Media Room

This year, Gardens by the Bay witnessed an exciting calendar with significant milestones and events, colourful floral displays, and distinguished awards and accolades.

Highlights of 2013

• Welcoming our 5,000,000th visitor – We welcomed our 5-millionth visitor, 17-year-old Singaporean student, Harlynna Bte Rahmat, just days prior to the Gardens’ first anniversary. In the past year since opening, the Gardens has grown to become a popular green space in the city, embraced by people of all ages and from all walks of life.
• Celebrating our 1st birthday – Thousands came together for a mass picnic under the stars in celebration of the Gardens’ first anniversary. The event known as “Gardens Party One” was among the highlights of our anniversary celebrations, which also included “Mystical Supertrees”, a captivating visual treat where brilliant imagery projected on the Supertrees seemingly came to life through special video-mapping technology.
• Creating Singapore’s largest tulip display – “Tulipmania” by Gardens by the Bay saw an impressive 40,000 tulip bulbs flown in from the Netherlands courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Over 100 volunteers helped out with the planting. The event brought visitors on a journey into the colourful world of tulips – right here on the equator.
• Collaborating with international floral designer Kazuyuki Ishihara –For the first time, the Gardens is collaborating with an international designer to create a floral display in the Flower Dome. A multiple gold medallist at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, Ishihara's expressive and artful approach to floral design will delight the young and old with a creative arrangement of fruits and vegetables entitled “Christmas Sugar Mountain” from 20 November 2013 to 5 January 2014.
• Blooming of the first successful hybrid of “Corpse Flower” – The Amorphophallus ‘John Tan’ (named in honour of Singaporean John Tan Jiew Hoe for his support of the Amorphophallus hybridisation programme) measured 205 cm at the time of flowering. A first in Singapore, the flower was displayed in our Cloud Forest and enthralled plant enthusiasts and visitors alike.
• Unveiling “Planet” by internationally acclaimed Marc Quinn – Created by British artist Marc Quinn and donated by Mr and Mrs Putra Masagung for permanent display, “Planet” adds to the 40 over artworks in the Gardens and serves as a prominent landmark to our city gateway.
• Launching the “GB Ambassadors” school programme – With Girl Guides Singapore as inaugural partner, we launched “GB Ambassadors”, a school engagement and outreach initiative where students have the opportunity to help out with guiding, facilitating educational programmes, etc.

A Rewarding Year

Following last year’s conferment of “World Building of the Year”, Gardens by the Bay continued to be recognised this year with a series of awards and accolades.

On the global front, some of the awards received include the prestigious RIBA Lubetkin Prize from the Royal Institute of British Architects, and two awards at the International Architecture Awards 2013 jointly presented by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Closer to home, the Gardens received the Green Mark for Parks from the Building and Construction Authority; made notable Gold achievements at the LIAS Awards of Excellence by Landscape Industry Association (Singapore); marked its ground at the 13th SIA Architectural Design Awards by Singapore Institute of Architects; and received a special award at the Skyrise Greenery Awards by National Parks Board. The Singapore Tourism Board also gave special recognition to the Gardens for “Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism” at this year’s Singapore Experience Awards.

Looking Ahead to 2014

As a living entity, Gardens by the Bay will continue to grow and evolve. Some of the exciting things to look out for in next year include:

• Far East Organization Children’s Garden – Come January, this one-hectare space will officially open its doors and provide kids up to the age of 12 with a venue for fun and interactive play in a garden setting.
• Sun Pavilion – Slated to open in the first quarter of 2014, this cactus house will showcase plants from the semi-arid regions of the world.
• “Gardens by the Bay Goes around the World” – Within the Flower Dome, visitors can look forward to an exciting year of floral displays that celebrate the uniqueness of plants and cultures in different parts of the globe. This series of floral display changes will bring different geographical regions of the world to the people of Singapore, and showcase flowers such as roses, tulips, iris, orchids and more.
• Singapore Garden Festival – In August, the Gardens will open its doors for the first time to the Singapore Garden Festival. Regarded as Asia’s best garden and flower show, the event will bring together local and overseas designers to showcase their masterpieces from 16 to 24 August. In conjunction with the Festival and in line with our “Gardens by the Bay Goes around the World” theme, we will also have on display “Orchids around the World”, including our national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim and other local hybrids.

