{Event Listing: The Best of You 2016: Connecting Singaporeans through their life stories}

The Best of You seeks to bring back a more unified spirit within our communities by offering a platform for people to reflect upon their experiences, challenge stereotypes and break down barriers between communities. This social movement culminates in a special Finale Exhibition. Back for its third consecutive year, the exhibition effectively highlights personal stories from all walks of life.

PEOPLE FIRST

“The Best of You provides a space to appreciate the people and experiences that have shaped the person that you are today. In doing so, we hope to shed light on the diversity of people and stories that make up our greater community,” said Mr Sai Tzy Horng, consultant and spokesperson for The Best of You.

Mr Sai elaborated, “We’ve received countless stories of gratitude, determination, newfound love and friendship. There were also stories of regret, redemption and loss. And these stories share a powerful theme – putting people first. These stories can persuade people to reconsider and overcome common and often cruel stereotypes of various marginalised communities. So let us appreciate people foremost for their, or rather, our shared humanity.”

After all, appreciation knows no boundaries. The Best of You reminds us that appreciation includes everyone.

THE BEST OF YOU 2016

Hosted by Divian Nair, the exhibition will feature written word, spoken word poetry and performances by a myriad of personalities, organisations and artists who have been inspired by the movement. Notable names include the likes of local musician.

Fathin Amira, sushi chef Kenjiro Hashida, host and actress Sharon Ismail, designer Kae Hana, jazz pianist Aya Sekine, host and children’s book author Rilla Melati Bahri, entrepreneur and actress Norfasarie, Bengali newspaper Banglar Kantha as well as non-profit organisation AIDHA.

Held at the Central Atrium of Marina Square from 1 – 7 November 2015, the free-to-enter public exhibition also showcases artworks by established and up-and-coming local and international artists, talents and personalities. As always, the spotlight will shine on the people and their heartfelt stories.

Featured submissions include:

● June, a proud and inspiring transgender woman who opened a shelter for Singapore’s transgender community;

● Ah Gong, a lively and spirited 96-year-old grandfather who challenges the stereotype of seniors;

● Helen and Serene, a story of the strong bond between a domestic helper and her Singaporean family;

● Patrick, a juvenile delinquent who turned his life around after an encounter with his school’s discipline mistress;

● Siti, co-founder of Buku Jalanan Chow Kit, an organisation that provides education to undocumented children;

● Dennis, a story of how his artistic passion shatters social stereotypes about special needs individuals;

● Phuong, a Vietnamese working in Malaysia who found familial love in a foreign country;

● Divian Nair, Ex-98.7FM Deejay, CEO of Storyteller Productions and Founder of We Are Majulah;

● Sharon Ismail, Suria and Channel 5 host and actress, senior lecturer at Ngee Ann Poly;

● Rilla Melati Bahri, Suria actress and host with over 20 years of experience and author of children’s books;

● Norfasarie, actress, entrepreneur and wife of footballer Baihakki Khaizan

● Fathin Amira Zubir, a veteran of singing competitions such as Asia’s Got Talent, The Final One and Singapore Idol;

● Kenjiro Hashida aka Chef Hatch, renowned sushi chef with more than 20 years experience in Japanese cuisine

This year will also see collaborations with various artists and organisations including:

● Aya Sekine, passionate and genre-defying musician and jazz pianist, adjunct lecturer at LASALLE College Of The Arts

● Ernest Goh, visual artist

● Charles Loh, founder of MOSSINGARDEN

● Have Halal, Will Travel, a multi-racial group of travel bloggers who seek out and highlight Muslim-friendly place around the world

● Joseph Chiang, printmaker and owner of Monster Gallery, a creative print studio

● Kae Hana, plus-size fashion designer

● Elizabeth Seah, cosplayer and owner of Haru House

● AIDHA, a non-profit organisation focused on providing financial literacy programmes for foreign domestic workers

● Banglar Kantha, Singapore-based Bengali newspaper that lends their voice to the foreign worker community

● Fictive Fingers, handprinted textile design studio

● Gunong Sayang Association, a cultural organisation promoting Peranakan cultural activities through music, drama and dance.

● Redeafination, a deaf dance crew which seeks to shed light on the deaf community in Singapore through the medium of dance

● Unseen: Constellations, a collaborative art project with seven students from Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School who live with visual-impairment and blindness

● Yellow Ribbon Project, a programme which supports ex-offenders in their reintegration back into society

● PLove, a social enterprise seeking to empower youths with special needs through artisanal craft

Special programme highlights to further engage the public with The Best of You movement include complimentary silkscreening workshops with Joseph Chiang, printmaker and founder of Monster Gallery; leather crafting workshops with special needs youth artisans from PLove; and face mask painting workshops with Bella, face painting artist.

There are also sharing sessions by Sharon Ismail , Norfasarie and family, aspiring performers from Unseen: Constellations, migrant worker-cum-poets from Banglar Kantha, Kae Hana as well as Gunong Sayang Association.

Exhibition Details

Date: 1 – 7 November 2016 Time: 11am – 9pm,
 daily

Admission: Free entry


Venue: Marina Square, Central Atrium, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594

Website: http://www.the-best-of-you.com/