Getting There

Date	Event & Description
11 Feb 1999 to 31 Dec 2002	Heritage Exhibition View this splendid display of the vibrant multi-ethnic cultures of Singapore. Visitors can gain insights into the lifestyles of the four ethnic groups by trying their hands on the traditional instruments, ethnic costumes and even walk on a five-footway (corridor) of a traditional shop-house, all within one gallery. Daily utilitarian items from yesteryears are also on display. The museum is open from 9am to 6pm, Tuesdays through Sundays.
20 Mar 1999 to 31 Dec 2002	Imaging Selves This exhibition inaugurates the Singapore Art Museum's Permanent Collection Exhibition Programme. Five galleries are dedicated to the display of the museum's fine collection of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art. Featuring up to 100 works of art, Imaging Selves takes a look at the construction and representation of identity and self through the genre of portraiture.
7 Dec 2000 to 31 Dec 2002	The Peranakan Legacy This exhibition showcases the unique material heritage of the Peranakan or "local-born" Chinese in Singapore, Malaysia and the Indonesian Archipelago. Visitors will find dedicated displays on the textile, beadwork, silverwork, porcelain, betel-chewing and jewellery traditions of the Peranakan. Highlights include an exquisite silver and porcelain pieces from the holdings of the Mariette Collection; a major private collection of Peranakan art.
1 Sep 2002 to 16 Nov 2002	for Art's sake! For three months, you'll be swarmed with doses of arts of every imaginable kind from all around the island. Take a stroll in Singapore Botanic Gardens and be entertained by various arts groups. Catch a hilarious drama in the theatre or immerse yourself in a variety of India, Mexican or Chinese festivities. For those with a penchant for rare paintings, join in the bid at an auction. So be prepared for a host of local and international arts and cultural events for the whole season.
6 Oct 2002 to 14 Oct 2002	Nine Emperor Gods Festival At the Nine Emperor Gods Temple, peace and serenity are replaced by sounds of celebration as Chinese believers rejoice in the "visit" of the Nine Emperor Gods, believed to cure ailments and bestow good fortune and longevity during this time. For nine days, priests write charms with their blood and an elaborate and dramatic parade highlights the celebration. Take a close look at the images of the nine gods as they are paraded in an intricate sedan chair carried by eight men. Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately.
6 Oct 2002 to 3 Nov 2002	Pilgrimage to Kusu Island It is believed that a turtle once turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors (a Chinese and a Malay) from drowning. Today, Taoists make annual pilgrimage to the Tua Pekong Temple on Kusu Island to pray for prosperity, good luck and fertility.
17 Oct 2002 to 25 Oct 2002	Navarathiri Festival Dates to be confirmed. Navarathiri means "nine lights" in Tamil and the festival is specially dedicated to three Hindu goddesses - Dhurga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. For nine nights, the Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road; Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple in Serangoon Road and Sri Thandayuthapani Temple at Tank Road echoes with exotic Indian music, songs and dances in their honour. This nine-night festival is divided into three segments of three nights, each dedicated to one goddess at one time. On the tenth night, a dramatic procession closes the celebration. Look out for the magnificent silver horse that leads a congregation of devout followers in colourful Indian attire. Over at other Hindu temples, visitors can attend evening prayer sessions and performances of classical Indian music and dance from 7.30pm to 10pm nightly. Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately and shoes to be removed at the doors. An event "for Art's Sake!"
19 Oct 2002 to 16 Nov 2002	Deepavali Light-Up 2002 Marking the Festival of Lights, Little India will explode into vibrant colours and lights as the stretch of Serangoon Road and Campbell Lane take on a special glow. The Best Shophouse Competition will be held in Little India as shopkeepers vie for the coveted Best Shophouse Decoration Award. So walk down thenlighted streets and look out for those specially decorated shophouses and temples.
20 Oct 2002	Thimithi Festival Date to be confirmed. Witness the courage, faith and endurance of Hindu devotees at Thimithi, an annual fire-walking ceremony honouring the Goddess Draupadi, a heroine of the epic poem "Mahabharata". In honour of her courage, devotees subject themselves to the test of faith by walking barefooted across a 4 m red-hot coalpit. Between the intense heat and cold chills, fire-walkers focus in deep concentration to complete the challenge miraculously unscathed as the crowd heaves a sigh of relief. Festival celebrations begin at 2am at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, Little India and the fire-walking starts at 5pm at Sri Mariamman Temple. Temple etiquette requires visitors to be dressed appropriately and shoes to be removed at the doors.