From today to 10 November, Gardens by the Bay will see the Flower Dome transformed into a colourful floral tapestry as we celebrate Deepavali – the Festival of Lights!

Inspired by the traditional Indian decorative art kolam, the Deepavali themed floral display features Indian fabric lanterns sitting on a bed of vivid purple and orange flora, made up of flowers like Amaranths, Cone Flowers and Cockscombs, while lamps and carved wooden elephants add to the festive ambience.

This kaleidoscopic display of tradition, colours and lights will bring a befitting close to the “Celebrations!” series of floral displays at the Gardens.

In celebration of Deepavali, there will also be a 15% discount on admission tickets to the conservatories from 1 to 3 November 2013.

On 26 and 27 October, keep an eye out for Celebrating Cultures: The Kathakali Performance, an array of painted faces, sophisticated hand gestures and elaborate costumes accompanied by a “live” ensemble of percussion music and classical singing.

On 2 and 3 November, go on a journey of discovery at the Gardens withYou Light Up My Life, a themed activity to educate about the significance of Deepavali, where visitors can try their hand at decorating little lamps specially for the occasion.

DEEPAVALI TICKETING PROMOTION
15% discount on admission tickets to Conservatories from 1 to 3 November 2013.

Terms & Conditions -

1. Discount is applicable on the prevailing Standard and Local Resident admission rates only.
2. Applies to tickets purchased at on-site Ticketing Counters only.
3. Limited to 4 discounted tickets (mixture of adult and child) per transaction.
4. Offer does not include OCBC Skyway and Garden Cruiser.
5. Child admission ticket is valid for children aged between 3 to 12 years old.
6. No claims will be entertained for any lost, torn, defaced or expired tickets.
7. Admission ticket purchased is not refundable or exchangeable for cash and is only valid for the day of entry.
8. Discount not valid with any other offers/promotions.
9. Discount is not valid for Friends of the Garden Individual and Family Annual Pass.

DEEPAVALI SPECIALS
CELEBRATING CULTURES: THE KATHAKALI PERFORMANCE
Celebrate Deepavali with a Kathakali performance accompanied by a ‘live’ ensemble of percussion music and classical singing. Be captivated by the animated eye movements, painted faces, sophisticated hand gestures and elaborate costumes creatively used to portray animals and plants.

Date: Saturday, 26 & Sunday, 27 October
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: Supertree Grove
Programme Charge: Free

YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE
This November, go on a journey of discovery at the Gardens, with special themed tours, craft workshops, and other fun activities for the whole family to enjoy! Learn the significance of Deepavali and some of the associated customs as you celebrate the Festival of Lights with your family at the Gardens. Then, try your hand at decorating your own little lamp specially for this occasion.

Date: Saturday, 2 November & Sunday, 3 November
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Flower Dome (South American Garden and Mediterranean Garden)
Details: Programme charge is free but admission charge to the conservatories applies. Spaces are limited and based on a first-come-first-served basis

Amorphophallus ‘John Tan’ now on display in the “Cloud Forest” conservatory for a limited period

Today marks the fascinating flowering of Amorphophallus ‘John Tan’ – the first successful hybrid of the Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum).

Named in honour of Singaporean Mr John Tan Jiew Hoe for his generous support of the Amorphophallus hybridisation programme, theAmorphophallus ‘John Tan’ is a cross between the Amorphophallus titanum and the Amorphophallus variabilis. It is known to grow at a rate of about 9 cm per day and its flowering is unpredictable.

