Media Room

Christmas Wonderland organisers Blue Sky Events announced today that the Walk of Lights – Brought to you by Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay will be extended due to the event’s strong demand. After discussions with all the relevant authorities and Gardens by the Bay, the event will now run till 3 January 2021, with no further extension possible.

All timeslots for the event, which had been originally scheduled to be held till 27 December, are currently sold out. Tickets for the new Walk of Lights dates will be available for booking on 23rd December, 5pm.

Gardens by the Bay Director of Attractions Operations Jason Koo said, “We are heartened that the Walk of Lights has been so well-received by the community. Given that all timeslots right up to 27 December have been taken up, it was decided that the event be extended by another week, so that more will have the opportunity to enjoy the light installations. That said, safety will continue to be a priority and we seek everyone’s understanding that slots are limited due to safe management guidelines. We advise visitors to pre-book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

For more information on the Walk of Lights and Virtual Christmas Wonderland 2020, please visit www.christmaswonderland.sg.

The Walk of Lights at Gardens by the Bay – Brought to you by Christmas Wonderland was officially opened by Guest-Of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as he lit up a 14-metre tall luminarie Christmas tree at the Golden Garden this evening.

Organised by Blue Sky Events, the Walk of Lights is the physical event that complements Virtual Christmas Wonderland’s online festivities this yuletide season. It offers a scenic 370-metre self-guided tour at Gardens by the Bay from now till 27 December, where visitors can view eight stunning light installations in brand new designs, including a stunning 17-metre tall Spalliera, a 40-metre long Path of Tranquility, a Cassa Armonica presented by Official Smiles Partner Zenyum, and more. In addition, visitors can also look out for a 6-metre tall ‘Christmas tree’ in the Chocolate Obsession Display by Häagen-Dazs™. See ANNEX A for more details.

Visitors can also ride a European double-storey Venetian Horse Carousel and purchase limited edition merchandise when they visit the site at the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.

The dazzling luminarie light installations extend to the Flower Dome cooled conservatory, where this year’s Poinsettia Wishes floral display brings a little slice of European-holiday cheer to the tropics. See ANNEX B for more details.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and all Walk of Lights ticketholders are in for a treat! Three ticketholders stand to win a fabulous ‘Steak-Cation’ at Hilton Singapore. The package includes a one-night hotel stay for two in a Deluxe Room and a premium sharing steak dinner experience with two-hour free-flow wine at Opus Bar & Grill worth S$498++ each. To participate, visitors are required to scan the QR code on site to sign up for the lucky draw.

Tickets to the Walk of Lights – Brought to you by Christmas Wonderland is priced at S$5 each and are sold separately from the online membership for Virtual Christmas Wonderland 2020. To adhere to social management measures, a maximum of five persons are allowed per group. Visitors are required to pre-book a 30-minute session and purchase their tickets up to an hour prior to their visit. Tickets are not available for sale on-site. Due to the limited capacity, visitors are advised to pre-book their tickets early. To purchase tickets for the Walk of Lights as well as the double-storey carousel, visit www.christmaswonderland.sg.

Visitors can also choose to enjoy the best of both worlds with the Christmas Bundle, which covers entry to Christmas Wonderland’s Walk of Lights and Gardens by the Bay’s cooled conservatories at a discounted rate. The Christmas Bundle offers savings of up to 25%, and is available in limited quantity while stocks last at https://ticket.gardensbythebay.com.sg. SingapoRediscovers Vouchers issued by Singapore Tourism Board can be used for the Christmas Bundle.

Gardens by the Bay Chief Executive Officer Mr. Felix Loh said “2020 has been a long and tiring year for everyone. We made the decision in July to proceed with this Christmas tradition without sight of what December would be like in the hope of spreading some cheer during the holiday season. We seek our visitors' understanding of the need for safe management measures such as the reduced capacity, timed entry and one-directional routing, but nonetheless I believe Walk of Lights with the signature Luminarie light installations will still bring much festive joy to lift our spirits.”

Executive Director of Blue Sky Events Pte Ltd Mr. Kevin Soh said “Although the Walk of Lights is just an element of what a normal Christmas Wonderland would have been, we are delighted to be able to present the best of both worlds to the community this year, physically and online. Visitors can still enjoy the light installations onsite, but if they are missing the shopping, games, and even the ever popular opportunity to meet Santa, they can head online to Virtual Christmas Wonderland from the comfort of their home.”

Green is an extra meaningful colour at Gardens by the Bay this festive season, as the Gardens closes the year with festivities with a strong sustainability theme.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu visited Gardens by the Bay today, where she previewed Charge Up with Bloom! an educational programme for children focusing on the 3Rs of reducing, reusing and recycling, as well as toured the Shop Sustainably showcase in Flower Dome, a collaboration with DesignSingapore that showcases sustainable-minded products by woodworking design studio Roger&Sons and contemporary womenswear label GINLEE Studio. Minister also opened Poinsettia Wishes, the first of the Gardens’ signature themed floral displays in Flower Dome to make a return after a hiatus since the circuit breaker in April.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “Climate change is an important issue that the world will have to contend with long after this pandemic passes. Every little gesture towards making the world a greener place counts. Even as we take time off to celebrate the year-end festivities, it’s useful to remember that the smallest of actions can make an impact on the well-being and sustainability of the planet we live in.”

Charge Up with Bloom!

Charge Up with Bloom!, a free programme which is on until December 6, is an outdoor garden trail activity for children. It features Gardens by the Bay’s own adorable flora and fauna characters called Plantkeepers, who will teach little ones how they can adopt simple practices in their daily lives to make a positive impact on the environment. There will also be a pledge wall where everyone is encouraged to write down their own pledge to sustainability.

Minister penned her own pledge to set the aircon temperature to 25 degrees Celsius, recycle more and reduce waste.

At the end of its run, all the displays that were part of Charge Up with Bloom! will either be reused or gasified. Gasification converts the displays into thermal energy and biochar to improve soil conditions.

Poinsettia Wishes

This year’s Poinsettia Wishes brings a little slice of European-holiday cheer to the tropics with a reimagined Gouda City Hall, an iconic landmark in the Netherlands visited by many for its annual Christmas candle light-up, dazzling Luminarie light installations, a wishing well, and festive plants such as poinsettias, cyclamens, pansies, hellebores and real Christmas trees sponsored by O2Plants Pte Ltd. The design of this year’s edition incorporates the creative inputs of the Dutch ambassador to Singapore Her Excellency Margriet Vonno.

Complementing Poinsettia Wishes and adding to the European experience are festive programmes brought in by the Royal Danish Embassy, Embassy of Finland, Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Embassy of Sweden.

As visitors explore the floral display, which runs until January 3, they will encounter kids-favorite the Plantkeepers once again, who will share with visitors tips on how to enjoy a sustainable Christmas. These include easily adoptable habits such as giving a loved one a memorable experience instead of a physical item, shopping from local retailers instead of overseas businesses to reduce the carbon footprint of a gift, and upcycling packaging materials into creative gift wraps.

The poinsettias in the floral display were brought in from Malaysia to reduce carbon footprint, while the props including the Gouda City Hall and nutcracker dolls were repurposed from previous floral displays in creative ways to make them look like new additions. To extend the usage of plants post-display as well as spread cheer to the community, flowers that are still in good condition will be handpicked, packed and gifted to charities.

Shop Sustainably

Woodworking design studio Roger&Sons and contemporary womenswear label GINLEE Studio are two sustainability-minded businesses who are supported under the DesignSingapore Council’s Good Design Research programme. The two local makers use robust design research and experimentation to develop impactful products that benefit people and the environment.

Roger&Sons is undertaking research and development into local wood, further exploring ways to fully utilise these trees and reduce waste. One method is to develop eco-friendly practices and mediums used in stabilisation. GINLEE Studio is redesigning their manufacturing process. By producing their products on demand in shop, they are overcoming the fashion industry’s infamous wastage issues.

The Shop Sustainably showcase in Flower Dome, which runs until January 3 in conjunction with Poinsettia Wishes, is an opportunity for both businesses to showcase their work and demonstrate how waste can be turned into useful products through creative thinking. This will hopefully inspire consumers to think in this direction too when they make purchases this Christmas season.

