am delighted to join you tonight to officiate at the launch of Heritage Festival 2003. This is the third festival that the National Heritage Board is organising to bring our heritage up close-and-personal to the people. Through the many fun and interactive activities, Singaporeans will learn about not just the legacies we have inherited but understand the connections, inter-mingling and fusion of our common backgrounds and heritage. Our multi-cultural heritage is a rich source of inspiration for the new economy that will be driven by creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. At the same time together we need to weave a rich social tapestry, strong and resilient, that will withstand the onslaught of a more uncertain world.

Investors are prepared to pump in money and resources into Singapore, build factories and create jobs because of their confidence in our political and social stability. We need to treasure these assets and build on them. Our future lies not just in making sure our economic fundamentals are right, but also that our political and social cohesion remains strong.

Young Singaporeans are likely to have different aspirations and expectations from their parents and grandparents. Young Singaporeans face different challenges.

Buffeted by the forces of globalisation, the information revolution and the new world order, young Singaporeans are continually confronted with questions of ethics, values, identity, belonging, and loyalty. They need answers, relevant references and role models.

The search for answers to these complex questions must begin with our culture and heritage. History and memories of shared experiences provide valuable lessons for us to tap on to make sense of a world where the only �constant� is �change�. To make sense of where we are heading to, we need to know where we came from.

Our rich and diverse heritage has economic benefits. Singapore culture is a collection of ever-changing patterns, full of pleasant surprises. Evolving from its original form, adapted and adopted, fused and shared in a natural process, Singapore culture becomes something very special for every community. Because of our rich cultural diversity, Singapore is in a good position to reap the benefits of the growing west-meets-east trends in fashion, music and the arts. Our multi-cultural society provides a large pool of talent to integrate these trends and design new services and products. We are able to offer a total experience of Asian arts and culture to visitors from the region and beyond.

The theme of this year�s Heritage Festival "Roots! Rhythm! Blends!" is all about our shared identity through traditions, culture and lifestyle of our various ethnic communities. This wealth of cultural diversity, almost subconsciously welded together by communal sharing, characterizes our unique multi-racial community.

During the next nine days, Singapore will have the opportunity to share special memories and experiences with family, friends and visitors. Memories from our common heritage will help us identify and secure stabilising anchors to meet future challenges.

The strong support of the entire community - individuals, families, schools, associations and corporations � for the Heritage Festival is indeed heartwarming and encouraging.

I would like to thank everyone for the time, resources and support they have generously given to make this year�s Heritage Festival possible in these economically difficult times.

I also congratulate The National Heritage Board and its partners for their efforts to bring the Festival to all Singaporeans and visitors.

Finally, I wish everyone involved in this event every success and I am delighted to declare open Heritage Festival 2003.

Thank you.

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