The hybrid at Gardens by the Bay – a first in Singapore – measured 205 cm at time of flowering. Donated by Mr John Tan, it is currently on display in the “Cloud Forest” cooled conservatory and its flower is estimated to last for about 2 days only.

More on the Amorphophallus:

• Amorphophallusis a genus of some 200 tropical and subtropical tuberous herbaceous plants from the Arum family (Araceae).
• The Amorphophallus ‘John Tan’ is a hybrid between theAmorphophallus titanum and the Amorphophallus variabilis.
• The Amorphophallus titanum, also known as Corpse Flower, produces one of the largest flowers in the world that emits a foul smell similar to decaying meat. It originates from Sumatra, Indonesia.
• The Amorphophallus variabilis, found in Indonesia and the Philippines, is reportedly a food source in Java. Its flower produces a durian-like smell to attract pollinators.

Mid-Autumn Festival comes alive at the Gardens with a vibrant flower field, dazzling lanterns, extended admission hours & festive promotions!

Starting today, the Mid-Autumn Festival line-up transforms Gardens by the Bay into a magical display of light and colour, bringing the Gardens to life with an enchanting display of lanterns and flowers!

The new Mid-Autumn themed floral display in the Flower Dome features three striking dragonfly lanterns perched amidst a field of vibrant flora such as "lantern flowers" like Begonias and autumn-blooms like Chrysanthemums, Astilbes and Celosias, while Chinese lanterns add to the festive ambience and traditional paper cut-outs illustrate the myths and legends behind this festival.

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there will be an extension of operating hours and a 15% discount on admission tickets to the conservatories from 13 to 22 September 2013.

From 13 to 22 September, keep an eye out too for Mid-Autumn Festival @ The Gardens 2013, with a colourful display of hand-crafted lanterns in the outdoor gardens and The Meadow, exciting stage performances, competitions, and activities where proceeds will go to the President’s Challenge 2013.

Visitors will also get a chance to win Gardens by the Bay memorabilia gift packages worth $50 in our Snap & Win! Contest, when they upload photos of the Mid-Autumn celebrations at Gardens by the Bay on their Instagram account.

Dining outlets such as Peach Garden Noodle House and Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant are also running mooncake promotions exclusively for selected credit cards till 19 September.

MID-AUTUMN TICKETING PROMOTION

15% discount on admission tickets to Conservatories from 13 to 22 September 2013.

Terms & Conditions -

1. Discount is applicable on the prevailing Standard and Local Resident admission rates only. 
2. Applies to tickets purchased at on-site Ticketing Counters only.
3. Limited to 4 discounted tickets (mixture of adult and child) per transaction.
4. Offer does not include OCBC Skyway and Garden Cruiser.
5. Child admission ticket is valid for children aged between 3 to 12 years old.
6. No claims will be entertained for any lost, torn, defaced or expired tickets.
7. Admission ticket purchased is not refundable or exchangeable for cash and is only valid for the day of entry.
8. Discount not valid with any other offers/promotions.
9. Discount is not valid for Friends of the Garden Individual and Family Annual Pass.

EXTENDED ADMISSION HOURS

Operating hours for the two conservatories and OCBC Skyway will be extended to 11pm from 13 to 22 September. Operating hours for selected F&B outlets in the Gardens will also be extended during this period.

Date: Friday, 13 September - Sunday, 22 September
Time: 9am to 11pm
Location: Cooled Conservatories and OCBC Skyway
Details:

• Admission charge to the conservatories applies
• Last ticket sale at 10pm
• Last admission at 10:30pm 

SNAP & WIN

Come down to Gardens by the Bay from 13 to 22 September 2013 and share photos of the Mid-Autumn celebrations with us! It could be the elaborately crafted lantern sets displayed around the Gardens, the Mid-Autumn themed floral display in the Flower Dome, or the exciting performances and delicious food at The Meadow.

Add an interesting caption to your photos and upload onto your Instagram account with the following hashtags - #midautumnatgb & #gardensbythebay.