Please refer to the Annexes for deals at Gardens by the Bay this year-end, as well as the full list of events and activities happening in December.

A woodland wonderland far from the troubles of reality awaits visitors when Gardens by the Bay’s Floral Fantasy reopens to visitors tomorrow. Known for its whimsical floral artistry, the attraction located at Bayfront Plaza next to Bayfront MRT station is the final ticketed attraction at Gardens by the Bay to reopen.

Gardens by the Bay has been opening its ticketed attractions in phases, beginning with Flower Dome in July, in order to ensure that safety precautions and operating protocols can be thoroughly assessed and finetuned. With few cases of Covid-19 in the community as well as the festive season upcoming, the Gardens is reopening all its remaining attractions to cater to anticipated demand from the local community, the majority of whom are unable to travel overseas during this period.

Unveiled for the first time is the aptly-named Joy, a 5m-tall fantastical-themed floral sculpture made of dried and preserved flowers in a riot of colours, which is guarded by a giant woodland troll, his fairy friend and his bird companion – characters crafted by well-known local puppeteer Frankie Malachi. Take an enchanting stroll through a pathway flanked by hanging baskets filled to the brim with flourishing fuchsias from Japan spilling over from the sides, then say hello to the tiny, brightly-coloured poison dart frogs who shyly peek out at you from behind the colourful begonias in their vivarium.

Many of the fresh flowers and foliage plants on show – such as the orchids, pelargoniums, petunias, tillandsias and bromeliads – were lovingly grown in-house by horticulturists at Gardens by the Bay’s nurseries.

With its reopening, Floral Fantasy is also exploring opportunities to collaborate with aspiring artists on showcasing their floral-themed creations. Artists with nature on their minds can enquire at feedback@gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Timed-entry local resident tickets to Floral Fantasy are priced at a promotional rate of $10 for adults and $5 for children aged between three and 12 years old, and must be pre-purchased online from Gardens by the Bay’s website or smartphone app. Visitors can redeem a complimentary ice-cream cone from Cafe Aster next door with each Floral Fantasy ticket. Opening hours of Floral Fantasy are from 10am to 7pm on weekdays, and 10am to 8pm on weekends and public holidays.

Due to safe distancing measures, the 4D multimedia ride Flight of the Dragonfly at Floral Fantasy will remain closed.

Also reopening to the public is Supertree Observatory, which was previously only available for venue bookings. Located 50m above ground at the top of the tallest Supertree at Supertree Grove, it will welcome visitors from December 1 in the evenings between 4pm and 10pm. Local resident tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for children aged between three and 12 years old, and can be purchased from a self-service ticketing kiosk at Supertree Observatory.

Visitor safety remains a priority for Gardens by the Bay even with all its ticketed attractions now fully reopened to the public. In addition to timed entry, other safety measures for ticketed attractions include:

• Capacity limits
• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Cloud Forest and Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

All visitors must comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including the wearing of masks even during photo-taking, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

Gardens by the Bay has partnered the Attraction, Resorts and Entertainment Union (AREU) to embark on an Operation and Technology Roadmap (OTR) to strengthen its workforce and build resilience in its business strategies – the first in the attractions industry to do so.

The sharp fall in international travel and tourist arrivals due to Covid-19 has badly hit the tourism sector, creating uncertainties in both the economic and labour market outlook. The OTR will help Gardens by the Bay plan for the long term and position itself for recovery and future growth.

AREU is facilitating the OTR by providing resources such as workshops and trainers to support Gardens by the Bay in redesigning jobs and upskilling staff for new roles, as well as identifying technological capabilities that can be bolstered.

The result is the establishment of the Central Pool Scheme for cross training and upskilling of staff, as well as the adoption of technological innovations as part of Gardens by the Bay’s Smart Garden vision.

Gardens by the Bay has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GovTech, appointing the latter to be the System Architect for the Smart Garden vision. GovTech will develop an Internet of Things (IoT) platform to enable the deployment of digital technologies in the areas of plant monitoring and irrigation, lake management, integrated security, lighting, and facilities management. This is part of the Smart Nation Sensor Platform, a strategic national project that leverages sensors and data to better drive public agencies’ operational efficiency.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, who visited Gardens by the Bay today said, “The deepest concern of our workers in the tourism sector during COVID-19 has been the sustaining of their livelihoods amid the decline in visitors to Singapore’s places of interest. NTUC and our union, AREU, are excited to partner Gardens by the Bay to kickstart their Operation and Technology Roadmap as it will help them further their business goals and growth strategies for long-term recovery with the aid of technology enablers, which in turn will create higher value roles for the workers. At the end of the day, when a company transforms and succeeds, our workers will also benefit.”

Attraction, Resorts and Entertainment Union Executive Secretary Toh Hwee Tin said, “Flexible workforce makes good business sense, and it is good for workers’ wellbeing. Unions are open to collaborate with companies in redesigning jobs and reskilling staff to raise workers’ capability. A skilled and transformed workforce provides greater job security. AREU supports manpower lean business models. It works with Gardens by the Bay to cross-train their staff in different skillsets so that they can take on different job roles when needed and importantly, adapt to and use new technologies and digital tools. Our union leaders shared that colleagues are very enthusiastic towards learning new tools as it helps them in their work in enhancing guest relationship and customer experiences.”

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “As the iconic face of Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is excited to play our part in showcasing Singapore’s Smart Nation vision through the use of technology and automation to our visitors. Gardens by the Bay’s Smart Garden vision will also equip our Singaporean core workforce with new skills to better respond in the post-Covid world. We are grateful for the invaluable expertise of our partner NTUC in helping us chart an Operation and Technology Roadmap, and to GovTech for supporting us in this game-changing journey.”

Central Pool Scheme

An evolving business environment requires a multi-skilled workforce that is agile and confident to take on new roles that may emerge in the future. Gardens by the Bay is creating a Central Pool Scheme of staff who are able to take on a variety of responsibilities across different departments. To achieve this, the ACE (Agility Competence Excellence) training scheme will be rolled out to equip staff with the necessary skills to take on these new or reconstructed roles.

This means that instead of a specific skillset, which has turned out to be limiting during the pandemic, for example when retail shops were closed due to a drop in tourists arrivals, each individual will now have a variety of skills across the spectrum of guest relations management, security operations compliance and customer experience. They will then be able to adapt to roles in any of these areas when the need arises. Staff who have undergone such cross-functional training will belong to the Central Pool Scheme.

This is in line with Gardens by the Bay’s objective to maintain a strong Singaporean core for its workforce, as well as to retain staff as much as possible in challenging times. It also enhances an individual’s employability both within and even beyond Gardens by the Bay.

Staff from the attractions operations, visitor services, retail and security departments have already been cross-deployed when the need arises since the circuit breaker period in April this year. From January next year, structured training under the ACE training scheme will begin for 120 staff from these departments, who will complete their training by the first quarter of 2021.

The next phase of the ACE training scheme will focus on 21 horticultural staff, whose roles are currently tied to specific functions, for example maintenance of the outdoor gardens, caring for the cooled conservatories, and horticultural research. All horticultural staff will be cross-trained to acquire the necessary skillsets that would allow them to perform across various horticultural functions.

In addition, with Gardens by the Bay moving towards becoming a smart garden, staff will also be upskilled in new technologies where relevant to their scope of work.

A Smart Garden

As part of the Smart Garden vision, Gardens by the Bay is investing in technology to drive business, enhance efficiencies in operations, and create higher-value roles for staff. The objective is to save costs, reduce man-hours, and equip staff with new skills.

The Smart Garden vision focuses on three main areas:

• Enable smarter deployment of a skilled local workforce armed with real-time operations and horticultural data
• Streamline processes and reduce reliance on foreign labour through automation
• Improve service quality by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning

When the first phase of Gardens by the Bay’s Smart Garden vision is implemented in 2022, the expected cost savings is $2.3 million yearly. In terms of productivity, about 14,700 man-days will be saved.

One example of how automation can streamline processes is in horticultural maintenance and inspections. Traditionally, it takes more than a week for a three-man team to inspect the irrigation piping on the 18 Supertrees, but the use of autonomous drones outfitted with thermal imaging cameras will allow this work to be done by a single person in a single day. This technology will be applied to other inaccessible areas, like the 3,800 sq m plant-clad mountain in Cloud Forest as well.

