Every Singaporean has a story to share, and it is with these experiences that form the Singapore narrative.

That was the thinking behind this year's National Day Parade theme "Many Stories... One Singapore" that was unveiled on Thursday by the NDP 2013 executive committee, together with the NDP logo, a group of colourful rippling circles that together form the shape of the island.

"We think that the sharing of stories is a very compelling way of bringing people together. Most of us have our individual stories of growing up in Singapore, of going to school, to NS, making lifelong friends... Or even going to different places in Singapore to eat our favourite food," said committee chairman Brigadier-General Perry Lim, adding that these, along with Singapore's fight against Sars and it's "Garden City" journey, have "defined us as a nation".

To underscore the more personal nature of this year's parade, the National Day song will not be sung by celebrities but by a choir consisting of 10 groups of Singaporeans from all walks of life who were selected at auditions held earlier. These include groups of friends and family.

This year's 48th NDP will be led by theatre actress Selena Tan of Dimsum Dollies fame. Ms Tan, who is the creative director of this year's show, said she aims to inject a hearty dose of fun into the traditional pomp and pageantry. "I think we want to bring in the comedy," she said. "Every now and then you want to let go, you want to scream and shout at something that is funny, or even a reflection of yourself. I think that's important and I hope to bring that into the national day Parade."