COMMUNITY IN SINGAPORE CELEBRATES SINGAPORE 2010 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES THROUGH CAN! ARTS

9 January 2010 – The community in Singapore had an early treat in 2010 as they took part in arts and cultural activities during Singapore 2010 CAN! Arts (Create Action Now!) and experienced the exciting programmes that athletes at the first Youth Olympic Games will take part in August this year.

Arts and Culture is one of the seven formats of Singapore 2010's Culture and Education (CEP) Programme. During the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010), athletes will be able to enjoy a feast of visual and performing arts, including daily performances and evening festivals at the Youth Olympic Village. They will also get to try their hand at traditional Singaporean arts and crafts like calligraphy, batik painting and rangoli.

The Central Singapore District residents and guest-of-honour Mr Sam Tan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts had a preview of these activities in Ang Mo Kio estate during CAN! Arts, which was organised in conjunction with the Central Singapore Community Development Council's (CS CDC) popular and well-known arts-based community outreach programme, the Community Life Arts Programme (CLAP!). A myriad of activities – hands-on arts activities, electrifying dance acts and stimulating music performances organised and performed by budding young talents – brought arts to the doorsteps of the community, and let the residents experience the excitement of Singapore 2010.

"Besides achieving excellence in the sporting arena, young athletes at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games will also be able to enjoy an inspiring and memorable arts and culture experience through the different cultural activities. Many members of our community will be showcasing their talents in music, dance and the arts to our international visitors. This event and the arts and cultural activities at the YOG will demonstrate the vibrant arts and culture scene in Singapore.” said Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).

Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore District, said, "The partnership between Central Singapore CDC and Singapore 2010 will help us realise both the continued engagement of our youths through the arts CLAP! platform and at the same time help to excite and inspire our community to support and celebrate this historic sporting event in Singapore."

CAN! Arts, which will take place from January to March 2010, will conclude the year-long Singapore 2010 CAN! Festivals, a series of themed quarterly festivals organised by youth and community organisations for the community, in celebration of Singapore 2010. Previous CAN! festivals themes include Culture and Heritage, Digital Media, and the Environment. To date, SYOGOC's youth and community partners have organised more than 115 initiatives, with over 60,000 participants, in celebration of Singapore 2010.