In the area of visitor management, people counter sensors placed at identified entrances will be able to automatically count the number of people entering and exiting a specific area, rather than relying on manual counting methods. Essential areas like security and cleaning will also benefit from automation, particularly in optimising the deployment of staff. For example, “smart bins” with sensors indicate when waste bins need to be cleared, which reduces the time required to manually check on the state of bins, as well as the size of the cleaning crew. Instead of traditional “boots on the ground” patrolling and static station manning, a centralised Command and Control Centre provides comprehensive, real-time monitoring of crowd density around Gardens by the Bay, which facilitates dynamic and on-demand deployment from security officers.

In the near future, data collected via autonomous devices and sensors can “teach” the system to understand patterns and subsequently predict problems and provide recommendations. For example, if certain soil PH or electrical conductivity levels are known to cause stress to specific plant varieties, the system is able to understand this pattern through machine learning and automatically trigger timely alerts to horticulturists.

Please refer to the Annex for Smart Garden technologies at Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is bringing back both well-loved events and new offerings for the community to enjoy as the year comes to an end, with a careful approach that prioritises the safety of the visiting public.

Given that most people are unable to take an overseas vacation this year, Gardens by the Bay has brought a slice of Europe to the tropics instead, to spread some joy and cheer in a difficult 2020. Additionally, the theme of sustainability is woven into several events to remind visitors about their responsibility to care for the planet.

With the favourable public health situation in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay’s last ticketed attraction Floral Fantasy will reopen its doors to offer another destination for the local community.

Experience Europe at Gardens by the Bay

Flower Dome’s signature floral displays will make a return with the well-loved Poinsettia Wishes on November 27, after a hiatus since the circuit breaker was lifted in June. This year’s Poinsettia Wishes brings a little slice of European-holiday cheer to the tropics with a reimagined Gouda City Hall, an iconic landmark in the Netherlands visited by many for its Christmas candle light-up, dazzling Luminarie installations, a wishing well, and festive plants such as poinsettias, cyclamens, pansies, hellebores and real Christmas trees sponsored by O2Plants Pte Ltd.

Adding on to the European experience are festive programmes involving the four Nordic Embassies in Singapore – The Royal Danish Embassy, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of Sweden and the Royal Norwegian Embassy – which will complement the Poinsettia Wishes floral display. There will be crafting workshops for underprivileged children, Santa meet-and-greet sessions with the public, and a traditional Swedish Lucia Procession right here in Singapore.

Christmas Wonderland 2020 will be revamped with a slew of new, exciting and favourite offerings this year end. The seventh edition of Singapore’s biggest festive event will feature specially-curated stunning light installations at Gardens by the Bay in the Walk of Lights – Brought to you by Christmas Wonderland. Complementing the physical event is an enchanting online digital wonderland packed with interactive content, games galore for all ages, festive performances, and shopping from the comfort of your home. More details will be available on www.christmaswonderland.sg from November 19.

The old-world grandeur and luxury of the Orient Express comes to the West Lawn of Gardens by the Bay on December 12, when the exhibit Once Upon A Time On The Orient Express travels for the very first time outside France to make a stop in Singapore. For the six-month duration of the exhibit, visitors can experience what it must have been like on the fabled journey from Europe to the Orient with two original train carriages, a 158-year-old locomotive and 300 heritage items such as uniforms, shields and more.

Due to capacity limits to ensure safe distancing, visitors must pre-book their tickets online in advance before coming down to Gardens by the Bay to avoid disappointment.

Keeping things green during the holiday season

Besides the Covid-19 crisis, climate change is also an existential threat. As such, the theme of sustainability is highlighted in some of Gardens by the Bay’s year-end events.

At Poinsettia Wishes, Gardens by the Bay’s own adorable flora and fauna characters known as “plantkeepers” will share with visitors tips on how to have a green Christmas.

In addition, the Gardens is collaborating with two sustainability-minded businesses who are supported under the DesignSingapore Council’s Good Design Research programme. Woodworking design studio Roger&Sons and contemporary womenswear label GINLEE Studio will showcase their work at the Shop Sustainably showcase in Flower Dome from November 27, after going through robust design research and experimentation to develop these impactful products that benefit people and the environment. Shop Sustainably showcases new ways of doing business that focuses on sustainability, for example by creatively turning waste into useful products.

Meanwhile, families with children will enjoy Charge Up with Bloom!, a fun educational programme for children focusing on the 3Rs of reducing, reusing and recycling, that begins on November 27. Here, the plantkeepers make an appearance again, teaching little ones via an outdoor garden trail activity how they can adopt simple practices in their daily lives to make a positive impact on the environment. Beyond families, anyone is welcome to pen their sustainability pledge on the public pledge wall too.

Reopening of Floral Fantasy

With Gardens by the Bay’s ticketed attractions having reopened in phases since July as part of safety measures, Floral Fantasy will be the final ticketed attraction to reopen on November 21, just in time for the school holidays. Visitors will be delighted by scenes of floral artistry created with preserved, dried and fresh flowers such as orchids, fuchsias, begonias, impatiens and more – perfect for Instagram-worthy shots.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “Gardens by the Bay’s local visitorship continues to exceed that of last year’s, and this has motivated us to put together a slew of events and activities to cater to the community at the close of a difficult year. Given the limited capacity this year, we advise visitors to pre-book their tickets early to avoid disappointment. Safety remains a priority, hence we hope all Singaporeans will continue to look out for one another by wearing their face masks and observing safe-distancing measures when they visit Gardens by the Bay, so that everyone can enjoy a merry yet safe festive season.”

Safety first

Safety is a priority at Gardens by the Bay. All visitors must comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing of masks even during photo-taking, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

Other safety measures at Gardens by the Bay include:

• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Cloud Forest and Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Please refer to the Annex for the list of year-end highlights at Gardens by the Bay.

From today until November 15, Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove plays host to Dandelion, an interactive installation that allows people in Singapore and Japan to interact with each other via dandelion fluffs. When someone in Singapore “blows” at the dandelion of the installation, dandelion fluffs will travel virtually to Dandelion installations in Japan and bloom into peonies there. In the same way, dandelion fluffs from Japan will bloom into sakuras in Singapore when someone in Japan “blows” at the Dandelion installation there. Launched simultaneously in Singapore and Japan today, Dandelion is a way for people to connect with each other during the pandemic, when international borders are closed to the majority of travellers.

Dandelion is a collaboration between Gardens by the Bay and Tokyo-based creative company NAKED, as part of the latter’s Breath / Bless Project. Breath / Bless is conceptualised by the founder of NAKED, the artist Ryotaro Muramatsu, as an expression of peace in difficult times, and a collective monument of mankind’s solidarity and unity with one another. It is particularly poignant now as people across the world cope with a global pandemic. This is the first time Mr Muramatsu is presenting a work that connects across international borders in real time. Dandelion in Singapore is a 2m-tall dandelion structure set against the spectacular backdrop of the Supertrees. People scan a QR code and point their smartphones at the dandelion structure to “blow” at it, which will trigger floating dandelion fluffs that appear via projection on the ground and “bloom” as peonies in the Dandelion installations in Tokyo Tower and Shibuya’s Miyashita Park. Whenever sakura spontaneously bloom on the ground at Gardens by the Bay, it means someone in Japan has blown at the Dandelion installations there, sending dandelion fluffs Singapore’s way. NAKED hopes to install the Dandelion network in other major cities to connect various communities around the world.

Gardens by the Bay’s Senior Director of Business Development Ng Boon Gee, said, “Gardens by the Bay is excited to collaborate with NAKED on Dandelion, especially since the objective of this floral-themed installation aligns with our belief that flowers never stop blooming even in adversity. Japan is well-loved by many Singaporeans, and we hope the installation will bring some cheer and joy and allow Singaporeans to convey their well-wishes to Japanese friends via dandelion fluffs, and vice versa, given the prevailing travel restrictions.

