Istana open house to be held on Nov 9 in celebration of Deepavali
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Visitors can look forward to activities such as traditional arts and cultural performances.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – The Istana will be open to the public on Nov 9, from 8.30am to 6pm, in celebration of Deepavali.
Visitors will be able to explore the Istana grounds, watch cultural performances and take part in activities celebrating the Festival of Lights.
Activities on offer range from traditional arts and cultural performances to modern workshops.
These include Deepavali traditions such as making toranams, which are garlands, and decorating deepams, which are oil lamps.
There will also be workshops where visitors can try horseshoe painting, learn crocheting techniques and experiment with water marbling.
Visitors can also take part in animal-assisted therapy with mini horses, and in activities that offer a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with visual impairments.
Cultural performances will take place from 10am to 5pm.
These include Tamil music and Indian classical dance bharatanatyam by Kalamanjari, interactive dance by Sri Warisan, and circus arts by APSN Katong School.
The programme also features drum performances by Minds Towner Gardens School and musical pieces jointly performed by Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore with East Spring Secondary School and Tampines Meridian Junior College.
Other performers include the StarDance crew of Shine Children and Youth Services, Apex Harmony Lodge and St Andrew’s School Concert Band.
Visitors keen to explore the Istana grounds can take in its architecture and flora and fauna.
Self-guided tours of the Istana Villa are available from 8.30am to 6pm, where visitors can view a collection of state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders. Visitors who have pre-registered for the guided Istana Heritage Tour will tour the grounds during their chosen time slot between 9am and 4pm.
Entry to the open house is only via the main gate in Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
Admission is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents, including their caregivers.
All other visitors will need to pay an entrance fee of $20 an adult and $10 a child aged between four and 12.
There will be added fees for entering the Istana Villa and to take the guided heritage tour.
All proceeds from entry to the Istana grounds and tours will go to charities supported by the President’s Challenge.
More information on the open house can be found at istana.gov.sg
Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that visitors would be able to create rangoli sand art at the open house. In an update, the President’s Office said the activity will no longer be offered at the event.
