It’s one big party in Singapore after another. As if the National Day Parade earlier this week couldn’t satisfy the patriotic fervour of the masses, there was the grand Opening Ceremony of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games yesterday. This time, the 2700 spectators, including representatives from 204 National Olympic Committees (countries and territories), were all given mini Singapore flags to wave. My eyebrows twitched. It looked like another NDP: multi-racial cultural performances, flag-raising and the National Anthem, the story of Singapore in chapters of song and dance, lots of little children running across the stage, cheesy music and lyrics, drumming and and visual effects. And there was a giant furry ’scary’ monster that’s supposed to represent our deepest inner fears. The human scale was small, choreography was poor in many aspects and the whole thing just lacked impact. But ahh well, it’s a show for youngsters performed by youngsters. So long as they’re having fun, and are proud to keep their country’s flags wavin’ high. We keep thinking in terms of publicity and PR value and credentials. ‘Adult talk?!’
I was on the bank opposite from the floating platform, from where torch-bearers would send the flame on its last leg by boat across the waters of Marina Bay. Witnessed the fireworks and the lighting of the lighthouse cauldron by the Youth Olympic Flame (Xi, now here’s a lighthouse you’d want to shoot!).
Headlines in the local news today were full of praises for the show and for Singapore. Took a glance at BBC, Sydney Morning Herald, CNN, and some other international media. Took a closer look, dug around a little. Couldn’t find anything about it. So much for this being a truly world-class show and the nation’s largest international event. Let’s see what the next 13 days of Games and the Closing Ceremony will bring.
Passing the flame
The Float@Marina Bay
Boom boom