NAKED’s founder Mr Muramatsu said, “I am happy to present the first Dandelion installation outside Japan at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. Gardens by the Bay is the perfect place to host this interactive artwork augmenting interaction between person and flower because the Gardens is a clear representation of a world in which nature and people coexist harmoniously. The feeling we have when we see a beautiful flower is universal, and so are our wishes for the world to become a better place. Flowers need no words. They are completely impartial. Their seeds fly to new places at random and bloom there. Through this art, we hope to spread this spirit and connect with our friends in Singapore and in the rest of the world through prayers for peace, kindness, and positivity.”

Dandelion is the latest in a series of cross-cultural collaborations between Gardens by the Bay and international partners. Other recent collaborations include:

• The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and Seoul Tourism Organisation to bring in the Royal Family Procession lantern set during the Mid-Autumn Festival in September
• Taiwanese sculptor Lee Kuang-yu for the ongoing A Sculptor’s Secret Garden sculpture exhibition in Cloud Forest
• The Embassy of France to present A Virtual Voyage through Masterpieces and the French Film Festival’s Ailo's Journey, as part of the programmes in the ongoing vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2020
• France’s Orient Express Heritage and Arab World Institute for the upcoming Once Upon A Time On The Orient Express exhibition in December
• The Netherlands Embassy for the design of the upcoming Poinsettia Wishes floral display in December; and the Royal Danish Embassy, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Finland for the accompanying festive programmes

Dandelion
Date: Monday, 9 November to Sunday, 15 November
Location: Supertree Grove (Lawn)
Time: 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Details:

• Admission is free.
• A maximum of five people are allowed to approach the installation at any one time.

For more information, visit www.breathbless.com or www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

“A Bit of England” has come to Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, as the final mini garden display in the Pocket Gardens Surprise series begins today. It will run until November 22.

Visitors can look forward to seeing elements of different English garden styles through the ages, such as the highly-manicured 17th century formal garden, and the relaxed, naturalistic style of the English landscape garden which took Europe by storm in the 18th century. Spot yew topiaries and box hedges, as well as a generous array of flowering shrubs such as lilium, impatiens, begonia and cyclamen.

Pocket Gardens Surprise was launched in July this year, when Flower Dome reopened to the public after being closed during the circuit breaker period. With a new mini garden display introduced every fortnight, the idea was to spread out the visitors to explore various nooks of Flower Dome. Together with timed entry tickets and a capacity limit, these measures have proven effective in managing visitor flow.

There have been 10 Pocket Gardens Surprise to date, featuring creative themes such as “Edible Garden” and “Out of Africa”, and made possible by the generous support of private individuals and organisations. With supply chain disruptions and other challenges brought on by the pandemic, some of the temperate flowers showcased in Pocket Gardens Surprise were grown in-house by Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturists – a show of resilience and ingenuity during a difficult time.

Deputy Director of Flower Dome Gary Chua said, “Even though Pocket Gardens Surprise is significantly scaled down compared to our usual floral displays in Flower Dome given the limited resources, the amount of preparatory work involved is still intense. But the enjoyment we see on visitors' faces, particularly when they take photos as mementos, makes the work worthwhile.”

With such an encouraging response from the community, Gardens by the Bay is bringing back its well-loved floral displays in Flower Dome next year. But there will be a reduction in the number of floral displays, which will allow some displays to run for a longer period so that the number of potential visitors can be spread out to prevent overcrowding.

Senior Director of Gardens Operations Andy Kwek, who heads the Safe Management Committee at Gardens by the Bay said, “Even as Gardens by the Bay looks to bring back events for the community to enjoy, we are ever mindful that we must continue to be vigilant about safety precautions and not let our guard down, especially as Singapore aims to move towards Phase 3. The safety of our visitors remains a priority, and we hope to have everyone’s cooperation as our staff on the ground continue to enforce safety measures including the wearing of masks and admissible group sizes.”

Visitors must comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing of masks even during photo-taking, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

Other safety measures at Gardens by the Bay include:

• Temperature screenings.
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying.
• Automatic entry and exit doors.
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings.
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour.
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas.
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Cloud Forest and Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality.
  

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay (滨海花园庆中秋) kicked off this evening when Minister for National Development Desmond Lee lit up the “Apricot Grove” (杏林送暖) lantern set at the entrance of the Gardens.

The “Apricot Grove” is one of six lantern sets illuminating the Gardens this year. On display till 4 October, the lantern sets embrace the themes of family reunion and unity in the community - qualities that have taken on an added significance in these extraordinary times.

In place of live performances and activities at the Gardens, this year’s festivities will be brought into the homes of Singaporeans through a series of online programmes, which will be made freely available to the public via the Gardens by the Bay website.

Gardens by the Bay’s Senior Director of Programming Ms Chua Yen Ling said, “Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay has been an annual highlight in our community calendar. Unlike previous years, we have moved the festive programmes online and spread out the lantern sets across the Gardens in line with safe management measures. We hope the public will join in the festivities, whether onsite or online, in keeping the tradition of Mid-Autumn Festival and the spirit of community and family alive.”

Mid-Autumn Festival 2020 Light-Up is organised by Gardens by the Bay, in collaboration with the Chinese Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Seoul Tourism Organization, China Life Insurance and Tote Board.

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2020 LIGHT-UP (滨海花园庆中秋)
Date: Friday, 18 September to Sunday, 4 October 2020
Location: Gardens by the Bay
Details: Lantern sets will be lighted up from 7pm to 10pm at Gardens by the Bay. Online programmes will be available at gardensbythebay.com.sg/midautumn.

For more information, please refer to the Annexes:

• Annex A: Lantern Sets
• Annex B: Virtual Programmes

To keep the tradition of Mid-Autumn Festival alive and bring cheer to Singaporeans as they adjust to life in the new normal, Gardens by the Bay will be celebrating Mid-Autumn with a mix of onsite and online offerings from 18 September to 4 October.

Onsite Lantern Displays Embracing the Themes of Reunion and Unity

Illuminating the Gardens will be six lantern sets embracing the significance of Mid-Autumn Festival with the themes of family reunion and unity in the community - qualities that are especially meaningful in these extraordinary times.

A highlight of this year’s light-up is Apricot Grove (杏林送暖), which features apricot flowers in various stages of blooming, enhanced with gobo lighting effect to simulate falling petals. Inspired by the Chinese fable of Dong Feng (董奉), a skilled and generous medical practitioner from the Three Kingdoms period (三国时代), this lantern set at Golden Garden is a floral tribute to healthcare workers.

Another lantern set that bears special meaning is Water Song (但愿人长久) inspired by the famous poem 《水调歌头·明月几时有》, which expresses the poet Su Shi’s (苏轼) deep longing for his family as he contemplates the beauty of the moon during Mid-Autumn. Featuring five framed scenes, the lantern set is located near the Planet sculpture, between Supertree Grove and The Meadow.

Joining in the Mid-Autumn celebration are local community groups and social service organisations, as well as Gardens by the Bay’s mature staff and volunteers, who have hand-painted and coloured close to 2,000 lanterns for display in the Colonnade of Lights (灯廊) and Illuminations of Joy (挂灯结彩) at Supertree Grove and Flower Dome. Visitors can also look forward to the Royal Family Procession (皇室出巡), which depicts a royal procession of the king and queen in the early Joseon Dynasty in Korea. First displayed at the Seoul Lantern Festival 2019, this unique lantern set located at Supertree Grove is made of hanji, a Korean traditional paper created using the bark of the mulberry tree

Along the Scented Walk near Bayfront Plaza are ten Prosperity Rats (吉鼠呈祥), which first made an appearance in the Gardens during Chinese New Year to usher in the Year of the Rat.

Online Performances and Activities

In place of live performances and activities at the Gardens, this year’s celebrations will be brought into the homes of Singaporeans through a series of online programmes.

There will be a virtual preview of the lantern displays, performances by award-winning flutist and composer, Rit Xu, and Chinese dance duo, Li Ruimin and Zheng Long, a snow skin mooncake demonstration conducted by People’s Association, Chinese craft tutorials as well as haiku. All these will be accessible to the public on Gardens by the Bay’s website from 18 September to 4 October.

Mid-Autumn Festival 2020 Light-Up is organised by Gardens by the Bay, in collaboration with the Chinese Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Seoul Tourism Organization, Tote Board, and China Life Insurance.

