SIFA returns with ground-breaking acts by artists from Singapore and beyond
Our local arts scene is thriving, and the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) is here for it. The annual festival, now in its 42nd year, returns from 16 May to 2 June 2019. It showcases some of the best emerging Singapore artists and their works, putting them on an equal distinguished level as various renowned artists from around the world. Three new works from Singapore artists are commissioned specially for SIFA 2019, to debut at the festival. This year’s program also extends beyond the traditional forms of music, theatre and dance, to include more multidisciplinary acts, as well as ground-breaking acts that blend art and technology. One quick scan of the full program tells us immediately that it is packed with exciting performances set to broaden and stimulate our minds! So don’t wait long to get your tickets for your favourites – one show was sold out within the same night that tickets were launched!
Out of the 17 different shows in the program (there are also plenty of talks with the featured artists), we’ve picked seven that we are excited to catch and think you should not miss.
1. Displaced Persons’ Welcome Dinner
We can’t ignore the increasing number of displaced people worldwide and the continually escalating tensions over it. How can the world come together to respond to the global refugee and migrant crisis? Singapore’s own Checkpoint Theatre presents a thought-provoking new play centred on an international group of humanitarian workers in a refugee camp. Amid the escalating political tensions, their integrity and spirit that drove them to do humanitarian aid work get tested. It sheds light on relief efforts and the inner workings of the foreign aid industry, which may be darker than we’re often led to believe.
Catch the show from 24 to 26 May at Victoria Theatre. Tickets start from $40, with limited student front row tickets at $10.
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