The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA 2019) is breaking new ground for its 42nd year, as stellar artists from around the world and local luminaries present enchanting and diverse works across numerous performing art sectors.
Groundbreaking in Many Aspects
Commissioned by the National Arts Council and organised by Arts House Limited, SIFA 2019 takes place from 16 May to 2 June. This marks Festival Director Gaurav Kripalani’s 2nd SIFA.
Kripalani says: “When I started my three-year journey as SIFA’s Festival Director, my goal was to identify individual artists around the world who have been ground-breaking in their respective art forms, and persuade them to come to Singapore. To each one that I spoke to, I painted a picture of the Singapore we live in, and how rapidly our arts landscape was evolving. Artists who are ground-breaking in their fields have always inspired me. My hope is that they will also inspire both Singaporean artists, as well as audiences. As I am sure we will inspire them.”
A Plethora of Talent
SIFA 2019 heralds stars of performing arts to sunny Singapore, with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Simon McBurney (who was the voice of Harry Potter’s Kreacher), Sasha Waltz, Bill Frisell, Shiro Takatani and Tadashi Suzuki.
Legendary guitarist Frisell and acclaimed composer Sakamoto make their Singaporean debuts this year, along with esteemed choreographer Waltz. Joining them are four illustrious local artists, including Huzir Sulaiman, Claire Wong, Ho Tzu Nyen and Goh Boon Teck.
SIFA remains at the apex on Singapore’s arts and cultural calendar and continues its mission to advocate for the creative creation and presentation of both local and international works of art. As The Arts House transforms once again into the Festival House, various activities from talks, workshops, and discussions help corrode the walls between artists and audiences to forge unique and distinct experiences.
For two weeks only, enjoy performing arts as you’ve never experienced before at the Festival House at 1 Old Parliament Lane!
For a full list of the programmes available at SIFA 2019, check out their website at http://sifa.sg.