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2020 LIGHT-UP (滨海花园庆中秋)
Date: Friday, 18 September to Sunday, 4 October 2020
Location: Gardens by the Bay
Details: Lantern sets will be lighted up from 7pm to 10pm at Gardens by the Bay. Online programmes will be available at gardensbythebay.com.sg/midautumn.

For more information, please refer to the Annexes:

• Annex A: Lantern Sets
• Annex B: Virtual Programmes

The OCBC Skyway at Supertree Grove will reopen to public on September 7, with ticket sales starting on September 1.

The 128m-long aerial walkway, which is suspended 22m above ground between two Supertrees and offers spectacular views of the Marina Bay area, is the third ticketed attraction at Gardens by the Bay to reopen to public. Flower Dome reopened first in July, followed by Cloud Forest in August.

Timed-entry tickets, priced at $8 for adult and $5 for child, must be bought in advance from Gardens by the Bay’s website or mobile app. Physical ticketing counters are not open during this period. Opening hours of OCBC Skyway are from 9am to 8pm.

Garden Rhapsody, the free light and sound show at Supertree Grove, will be brought back in a different form for safe distancing management and crowd control. Instead of two 15-minute shows starting at 7.45pm and 8.45pm, the lights on the Supertrees will be turned on to light background music continuously from 7pm to 10pm for visitors to enjoy.

Gardens by the Bay is opening its ticketed attractions in phases in order to ensure that safety precautions and operating protocols are thoroughly assessed and finetuned where necessary. The Gardens has implemented a timed-entry system to control visitor numbers to Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. This has enabled the Gardens to offer free entry to its two conservatories to all practicing nurses throughout August, which saw about 12,000 nurses coming to visit. In addition, more than 50,000 Singapore residents have responded so far to a recent promotion where a two-conservatories ticket purchased in August allowed them to enjoy unlimited entry for up to six months. 

With the experience gained from the reopening of its two conservatories using a timed-entry system, Gardens by the Bay is confident of ensuring the safe reopening of OCBC Skyway to the public.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “Visitor numbers have been very encouraging ever since we reopened our two cooled conservatories. Safety remains a key priority, and the use of a timed-entry system has shown to be effective in spreading out the number of people to keep within capacity limits based on STB’s requirements. Our Supertrees are one of the world’s most recognised icons of Singapore and we are excited to welcome families back to visit this homegrown attraction during the September school holidays, with rigorous precautions in place.”

More Pocket Gardens Surprise in Flower Dome

Meanwhile, over at Flower Dome, new displays in the Pocket Gardens Surprise series continue to delight visitors of all ages. Pocket Gardens Surprise are mini displays introduced throughout Flower Dome every fortnight to encourage visitors to explore the various nooks.

A new mini display in September is Patio Garden, which aims to inspire with the possibilities of container planting. Ideal for small spaces like patios and balconies, container planting is versatile and easy to maintain, with a diverse range of plants that can be used to create countless combinations – from flowering plants and foliage plants, to herbs and edibles, to cacti and succulents. Patio Garden is sponsored in kind by Events Partner Pte Ltd.

Kids in particular will enjoy Out of Africa, another mini display where animals like the camel, elephant and giraffe reside amidst an African landscape of baobabs and aloes. Out of Africa is sponsored by private individuals Amit and Prachi Goel.

Discounted tickets for the public

To give the public more to look forward to, the Gardens is introducing a new promotion. From September 1 to October 31 this year, conservatory tickets will be priced at a 25 per cent discount. There is also an additional $1 discount if tickets are purchased through Gardens by the Bay’s mobile app.

Visitor safety remains a priority

In addition to the online sale of timed-entry tickets, safety measures for ticketed attractions at Gardens by the Bay include:

• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Cloud Forest and Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

Visitors will also have to comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing of masks, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

A group of nurses and doctors from National University Hospital (NUH) were among the first members of public in Singapore to preview Cloud Forest ahead of its reopening on August 6.

With Nurses Day in Singapore falling on August 1, Gardens by the Bay invited the NUH team to visit on this special day. A number of Gardens by the Bay's staff had been seconded to the Community Care Facility at Tuas during the circuit breaker months to assist in the work there, where they became acquainted with these doctors and nurses.

The stint not only gave the Gardens' staff first-hand experience in the national effort to fight Covid-19, but also the chance to build friendships. Some of the Gardens' staff, now back from their secondment, hosted the NUH team during today’s visit.

Minister for Education Lawrence Wong, who is co-chair of the multi-ministry task force on Covid-19, was also present during the visit to meet the NUH team.

Special promotions for nurses and the public

With National Day around the corner, there will be a series of promotions at Gardens by the Bay for Singapore residents, including nurses.

For the whole month of August, all practising nurses in Singapore will enjoy complimentary entry to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome – a way for Gardens by the Bay to pay tribute to the hard work put in by nurses during this pandemic. Nurses need only flash a valid Singapore Nursing Board practising certificate card at the entrance of the conservatories to gain entry.

This promotion is all the more meaningful for Gardens by the Bay, after its staff were given the rare opportunity to see first-hand the kind of challenges frontline healthcare workers faced when caring for Covid-19 patients at a Community Care Facility.

In addition, with Gardens by the Bay wanting to do more for the local community in its capacity as a national garden, a special ticketing promotion will run from August 3 to the end of the month.

Every purchase of a two-conservatories ticket at $20 comes with unlimited entry to both Cloud Forest and Flower Dome for up to six months, valid until February 7 next year. This ticketing promotion is available online from Gardens by the Bay’s website as well as mobile app, which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Gardens by the Bay Deputy CEO Lee Kok Fatt said, “Gardens by the Bay is, at its core, about community building. We believe in creating a better world for those around us and the next generation. That is why on this day, we are honouring our nurses for their contributions to Singapore. We would also like to offer all who visit Flower Dome and Cloud Forest during the National Day celebrations the opportunity to enjoy both conservatories as many times as they can for up to six months.”

First full-scale art exhibition in Cloud Forest

Visitors to Cloud Forest when it reopens to public will get to see its first-ever full-scale art exhibition. In collaboration with Chini Gallery, “A Sculptor’s Secret Garden” is a showcase of 16 bronze sculptures by well-known Taiwanese artist Lee Kuang-Yu.

Mr Lee’s 16 sculptures, which are interspersed throughout Cloud Forest, are based on three themes: “A Quiet Respite in the Garden”, “Beautiful Memories” and “Man and Nature as One”. These sculptures were brought out of Mr Lee's studio and garden nestled in the mountains of Xizhi in Taipei, to be exhibited in Gardens by the Bay.

Nature reduces stress and helps soothe the soul. Art has the same potential. In Cloud Forest, art as a medium, and nature as its platform, will come together in a powerful way to provide people with welcome respite from these stressful times.

All precautionary measures to ensure visitor safety will be taken. Visitors must pre-book their timed-entry tickets online from the Gardens by the Bay website or mobile app. Physical ticketing counters will not be open.

In addition, the following measures will also be in place:

• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Cloud Forest and Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

Visitors will also have to comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing of masks, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Since reopening over a week ago, more than 12,000 tickets to visit Flower Dome have been booked by visitors. Flower Dome opened on July 1 to Gardens by the Bay’s Friends of the Gardens members, and will open to the public on July 11.

All visits must be pre-booked online from Gardens by the Bay’s website or the Gardens by the Bay mobile app, as physical ticketing counters are not open.

Online pre-booking of timed-entry tickets was made available to the public on Gardens by the Bay website on July 7 at 4pm. So far, more than 500 tickets for the first day of Flower Dome’s reopening to the public on July 11 have been taken up.

As part of the many safety precautions in place, the capacity in Flower Dome has been kept at 25 per cent, or about 3,500 tickets daily.

Director of Attractions Operations Jason Koo said, “A fair number of our Friends of the Gardens members are still not aware that visitors are required to pre-book a timeslot prior to entry. Hence for our public opening, we will continue to have digital ambassadors on site to help our visitors who turn up without a time slot, to make their bookings online. We seek everyone’s understanding that pre-booking online is for everyone’s protection as it helps us to stagger the entry of visitors for adequate safe distancing.”