3 lucky winners will each win a Gardens by the Bay memorabilia gift package worth $50!

Winners will be announced on @gardensbythebay & Facebook page

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL @ THE GARDENS 2013
Jointly organised by the Chinese Newspapers Division of Singapore Press Holdings, People's Association and Gardens by the Bay, Mid-Autumn Festival @ The Gardens 2013 comprises a series of lantern displays, performances and activities featuring talent search competition, photography competition, lantern-making exhibitions, Chinese chess competition, lantern riddles and fitness challenge, and various displays of Chinese art forms.

Several fundraising activities will also be held during the celebrations, with proceeds going to President’s Challenge 2013. These include releasing water lanterns and sky lanterns, as well as a one-day Family Fun Walk.

Themed Lantern Exhibitions
Check out themed lantern exhibitions such as Jurassic Park, World of Fairy Tales and lots more in various locations in Gardens by the Bay.

Asian Food Street & Handicraft Stalls
Try different types of delicacies from China, Taiwan and Singapore, and purchase intricate Chinese handicrafts from the variety of stalls!

Creative Lantern-making Exhibition
This creative lantern-making exhibition will see a display of the most elaborate and creative of lanterns submitted by contestants.

Performances by China Hainan Provincial Committee
The China Hainan Provincial Committee will grace the event to showcase the region’s specialties and celebrate the festival through dance, music, food and handicrafts.

Date: Friday, 13 September – Sunday, 22 September
Time: 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Fri), 3pm – 11pm (Sat – Sun)
Location: Bay South Gardens
Programme Charge: Free admission

http://www.sph.com.sg/article.display.php?id=16001

MOONCAKE SPECIALS

PEACH GARDEN NOODLE HOUSE

Enjoy Mid-Autumn mooncakes with credit card discounts at Peach Garden Noodle House. Get a 15% discount on a 4-piece box and above from 1 to 19 September. A special credit card discount applies for 4-piece traditional mooncake combination by selected banks.

Date: Till 19 September
Location: Peach Garden Noodle House
Details:

• Not valid with other offers, credit cards, discount card promotion.
• Peach Garden Management reserve the rights to change the mooncake flavour if necessary.
• Please check with Peach Garden Noodle House service staff for the selected bank promotion.
• Not valid for “Premium Lotus Paste (White) with 4 Yolks” mooncake.
• For more information, please contact 6604 6733.

MAJESTIC BAY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Celebrate Mid-Autumn with traditional mooncakes by the Majestic Culinary Team. Citibank credit and debit card members enjoy a 15% discount till 19 September.

Date: Till 19 September
Location: Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant
Details:

• Customers can purchase the traditional mooncakes from the booth at Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant. For snow skin or bulk orders, customers will be referred back to Majestic Restaurant.
• For more information, please contact 6604 6604.

This August to November, Gardens by the Bay celebrates National Day and the festivals of Hari Raya, Mid-Autumn Festival and Deepavali with a series of changing floral displays in the Flower Dome themed “Celebrations!”.

Hari Raya & National Day
Starting today, “Celebrations!” kicks off with a red-and-white Hari Raya themed floral display which also ties in with National Day. The floral display not only showcases a variety of flora such as orchids, roses and begonias, but also features the five stars of the national flag. Complementing the display are traditional Malay celebratory ornaments such as the Bunga Telur and Bunga Manggar. Of the flowers featured in the display, the orchids are commonly associated with Singapore while roses have traditionally been used by the Malay community in combination with Pandan leaves and other fragrant flowers to make Bunga Rampai, an aromatic confetti given out during times of celebration.

In conjunction with Singapore’s 48th National Day and Hari Raya celebrations, local residents will enjoy a $4.80 discount on local admission tickets to the cooled conservatories from 7 to 11 August.

Also on the calendar in August is the fortnightly Garden Series, which is collaborating with several local schools this month to put up a series of free performances in the Gardens over two weekends.

