SINGAPORE - A 6m-high and 12m-wide larger-than-life topiary of the Singapore map at the Changi Airport was created using more than 700 plants and multiple lights.
The topiary has another 1,000 plants and flowers at its base, adorned by a mirrored sculpture of the number 50. A lighted crescent moon and five stars pay homage to Singapore's national flag.
The display at Terminal 2 is the main highlight in a line up of activities and events, centred on the theme "Changi, I'm Home", planned for Singapore's 50th birthday this year, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said during a media preview on Tuesday.
Visitors can look forward to topiary displays of local tourism symbols such as the trishaw and bumboat, or catch specially dressed Skytrains traversing between terminal buildings.
Other highlights include a walk down memory lane and a glimpse of the future - with 50 icons to celebrate Singapore and the country's aviation history.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents are also invited to share their memories of the airport through an online photo-sharing contest. Details are available at www.changiairport.com/SG50
As part of Changi Airport's SG50 celebrations, a new video - I'm Home - has been released.
Directed by award-winning directors Charles Lim and Wee Li Lin, the video is backed by a soundtrack performed by homegrown talent Benjamin Kheng of The Sam Willows.
The video shows how Changi Airport makes passengers and visitors feel like it is home, with the music tempo, text on-screen and lyrics evoking the joys that Singaporeans have experienced at the airport, especially the welcoming sight of it with every homecoming, the airport said.
In the spirit of giving, CAG will increase its contribution to fund programmes for disadvantaged youths, through the more than 30 donation boxes placed across the airport.
This year, Changi Foundation - the airport's charity arm - will give $5 for every dollar dropped into the donation boxes.
Beneficiaries of the Foundation have included Assumption Pathway School, Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association, Crest Secondary School, Institute of Technical Education, Northlight School, Students Care Service and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
Changi's senior vice-president for airport operations management and chairman of the SG50 organising committee, Mr Jayson Goh, said: "As we celebrate our nation's Golden Jubilee, we also commemorate our country's aviation journey thus far - a journey that Changi Airport has been honoured to be a part of, and will continue to contribute to, intimately."
He added: "As Singapore's gateway to the world, Changi Airport has been part and parcel of Singaporeans' lives. Over the years, many have amassed fond memories of the airport and, therefore, it is only befitting for us to join hands with them to celebrate this important milestone."
