Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome Hosts Its First Event in Celebration of The 20th World Orchid Conference - 20th World Orchid Conference Gala Dinner Honours Winners of Its Top 7 Awards
13 Nov 2011
The Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome opened its doors this evening to host its first event - the 20th World Orchid Conference (20WOC) gala dinner. Officiated by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, the event saw 750 local and international guests experience an enchanting evening of performances and dinner amidst a beautiful unique garden setting. During the event, seven winners of the 20WOC top awards received their trophies designed by eminent artist Larry Mayse, renowned for his glass creations inspired by nature.
At the event, Dr. Kiat W. Tan, Chairman of the 20th World Orchid Conference Organising Committee and CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said: "Gardens by the Bay represents the paradigm shift in Singapore as we develop from "Garden City" to "City in a Garden". Through the use of environmental-friendly technology and sustainable natural resource management, we will be introducing a more holistic and encompassing programme to enhance flora and greening in Singapore."
Organised by the National Parks Board and Orchid Society of Southeast Asia, 20th World Orchid Conference is the most significant event on the international floriculture calendar. A key highlight of this triennial prestigious event is the World Orchid Show, where orchid lovers from around the world showcase their finest and most spectacular orchids to compete for highly-coveted awards including the Grand Champion Display and Grand Champion Plant. The show is also Singapore's largest orchid show to date.
Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome
In celebration of the 20WOC, ticket holders will also get to preview the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome from 14 to 20 November 2011. The Flower Dome is one of two cooled conservatories in Bay South Garden. About 1.2ha in footprint, it replicates the cool-dry, springtime climate of the Mediterranean-type and semi-arid regions, enabling the display of habitats and plants from regions in South America, the United States, South Africa and Madagascar, Western Australia and the Mediterranean Basin. Designed with the environment in mind, it also incorporates cutting-edge technologies that provide energy-efficient solutions in cooling. The Flower Dome will also feature a specially curated display of 14,000 orchid plants consisting of about 150 hybrids and 30 species from around the world including Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and South America.
Enchanting performances
Guests at the gala dinner were treated to performances specially created for the event. They include: 'Romance of the Orchid', an original composition that creatively uses orchid names in its lyrics; 'Impressions', an artistic presentation by 6 artists aged 7 to 37 where each paint individually to an ensemble performance and finally put together their pieces to form a painting of the Renanthera 20th WOC Singapore 2011, the orchid specially named to commemorate the event; 'Scent of life', where performers present Singapore's multi-ethic background in an original dance capturing expressions of life's essential moments amidst the kaleidoscope of orchids in the Flower Field. The performance also features soloists playing the suona, bansuri, viola, drums, gamelan, complemented with a string and vocal ensemble, opera singers and a Chinese orchestra.
In an evening of firsts, guests were also treated to a fashion show by French luxury fashion house Leonard Paris, known globally for its orchid and floral motifs on its designs. The label's Spring-Summer 2012 collection made its Asian debut at the gala dinner, showcasing 45 colourful designer pieces that feature the Cattleya orchid. The showcase took place on a 35-metre runway that weaved through the dazzling array of orchids in the Flower Field.
For more information on the 20WOC and Gardens by the Bay, please visit www.20woc.com.sg and www.gardensbythebay.org.sg