Australia's '50 Bridges' event to celebrate half-century of ties with Singapore

SINGAPORE - Being the first country to forge diplomatic ties with Singapore, Australia has announced a series of events to celebrate the countries' 50-year relationship as well as SG50.

The Australian High Commission's 50 Bridges event will include bringing professional street artists and performers here from Down Under.

The event will consist of three segments - 50 Walls, 50 Performances and 50 BBQs.

Street artists will paint a total of 50 walls in places like Kampong Glam, schools and heartland areas.

The second component of 50 Performances will see two Australian theatre companies taking puppetry performances to locations such as MRT stations and hawker centres.

There will also be an animation film voiced by Singapore pioneers. Featuring sketches by primary school students of past Singapore, it is directed by a Melbourne-based animator and aims to marry the imagination of the young with memories of the past.

Finally 50 BBQs, will see 10,000 steaks cooked and given out to Singaporeans in heartland areas from 50 barbeque pits stationed across the island.

The first two segments will take place between May 18 and 29. More information will be released about 50 BBQs at a later date.

Australian High Commissioner Philip Green. said: "We celebrate this milestone in our relationship as any good friend would while looking very much forward to traversing the next decade together as strategic partners in the region and beyond."

rtan@sph.com.sg

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