Visitors to Flower Dome can look forward to a European-themed landscape in the main flower field, which invokes a tranquil sojourn to the countryside. Popular flowers such as sunflowers, foxgloves, larkspurs, kangaroo paw, coleus and pelargoniums – seasonal blooms from temperate countries – are grown in-house by horticulturists in Gardens by the Bay’s own climate-controlled greenhouses.

In addition, Gardens by the Bay is also introducing mini garden displays in the Pocket Gardens Surprise series. These mini displays will be introduced throughout Flower Dome every fortnight to encourage visitors to explore the various nooks.

The first Pocket Gardens Surprise is Edible Garden, which features vegetables and herbs grown for use in the kitchen. It features a range of interesting temperate ornamental vegetables, herbs and flowers such as colorful Swiss chards and sweet pepper, purple kohlrabi, white variegated thyme, silver sage, scented pastel pink and peach-colored sweet Williams, and violet pansies in a pleasing arrangement that draws on the beauty of symmetry. The next Pocket Gardens Surprise will be Terrace Garden, which features grapes, feijoas, citrus fruits and scented geraniums.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “We’re very thankful for the strong response from our Friends of the Gardens members during the reopening of Flower Dome. We are equally excited now to welcome our public supporters back on July 11.”

All precautions to ensure visitor safety have been put in place. In addition to timed-entry tickets and the compulsory requirement to book tickets in advance, the following measures are also in place:

• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors, and one-directional flow of visitors in Flower Dome
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Gardens by the Bay will reopen its ticketed attractions in phases, beginning with Flower Dome on July 1, after a closure of close to three months since the circuit breaker began in April.

Members of Gardens by the Bay’s Friends of the Gardens membership programme will be able to visit from July 1, while the public can visit from July 11.

With safety as a top priority, the other ticketed attractions – Cloud Forest, OCBC Skyway, Supertree Observatory and Floral Fantasy – as well as the Garden Rhapsody sound and light show, will open in phases at a later date. This is to ensure that the new safety and operational protocols put in place can be assessed rigorously to ensure the safety of visitors and staff at all times before Gardens by the Bay fully reopens.

Safety a Top Priority

Gardens by the Bay has launched a new app to enable visitors to enjoy a safe, contactless experience when they visit Flower Dome. The new app will allow visitors to buy and scan their tickets to Flower Dome, perform SafeEntry check-in and check-out, and get real-time updates on crowd levels in the Gardens.

Through the app, Gardens by the Bay’s 70,000 strong member-base can pre-book a time slot to visit Flower Dome. Meanwhile, ticket sales will open to public from July 7. The public can purchase their timed-entry tickets either through the app or the Gardens by the Bay website. Tickets purchased through the app will be discounted by $1 until the end of September. Physical ticketing counters at Gardens by the Bay will not be open during this period.

The app will be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from June 29.

In addition to timed-entry tickets, the number of visitors allowed in Flower Dome will be reduced by 75 per cent. These measures are put in place to stagger the entry of visitors, even out the number of people in a day, and deter over-crowding.

Gardens by the Bay Senior Director of Programming Chua Yen Ling said, “Given the limit on capacity for visitor safety, we are opening Flower Dome first to our Friends of the Gardens members, in appreciation of their support in the past year, and then to the public. We hope everyone will understand the safety of visitors is a priority for us, and make use of the app to pre-book their tickets for a safe and contactless experience.”

In addition, all other precautionary measures to ensure visitor safety will be taken. These include:

• Temperature screening
• Safe distancing of 1m and floor markers to guide people in complying
• Automatic entry and exit doors
• One-directional flow of visitors in Flower Dome
• Self-disinfecting coating on commonly touched surfaces like lift buttons and escalator railings
• Sanitisation of public amenities like toilets every hour
• Hand sanitisers available at all entrances, exits and high contact areas
• Equipping the air-chilling system in Flower Dome with high performance germicidal Ultra Violet (C) emitters similar to those used in healthcare institutions to improve air quality

Visitors will also have to comply with prevailing Covid-19 guidelines, including wearing of masks, not gathering in groups of more than five people, and observing a safe distance of 1m from other visitors.

Resilience in Reopening Flower Dome

With the disruption of the supply chain of flowers from international markets like Europe due to Covid-19, Gardens by the Bay is taking a different approach in order to overcome this challenge and design a beautiful floral display to welcome the local community back.

The main flower field features a European-themed landscape that invokes a tranquil sojourn to the countryside, dotted with popular flowers such as sunflowers, foxgloves, larkspurs, kangaroo paw, coleus and pelargoniums. These seasonal blooms from temperate countries are grown in-house by horticulturists in Gardens by the Bay’s own climate-controlled greenhouses.

In addition, Gardens by the Bay is also introducing mini garden displays in the Pocket Gardens Surprise series. These mini displays will be introduced throughout Flower Dome every fortnight to encourage visitors to explore the various nooks. The first Pocket Gardens Surprise is Edible Garden, and it is sponsored by private individual John Lo and his family in dedication to Singapore’s healthcare and safety enforcement officers.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional French potager garden, Edible Garden features vegetables and herbs grown for use in the kitchen. It is designed to inspire, educate and create awareness on the importance of food security and resilience. Nestled next to the main flower field, it features a range of interesting temperate ornamental vegetables, herbs and flowers such as colorful Swiss chards and sweet pepper, purple kohlrabi, white variegated thyme, silver sage, scented pastel pink and peach-colored sweet Williams, and violet pansies in a pleasing arrangement that draws on the beauty of symmetry.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “Today is the 8^th anniversary of Gardens by the Bay, and we are happy to receive the news that we can reopen soon, and are excited to welcome everyone back. Our operations team has been working very hard to ensure all safety protocols are in place, while our horticulturists have been toiling over the past three months to keep our precious plant collections in shape despite the limited staffing allowed onsite. All display plants are grown locally for the first time ever, from nurseries to our very own climate-controlled support glasshouses. They are every bit as beautiful, and I hope Singaporeans will buy and support #SGUNITED in these challenging times.”

For people who are not quite ready to venture out yet, Gardens by the Bay’s well-received #StayHomeWithGB online initiative on Facebook and the website will continue, with new content added every week. For example, each new Pocket Gardens Surprise will be launched with a video tour.

For more information, including the opening dates of F&B and retail outlets, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Please refer to the Annex for more information on the new Gardens by the Bay mobile app.

In a departure from their usual work, Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturists have been venturing into the online space to bring nature to people staying at home during the circuit breaker period.

From being the team responsible for the beautiful floral displays and garden landscapes of Gardens by the Bay, they have diversified to be the faces – and brains – behind #StayHomeWithGB. This online initiative features a variety of entertaining and educational plant-related content, including original video series like “Bringing the Gardens Home” and “Gardens Explorer”, an advice column called “Plant Doctor”, and an e-shop featuring plant creations handmade by horticulturists.

The content of #StayHomeWithGB is already on Facebook and is regularly updated, and also available at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/stayhomewithGB.

“Bringing the Gardens Home” is a series where a horticulturist provides tips on how to care for a variety of houseplants in the home, while “Gardens Explorer” is a series where horticulturists personally take viewers on a tour around parts of the Gardens they know well – the latest episodes feature a pair of horticulturists showcasing plant highlights in Flower Dome. These videos have up to 11,000 views on Facebook.

With the surge in interest in gardening for many who are stuck at home, “Plant Doctor” is in the house to dispense advice. People can visit Gardens by the Bay’s website or email their questions to plant.doctor@gardensbythebay.com.sg, which is personally answered by the “Plant Doctor” (in actuality, a horticulturist from the Gardens Operations team). A selection of these questions will be posted on Gardens by the Bay’s Facebook, as a way of sharing plant knowledge with the wider public.

At shop.gardensbythebay.com.sg, the highlights are limited-edition creations handmade by horticulturists. There is “The Plantsman’s Collection”, which is the brainchild of the horticulturists from the Research & Horticulture team. Each item in the collection is named after a trait that is particularly relevant during this difficult time, such as Steadfast, Cherish, Happiness, Endear and Simplicity. “The Mini Garden Series” features terrariums and floral arrangements inspired and made by horticulturists who work in indoor attraction Floral Fantasy, which is known for its whimsical and fantastical floral artistry.