Mid-Autumn Festival
Come September, the flower field will undergo another change in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, also commonly known as Lantern Festival. This time round, flowers and lanterns will take centre stage, with “lantern flowers” like Fuchsias and Abutilons sitting alongside autumn-blooms such as Chrysanthemums and Goldenrods.

Deepavali
From mid-October to early November, the Gardens will celebrate Deepavali with a floral display inspired by the colourful kolam, a traditional Indian decorative art. Vibrant colours of purple and orange from flowers like Amaranths, Cone Flowers and Cockscombs will be complemented by Indian fabric lanterns, lamps and carved wooden elephants, bringing “Celebrations!” to a befitting close with a floral tapestry of colour!

For more updates on “Celebrations!” and other programmes and promotions at the Gardens, visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg.

Gardens by the Bay kicked off its first anniversary celebrations this evening with “Gardens Party One”, an event which saw thousands converge on the sprawling grass lawn of The Meadow for a mass picnic under the stars, special performances by local artistes Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah, Li Feihui, Jack & Rai, and contestants from “The Final 1”, and an open-air pasar malam (night market) with food and games galore.

The event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Adviser to Telok Blangah GROs, Minister for Trade and Industry, and hosted by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for National Development.

A Garden of Celebration
In conjunction with Gardens by the Bay’s first anniversary, West Coast GRC and Pioneer Constituency Grassroots Organisations  organised their Family Day Celebration for residents to come together to have fun and bond with their family and the community.

Mr Cedric Foo, Adviser to Pioneer GROs, Mr Arthur Fong, Adviser to Clementi GROs, and Ms Foo Mee Har, Adviser to Ayer Rajah GROs joined participants at the event.

Also soaking up the celebrative atmosphere was 17-year-old Singaporean student Harlynna Bte Rahmat who became the Gardens’ five-millionth visitor on 24 June, when she arrived with her mother, Madam Harlynda, and brother Razaliff and was surprised by Gardens staff with a gift hamper.

An excited Harlynna recalled, “I had never been to Gardens by the Bay and had thought to bring my mum and brother to walk around and see the beautiful scenery and the domes. It was really an unexpected surprise to be told that I was the five-millionth visitor!"

Earlier this afternoon, Harlynna and her family were treated to a private guided tour as part of a special “Gardens Experience” which included a F&B voucher to dine at Satay by the Bay, a complimentary one-year “Friends of the Gardens” membership, and limited-edition Gardens by the Bay first anniversary commemorative T-shirts. Harlynna was also presented with a gift of a Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone by Minister Khaw during “Gardens Party One”.

A Garden for the Community 
Since opening on 29 June 2012, Gardens by the Bay has quickly established itself as an international icon and a must-see attraction. The Gardens received its one-millionth visitor less than two months after opening. In the past year, it has won accolades both locally and around the world. The BBC lauded the Gardens as “a living wonder”, Fodors described it as the “Central Park of Asia”, while The Sydney Morning Herald called it “Avatar in real life”. The Gardens scored an architectural coup when it won the prestigious World Building of the Year Award at the World Architecture Festival 2012 for its revolutionary energy-sustainable cooled conservatories.

Despite the worldwide acclaim, Gardens by the Bay remains first and foremost a People’s Garden.

“We are delighted to have grown Gardens by the Bay from the ground up to become a popular green space in the city for people from all walks of life. To welcome five million visitors just before our first anniversary is a great encouragement to the team, and we look forward to being a special place for more people to build their memories for years to come,” said Dr Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Gardens by the Bay.

“Some of the community initiatives that we have launched in our first year include the “Gift of Gardens”, which provides an opportunity for beneficiaries from charities to experience the wonders of nature, and “GB Ambassadors”, a school engagement and outreach programme. We are also fortunate to have the support of a dedicated group of volunteers and partners who have contributed greatly to the growth of the Gardens. Today’s event is really for all to celebrate the first birthday of their garden,” Dr Tan added.

