Singapore Pavilion Opens at EXPO 2000 Hannover, Germany

Singapore's Commissioner General to Expo 2000, Ambassador Walter Woon will

officially open the country's pavilion in Hanover this morning, together with

the Deputy Commissioner General of EXPO 2000, Mr Norbert Bargmann, the Chairman

and Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Cheng and Mr Yeo Khee Leng respectively, of the

Singapore Tourism Board, the agency spearheading Singapore's participation at

EXPO 2000.

Highlights of the day's celebrations include a cultural dance, the presentation

of 50 trishaws to the EXPO organisers, a traditional Lion Dance performance

followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an inaugural tour of the Pavilion.

Guests, which include the pavilion directors of other nations, the media as

well as Singaporean corporate participants, will have the opportunity to

preview the Singapore pavilion before the EXPO commences from 1 June / 31

October.

The morning's festivities will begin with a mini parade of trishaws led by the

four Guests-of-Honour in their inaugural ride to the Pavilion. Formerly used as

a mode of transport by locals, the trishaw is now commonly used by tourists as

one of the means of exploring parts of the city. As a symbol of the handover of

all 50 brand new trishaws to the EXPO organisers, a trishaw replica will be

presented by Ambassador Woon, Mr Cheng and Mr Yeo to the organisers,

represented by Mr Bargmann.

"Our gift of 50 trishaws is intended as a contribution from Singapore to EXPO

2000 and it is hoped that these environmentally-friendly Singaporean street

icons will be a memento of Singapore's participation here" explained Pavilion

Director, Ms Polly Leong.

Following the presentation of the trishaws, the pavilion will be officially

declared opened with a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony by the four

Guests-of-Honour. Guests will then proceed to the first official guided tour

after viewing a video presentation on the milestones of the building of the

Pavilion.

Singapore's theme for its participation at the EXPO 2000 is New Asia )

Singapore. It conveys the story of the island-city-state from its past as a

British colony to independence to what it is today . The central EXPO 2000

issues, Humankind ) Nature ) Technology, will be viewed and presented from the

perspective of the young, modern and progressive nation in the Southeast Asian

region.

During the next five months, visitors will be offered an experience of

Singapore through the Pavilion, its exhibits and events. The contrast of the

glass-steel entrance facade against a row of unique shophouses reflects the

cityscape of modern city embracing its heritage. The quayside area features the

alfresco dining lifestyle that Singaporeans enjoy while the roof-top garden,

filled with orchids and greenery, adds a touch of the Garden City, conveying at

the same time, Singapore+s awareness of the need for balance between nature and

urbanity. Two multi-sensory theatres with a space capacity for 230 people

forming the heart of the pavilion will offer an insight into Singapore's past,

present and future.

More highlights throughout the EXPO period at the Singapore Pavilion are

Singapore's 35th National Day on 9 August, 2000 and the Food-Festival from 15

September to 31 October. The Singapore Pavilion will also offer a variety of

daily programmes to introduce the visitors to traditional games, pastimes, arts

and handicrafts of Singapore.