#StayHomeWithGB also consolidates educational resources for parents to engage with their children at home, such as e-books and craft activities with a plant theme.

Gardens by the Bay’s Deputy Director of Conservatory Operations Gary Chua, who is one of the horticulturists in the Gardens Explorer videos, said, “Not only does #StayHomeWithGB allow us to bring Gardens by the Bay to people at home, it is also a showcase of the creativity and can-do attitude of our team of horticulturists. After all, as horticulturists we know first-hand how resilient and adaptable plants are – qualities we can certainly learn from nature during such a challenging period.”

Even Gardens by the Bay’s volunteers have gotten involved with #StayHomeWithGB. Volunteer Tay Yong Hong has filmed a video on how to reuse eggshells as a starter pot for small plants, which will be added to the content line-up soon.

He said, “Having to be at home means now is the best time to garden, and gardening tips can inspire people to start. I enjoy the video content of #StayHomeWithGB, as it’s a unique opportunity for us to hear Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturists share their expertise. It feels like we get to interact with someone from the Gardens, even though we’re all at home.”

#gardensbythebay #StayHomeWithGB #FlowersNeverStopBlooming

Flowering cherry blossoms and peach blossoms fill the Flower Dome in shades of pink and white, signalling the return of Sakura Matsuri to Gardens by the Bay. But the fifth edition of the well-loved cherry blossom festival, which will run until March 29, will take place in a different climate from previous years.

For many, travel plans have been put on hold, including the activity of making a trip to Japan during cherry blossom season. Even in Japan, several cherry blossom festivals have been cancelled. Gardens by the Bay hopes to bring joy to people not only by making it possible to enjoy cherry blossoms right here in Singapore, but to enrich the experience with its Where Flowers Never Stop Blooming initiative.

Where Flowers Never Stop Blooming

In the Where Flowers Never Stop Blooming initiative, Gardens by the Bay stands with Singaporeans to remain resilient and positive during a difficult time. As a national garden, Gardens by the Bay remains open for residents to connect and find joy in nature, in the belief that people can revitalise mind, body and soul amidst green open spaces. In a time where many people are deferring travel, the Gardens also brings a little bit of the world to Singapore.

Beginning today until March 15, Gardens by the Bay is offering 500 Singapore residents whose trips to Japan during sakura season have been disrupted by COVID-19 the chance to visit Flower Dome for free during the Sakura Matsuri floral display. People can share what their disrupted Japan trip meant to them through the Gardens’ website to stand a chance to receive tickets to Flower Dome.

The most compelling reason gets a bonus “trip to Japan” right here in Singapore, which includes Flower Dome tickets to enjoy cherry blossoms, and Pan Pacific Singapore’s Great Fun-mily Escapade package that comes with a weekend staycation for two adults and two children, with a brunch at Keyaki Japanese restaurant thrown in as well.

In a further collaboration with Pan Pacific Singapore, visitors can receive 30 per cent off their bill (until 30 June 2020) at the hotel’s Edge, Hai Tien Lo and Keyaki restaurants if they present Gardens by the Bay’s conservatory ticket.

For Gardens by the Bay, such collaborations are a way for local businesses to show support for one another, and demonstrate a united Singapore spirit.

In addition, Singapore residents can also enjoy the following promotions:

• 50 per cent off tickets to both Conservatories, Floral Fantasy and Supertree Observatory 
• March School Holiday Promotion where children aged 12 and below get free entry to both Conservatories, Supertree Observatory and Floral Fantasy
• Complimentary parking for up to four hours
• Discounts and offers at retail and F&B outlets

Details on the above promotions can be found in Annex A. More events and activities that are part of the Where Flowers Never Stop Blooming initiative will be rolled out at a later date.

Gardens by the Bay’s CEO Felix Loh said, “Gardens by the Bay was created to bring the world of plants and flowers to Singapore for everyone to enjoy. I hope this year’s Sakura Matsuri brings the excitement of cherry blossoms to Singapore, and to people who missed out on travelling to Japan due to the prevailing situation. Our green spaces continue to be open for respite and recreation.”

He continued, “Local businesses should support each other during this difficult period, and we are glad to have Pan Pacific Singapore on board to collaborate with us.”

General Manager of Pan Pacific Singapore Kurt O. Wehinger said, “We truly appreciate the efforts taken by Gardens by the Bay to rally everyone and to uplift the spirit during this challenging time, and are happy to play a small part in contributing to this event.”

More than 500 cherry and peach blossoms at Sakura Matsuri

Taking in the ephemeral sight of cherry blossoms at the launch this afternoon were Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore His Excellency Jun Yamazaki and Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Professor Tommy Koh.

This year’s floral display features over 500 cherry and peach blossom trees amidst a Japanese springtime landscape, including perennial favourites like the award-winning cherry blossom cultivar Prunus ‘Accolade’ with shell-pink blooms and the classic Prunus ‘Yedoensis’ with elegant white flowers.

So inspired was local artist Quek Kiat Sing when she visited Sakura Matsuri with her parents in 2018 that she devoted a series of paintings to cherry blossoms. Reproductions of six of her artworks can be viewed alongside the floral display this year.

Complementing the floral display in Flower Dome are free cultural programmes like Japanese tea ceremonies organised in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Singapore’s Japan Creative Centre. For anime fans, a host of free activities ranging from anime screenings and anisong concerts to appearances by celebrity cosplayers await at Anime Garden happening in the last weekend of March at The Meadow.

In addition, visitors can opt for a Hanami Experience with a difference, which includes a two-way ride between Bayfront Plaza and Flower Dome on the autonomous vehicle Auto Rider, yukata rental, a hanami pack of sakura-flavoured snacks and green tea, and sakura sake tasting.

For more information on Sakura Matsuri, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/sakura.

Sakura Matsuri

Date: Until Sunday, 29 March 2020
Time: 9.00am – 9.00pm
Location: Flower Dome
Details: Admission charge to the conservatories applies
#SakuraMatsuriGBB #AnimeGarden  #FlowersNeverStopBlooming

The submission by Kengo Kuma & Associates in collaboration with K2LD Architects has been selected as the winner of the international architectural design competition for the Founders’ Memorial. The competition, launched in January 2019, attracted a strong response of 193 submissions from local and foreign firms. From these, five designs were shortlisted by the Jury Panel.

From the five shortlisted designs, the Jury Panel unanimously selected Kengo Kuma & Associates and K2LD Architects’ submission as the winning design, as it:

• Best captures the intent and objectives of the design brief;
  
• Responds creatively to the brief and the site;
• Has distinctive architectural, landscaping and place-making characteristics;
• Is practical, economically feasible and financially sustainable;
• Is designed for safety, buildability and ease of maintenance and
• Received positive public feedback at the Founders’ Memorial Design Showcase
  

All five shortlisted designs were showcased at various locations island wide and online as part of the Founders’ Memorial Design Showcase, from November to December 2019. Over 50,000 responses were garnered, and this feedback was provided to the Jury Panel for their consideration in the evaluation of the designs.

Site-specific Design that Complements and Allows for Future Growth

The Jury Panel chose the winning design by Kengo Kuma & Associates and K2LD Architects as it stood out as a site-specific design that best encapsulates the aspirations of the design brief¹. Its organic form creates a welcome counterpoint to the domes of Gardens by the Bay. It represents a bold and imaginative new type of memorial which rises out of the landscape. Conceptually different from the other shortlisted designs, it emphasises Singapore as a “City in a Garden” and allows for future growth. More than a singular building, it is a sustainable, environmentally progressive reflection of the ideals of Singapore. In addition, the design has great potential to provide multi-layered experiences for all visitors in its blending of external and internal spaces.

Mr Lee Tzu Yang, Chairman of the Founders’ Memorial Committee, said: “The winning design is sensitive and functional, and embodies the spirit and values of Singapore’s founding team of leaders. It is a unique design, incorporating landscape and architecture, that brings visitors on a journey of discovery. The jury also noted that the winning design proposal is strong in meeting the required technical and functional criteria – for example, good accessibility and integration with Bay East Garden, connectivity to various transportation nodes, thoughtful layout of spaces and visitor flow, relatively easy to construct and to maintain, and adaptable to future programming and activities.”

