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SINGAPORE : The annual Christmas Light-Up on the streets of Singapore promises to be even bigger, brighter, and more spectacular than ever, with creative genius Dick Lee once again at the helm of its design.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) say this year抯 慍hristmas in the Tropics?will be one to remember, with Singapore抯 longest and brightest Light-Up, a Christmas Float Parade every night, and more entertainment, festive performances and shopping exclusives.

揝ingapore is the place to be this Christmas..[it] has become one of the most attractive holiday options for tourists in the region and beyond... More than 20 per cent of visitors who were in Singapore during the same period last year had specifically planned their trip to coincide with Singapore抯 year-end celebrations,?says Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure), STB.

Dr Chan says about 22 per cent of tourists are in fact, repeat visitors to the Christmas Light-Up, which is in its 23rd year and has become a signature highlight of the festive season in Singapore.

Creative Director of Christmas Light-Up 2006, Dick Lee, wants this year to be no exception for visitors and Singaporeans, 揟he first time they see the Christmas light-up, they will go 慦ow? That was one of the things I had in mind when I was designing it... that there must be strong 搘ow?factor. And that it is fresh and different.?p>When describing his inspiration for this year抯 light-up, Mr Lee recalls the euphoria felt at Christmas time when he was a child, 揅hristmas to me is a time of joy, childlike wonder ?I抦 reminded about my childhood, and how I believed in everything ?Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas ?and that抯 what I tried to convey in my design, to bring a feeling of that ?to transform the street into this Christmas magical fantasy wonderland.?p>There will be two themes this year ?慣he Enchanted Christmas Garden?down Tanglin, Scotts and Orchard roads, and 慍hristmas Bells?spanning Orchard, Bras Basah and Stamford roads as well as Temasek Boulevard, Raffles Boulevard and Raffles Avenue in the Marina Bay Area.

揗y setting is an enchanted forest somewhere ?where the trees are gold and jewels are embedded between the tree trunks... I抳e got gilded mechanical birds flying around ?that抯 in the Orchard area,?says Mr Lee.

揃ut for the Marina Bay area I use more traditional elements like poinsettias and bells ?bells being the main theme for the Marina area.?p>The Christmas Light-Up will total 6.4 km of glittering over-street lighting effects with 1,388 bejewelled birds, almost 100,000 replica diamonds and gems and 43,000 metres of electrical cables.

But what there won抰 be this year is snow or snow-like decorations, as Mr Lee feels it doesn抰 suit a tropical climate, 揂s always, I want to bring out the fantasy and magic of the season, this time making it more relative to our region.?p>Apart from sights and lights, shoppers will be treated to special Christmas deals and extended shopping hours during the festive season, with Orchard Road malls open late on Dec 15, 16, 22 & 23 and Marina Bay malls doing the same on nominated nights.

December is traditionally a month that sees a large numbers of visitors to Singapore ?last year, the city recorded 829,000 visitors, only slightly less than July抯 877,000 visitors the same year, and up 28,000 from the year before.

慍hristmas in the Tropics?will run from November 11th until January 2nd, 2007. - CNA/yy

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