Among those who came for “Gardens Party One” were some 8,000 residents from West Coast GRC and Pioneer Constituency. The residents played cultural and traditional games which were staged to reinforce the importance of making new friends, understanding each other and establishing trust across different segments of the community. This is the essence of the Community Engagement Programme.

Mr Steven Lim, BBM, Chairman of Telok Blangah Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) said, “We hold a Family Day Celebration every year for residents to participate in activities together with their family members, and for them to use this platform to get to know their neighbours better. This year, we are happy to partner Gardens by the Bay to co-organise this big celebration. Many of our residents had a great time today as they were able to spend quality family time and have fun together. I believe that a family who plays together stays together, and a nation that bonds together remains resilient.“

West Coast GRC and Pioneer Constituency residents and new immigrants, together with volunteers from The Everyday Revolution (TEF), a non-profit organisation that works with special needs artists, created artworks which were sold on the spot to help children with autism. This meaningful initiative gave local Singaporeans and new immigrants an opportunity to work together for a common social cause which also strengthened their friendship.

A Garden of Diversity
Another important accomplishment that Gardens by the Bay has achieved is the preservation of the rich botanical heritage of Singapore and the region. While the cooled conservatories are botanical arks that showcase some of the rarer species of the plant kingdom, and the Supertrees take vertical gardens to a new level, the outdoor gardens are a horticultural mosaic that celebrates biodiversity and multiculturalism.

The Gardens is home to a number of mature trees transplanted from various parts of Singapore, such as Ficus trees from Bishan which are now a focal point in the Indian Garden, Frangipani trees from Bidadari Cemetery which now flourish in the Colonial Garden, and Cannonball trees from Upper Cross Street which are now used to tell the story of fruits and flowers in The World of Plants section of the Gardens. Given the diversity of plants, the Gardens has also provided habitats for a variety of birds, butterflies and dragonflies.

Gardens by the Bay, in a sense, can be seen as a botanical version of the microcosm of multiculturalism that is Singapore. In the past one year, a number of plants that have established in the Gardens have also gone on to be propagated and planted in other parts of the island.

Gardens by the Bay kicks off the June holidays with a brand-new thematic floral display in the cooled conservatories! This is the first time that the changing display, which typically takes place in the "Flower Dome" conservatory, will extend to the "Cloud Forest" conservatory.

Entitled “Flight of Fancy”, the colourful display – complete with miniature hot air balloons, airplanes and kites, and dotted with intriguing flight-related facts – will open up the minds of many and bring the entire family on a fun-filled and educational journey of discovery. Find out – Are bats really blind? What plants are pollinated by bats? How do seeds disperse by wind? Which was invented first – the hot air balloon or the airplane? “Flight of Fancy” will be on display from 3 June to 21 July.

In conjunction with the June holidays, kids will also enjoy 50% discount on Local Resident Child Tickets to the cooled conservatories from 1 to 28 June. Now daddies and mummies can take the opportunity for some parent-child bonding and fun learning during the school break!

A series of activities has also been planned in conjunction with Gardens by the Bay’s upcoming 1st anniversary – pack your picnic mats and spend quality time with your family and friends at the “Gardens Party One” on 29 June; watch the Supertrees transform before your eyes in “Mystical Supertrees” from 30 June to 7 July; enjoy free activities for kids such as the “GB Kids’ Blast” and “Blow Wind Blow”; and more!

Visitors to Gardens by the Bay are in for a treat this 29 April to 20 May as the flower field within the Flower Dome cooled conservatory transforms into the largest tulip display in Singapore. The celebration of tulips at the Gardens will see an impressive 40,000 tulip bulbs flown in from the Netherlands to Singapore, courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the official sponsor for Tulipmania.