According to Mr Kengo Kuma, lead architect of the winning team, “Our design concept for the Founders’ Memorial originates from the idea of a path – a journey tracing the legacy of Singapore’s founding leaders. It simultaneously honours the past, and inspires the present and future. The design aims to be a ‘living memorial’, to be owned by each new generation of Singaporeans. There will be ample spaces for the celebration of milestone events, all set against the changing skyline of Singapore.”

Mr Ko Shiou Hee, Principal of K2LD Architects, added: “The design also features multiple paths carved out of the architecture and landscape, representing Singapore’s multiculturalism. These paths merge together in the centre of the memorial, celebrating the shared values and ideals that we stand for as a nation. As a Singaporean, I am especially excited to be part of this project to honour our founding leaders and their values.”

Following the announcement of the winning design, Kengo Kuma & Associates and K2LD Architects will be commissioned to develop the design of the Founders’ Memorial with the National Heritage Board and Gardens by the Bay. The construction works for the memorial are expected to commence in 2022, and the Founders’ Memorial is expected to be completed by 2027. Public will continue to be consulted in the development of the detailed building design and the formulation of the content and programming concepts over the next few years.

For more information, please refer to the Annexes:

• Annex A: Images of the Winning Design by Kengo Kuma & Associates and K2LD Architects
• Annex B: Composition of the Winning Team
• Annex C: Architectural Design Competition Jury Panel
• Annex D: Milestones of the Founders’ Memorial Architectural Design Competition

¹ Beyond comprising a series of internal and external spaces that are intended to convey the story and meaning of Singapore’s founding values and ideals, the Founders’ Memorial is envisaged to have significant civic presence, integrate architectural and landscape design, and be accessible to visitors. These attributes were distilled from the Founders’ Memorial Committee’s engagement with Singaporeans in 2015 – 2017.

Gardens by the Bay is ready to ring in the Lunar New Year with an abundance of festive offerings for the whole family.
 

Dahlia Dreams – The Heavenly Race (大丽花之梦 – 十二生肖争霸赛)

The festivities kick off with the annual Dahlia Dreams floral display, which opens today in Flower Dome and features spectacular horticultural works of art including a five-metre-wide Fu medallion, a majestic seven-metre-tall archway, and two lucky Golden Rats, all decked in greenery.

This intricate horticultural art form uses bedding plants to carpet metal frames and create three-dimensional “living sculptures”. Known as mosaiculture, it is showcased in this year's display as part of a collaboration between Gardens by the Bay and Chinese landscape design company Beijing Florascape Co., Ltd., who is known for designing large-scale floral displays for major Chinese events such as the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China at Tiananmen Square.

Dahlia Dreams runs from today till 23 February in Flower Dome.
 

Dahlia Dreams – The Heavenly Race (大丽花之梦 – 十二生肖争霸赛)
Date: Friday, 17 January – Sunday, 23 February
Time: 9.00am - 9.00pm
Location: Flower Dome
Details: Admission charge to Flower Dome applies. Visit gardensbythebay.com.sg for details of the display.

Spring Surprise (春 · 喜)

Throughout the Gardens, there will be a myriad of free performances and activities for visitors to enjoy.

This year, Gardens by the Bay’s Chinese New Year programme Spring Surprise will see the debut of the “Golden Pyro Dragon Dance”. Performed by local troupe Tian Eng Dragon & Lion Dance Centre, this is the first time cold pyrotechnics will be incorporated into a dragon dance in Singapore to present a dazzling performance featuring a 14-metre-long dragon under a shower of fireworks-like sparkles.

Visitors can also discover the origins of Chinese New Year traditions in “The Story of Nian”. Produced by Dick Lee Asia under the creative direction of Dick Lee, this colourful retelling of the ancient Chinese legend about a mythical creature called Nian combines music, drama and puppetry, with puppet design by local award-winning puppeteer Frankie Malachi.

Spring Surprise will run from 27 January to 9 February with a series of free activities including cultural performances such as Traditional Lion Dance and Shadow Puppet Performance, as well as festive music performed by Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Ding Yi Music Company, Drum Feng, Dicapella and other musical groups. Adding to the festive atmosphere are colourful rat lanterns hand-painted by beneficiaries of REACH Community Services.
 

Spring Surprise (春 · 喜)
Date: Monday, 27 January – Sunday, 9 February
Time: Various timings.
Location: Gardens by the Bay
Details: Programmes are free. Visit gardensbythebay.com.sg for programme details.

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2020 PROMOTION

Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions and get-togethers. From 25 January to 9 February 2020, purchase one full-priced Singapore Resident Adult admission ticket to the conservatories and receive one complimentary Singapore Resident Senior admission ticket. Terms and conditions apply. Visit gardensbythebay.com.sg for details.

Please refer to:

• Annex A for highlights of Dahlia Dreams – The Heavenly Race
• Annex B for highlights of Spring Surprise

#futuretogether, the final event on the Singapore Bicentennial calendar, was officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat this evening when he lit up the ovoids of the outdoor exhibit Autonomous Resonating Life on the Water and Resonating Trees – Dragonfly Lake.

Organised in support of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration, #futuretogether is jointly presented by Gardens by the Bay and GIC, with art by art collective teamLab.

#futuretogether comprises seven indoor and outdoor exhibits, which will run until March 15. The exhibits encompass three themes – Aspirations, Connectivity and Possibilities – that relate to how Singaporeans can look forward to the future after the bicentennial year has come to a close.

Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “As the bicentennial year comes to a close, we hope to see Singaporeans come to Gardens by the Bay to experience these futuristic digital installations, and look ahead to a future filled with aspirations, possibilities and innovation for our nation.”

GIC CEO Lim Chow Kiat said, “We are pleased to support this art exhibition by teamLab and hope Singaporeans will enjoy the works at Gardens by the Bay. teamLab’s works transform everyday environments into surprising art pieces and spark insights beyond the obvious. As the manager of Singapore’s foreign reserves, GIC aspires to be anchored yet innovative, so as to secure the financial future of Singapore.”

New exhibits open to public on Jan 16

Visitors have been able to experience two of the outdoor exhibits, Autonomous Resonating Life on the Water and Resonating Trees – Dragonfly Lake and Flowers and People – Giant Lattice Mass, a Whole Year per Hour, after the soft opening of #futuretogether in December last year.

With the official launch of #futuretogether, visitors can now look forward to experiencing the four indoor exhibits, which are open to the public for the first time:
• Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives
• Flowers Bloom in an Infinite Universe inside a Teacup
• Reversible Rotation – Black in White
• Continuous Life and Death at the Now of Eternity II

In another first, visitors will be able to digitally add their well wishes for Singapore via a smartphone app to a third outdoor exhibit, Message Pillar – The Singapore Bicentennial, which was unveiled today. Using the app, visitors can view a virtual tree of wishes for the future, collected throughout the bicentennial year.
 

No general admission charge to indoor exhibits for Singapore residents

There is no general admission charge to the indoor exhibits for Singapore residents, but they are required to reserve tickets online as entry is time-stamped. For non-Singapore residents, the cost of a standard ticket to the indoor exhibits is $10.

To experience the indoor exhibit Flowers Bloom in an Infinite Universe inside a Teacup, there is a charge of $3 for Singapore residents, and $7 for non-Singapore residents.

Proceeds from the sale of tickets will go to Gardens by the Bay’s Gift of Gardens Programme. This community outreach initiative provides complimentary access to the cooled conservatories to Singapore residents who may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit, such as those who lack the resources, or individuals with disabilities.

Ticket reservations can be made on www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

#futuretogether
Date: 16 January 2020 - 15 March 2020
Outdoor exhibits: 7.00pm - 12.00am
Indoor exhibits: 9.00am - 9.00pm (last entry at 8.30pm)
Location: Bayfront Plaza
Details: Admission charge to the outdoor exhibits is free. Tickets to the indoor exhibits can be booked online from www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Hashtag: #futuretogether Tags: @gardensbythebay @gicsg @teamlab
Visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/futuretogether for more details.

Please refer to the Annex for information on the exhibits of #futuretogether.