Tulipmania will be a three-week event organised by the Gardens to bring people closer to the wonders of nature. A highlight of the event will be the captivating floral display which will feature some 20,000 tulip bulbs in a myriad of colours including red, pink, yellow, white and purple, along with other beautiful spring blooms such as lilies, hyacinths, daffodils and muscari. Complementing the floral display will be five miniature windmills and giant wooden clogs placed inside and outside the Flower Dome.

In conjunction with Tulipmania, a host of activities has also been planned for the young and old - discover interesting facts about tulips with the fun-filled Tulipmania Acivity Sheet; delight someone with a handmade tulip clip; enjoy cultural activities like Dutch cheese tasting and music; create a tulip postcard and mail it to an old friend; or celebrate Mother's Day with a bouquet of fresh-cut tulips. There are also special promotions including a 15% discount on admission into the cooled conservatories during Mother's Day weekend (10-12 May), and a chance to win a pair of tickets to Keukenhof, Holland, in 2014.

"Tulipmania takes visitors on a botanical journey into the world of tulips, right here in the tropics. Not only are we creating the largest tulip display in Singapore, we are doing so by engaging the community," said Dr Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Gardens by the Bay.

More than 100 volunteers, comprising individuals as well as representatives from Temasek Junior College, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Netherlands Charity Associatation, will be lending a hand with the tulip planting. Tulipmania is also made possible with support from a number of partners including Fairprice Xtra, Toll Logistics, Dutch Link, Hollandse Club, Hollandse School, and MA Art Therapy students from LASELLE College of the Arts.

Today, more than 9,000 members of the Girl Guides Singapore (GGS) and their families celebrated World Thinking Day and participated in two new Garden Trails that were jointly developed by GGS and Gardens by the Bay as part of the new “GB Ambassadors” programme.

“GB Ambassadors” is a new school engagement and outreach programme of Gardens by the Bay, with GGS as its inaugural partner. To commemorate the launch of the programme as well as the partnership between GGS and the Gardens, a tree was planted by Mrs Mary Tan, Patron of GGS, at the Gardens’ Fragile Forest.

As part of the programme, Girl Guides and Brownies will have the opportunity to be involved in different projects at the Gardens, from guiding, to facilitating programmes, to assisting in the Gardens’ operations. For a start, 50 Girl Guides from Bedok South Secondary School, Cedar Girls’ Secondary School, Changkat Changi Secondary School, Jurong Secondary School and Yishun Town Secondary School have been trained as Garden Guides to facilitate the two new Garden Trails. The trails – “Nature and Me” for primary school students and “Experiencing Nature” for secondary school students – consist of a series of fun and educational activities that encourage children and youth to explore the Gardens and discover its diversity of flora and fauna.

Moving forward, GGS and Gardens by the Bay will continue to collaborate on various projects, including expanding the series of Garden Trails for use by schools and the public, and looking into the content development for a new “GB Proficiency Badge” for Girl Guides and Brownies.

The partnership is part of GGS’ and the Gardens’ efforts to engage the young and to encourage them to play a active role in Singapore’s natural heritage. It is also in line with the Ministry of Education’s 21st Century Competencies, which seek to develop students to become independent learners, concerned citizens, active contributors and confident individuals.

Mrs Chua Yen Ching, Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Singapore: “The theme for World Thinking Day 2013 is “Forging Family Ties” and this celebration is unique in that the girls are celebrating it with their family members in this beautiful Gardens.  The Garden Trails help strengthen the bond between the parents and girls.  Quality relationship is essential in building strong foundation of the family unit and I am sure this will be a memorable event for everyone.”

Mrs Joy Balakrishnan, President of Girl Guides Singapore: “This is an important and strategic partnership with Gardens by the Bay - for the girls to have access to the Gardens for learning beyond school and for GGS to share our expertise in developing the materials for learning. In GGS, we remain committed to the mission to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.”

Dr Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Gardens by the Bay, said, “Children have a way of seeing things differently and the new Garden Trails will give young people a whole new perspective of looking at the Gardens. Our GB Ambassadors programme is an opportunity for the Gardens to engage the young and to nurture among them a love for nature and biodiversity, while developing leadership skills and a sense of responsibility towards the community. We are delighted to have GGS as our inaugural partner in this programme.”

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand, accompanied by Singapore’s Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan, officiated a planting ceremony this morning to commemorate her donation of lychee tree saplings to the Gardens by the Bay.

Her Royal Highness donated the saplings following her inaugural visit to the Gardens last July. A special variety of Litchi chinensis, the gift signifies the warm relationship between Thailand and Singapore. It will add to the diverse plant collection of the Gardens and can be viewed at the Chinese Garden. Though known to typically flourish under cooler tropical conditions, the saplings managed to flower in time for the ceremony today.

Gardens by the Bay unveiled the impressive sculpture, Planet, by internationally acclaimed artist Marc Quinn in a ceremony this evening. Donated for permanent display at the Gardens by Mr and Mrs Putra Masagung, the sculpture explores the intimate relationship between nature and humanity, and serves as a natural extension of the Gardens’ efforts to connect people with the stories of plants and the planet.

Located at The Meadow, Planet is one of Marc Quinn’s most important works. The sculpture, which is a depiction of the artist’s infant son, appears to float above the ground and is a technical tour-de-force. It has been shown internationally to great acclaim in the Beyond Limitsexhibition of contemporary sculpture at Chatsworth House in 2008, and in the exhibition The Littoral Zone at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco in 2012.

“To me, Planet is a paradox – hugely heavy, yet the bronze appears weightless; overwhelmingly  big, yet also an image of vulnerability. It is both a reflection of ourselves and the earth upon which we live,” said Quinn.

Planet forms the newest addition to the over 40 artworks nestled among the horticultural splendour of Gardens by the Bay. It is also set to become a prominent landmark to the Gardens’ new city gateway, which connects the Gardens to the Bayfront MRT Station and provides greater access to the Marina Bay downtown.

The donation of Planet as well as an additional sponsorship of S$2m for the development and landscaping of the area where the sculpture is displayed are made possible by the generous contribution of Mr and Mrs Masagung.

Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said, “Gardens by the Bay is home to a diverse collection of sculptures that complements the beauty of our plants and adds a new dimension to the landscape. Planet marks the latest step in our efforts to continuously enhance our Gardens’ offerings for the enjoyment of all. It is also our hope that the sculptures in the Gardens will engage and inspire visitors towards an appreciation of art and culture.”

Celebrate Spring at Gardens by the Bay with a variety of festivities starting from end-January and through the month of February!

To usher in the Year of the Snake, the entire Gardens will be decked out in elements of Lunar New Year, with some 11,888 festive blooms, 3-metre-long snake topiaries made up of kumquat (citrus) plants, and an extensive display of giant lanterns spanning about half a kilometre from the Visitor Centre to the Flower Dome.

Within the Flower Dome, visitors can look forward to yet another stunning transformation of the flower field. The “Spring Celebrations” floral display will feature some 8,000 colourful blooms including peonies, camellias, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, orchids, dahlias, azaleas, and more than 8 varieties of kumquat plants such as the Giant Golden Citrus and Buddha’s Hand Citrus. Making their appearance too in the floral display will be a selection of penjing (bonsai) up to 200 years old, as well as oriental pavilions nestled amidst the festive flora.

Complementing the horticultural showcase will be a series of exciting programmes including multi-disciplinary performances like Chinese opera, music and dance infused with martial arts; craft activities like creating Lunar New Year origami ornaments and paper lanterns; guided tours highlighting auspicious plants; and an exhibition on the origins and customs of the Lunar New Year.

For a prosperous start to the Lunar New Year, limited edition of the Gardens by the Bay hongbao (red packets) will be given away to visitors who spend a minimum of S$28 in a single receipt at our ticketing counters or retail shops (while stocks last!). What’s more, just for the 15 days of the Lunar New Year, local residents pay only 88% for tickets to the conservatories!