SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS LIMITED 
By Singapore, 17 August 2011 - Celebrate this Mid-Autumn Festival with a host of activities at the Mid Autumn Festival by The River (?????????) from 29 August to 12 September 2011 at River Promenade (beside Central).
Into its fourth year, the festival is jointly organised by SPH's three Chinese newspapers, namely Lianhe Zaobao, Lianhe Wanbao and Shin Min Daily News, together with Graphic Point International Pte Ltd. It is co-organised by Central, Kampong Glam CCC and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations. (see Appendix A)
The festival aims to promote better understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, heritage and traditions by injecting a touch of modern spirit. It also promotes family togetherness through the programmes and activities. The event attracted over 800,000 visitors last year.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be the Guest of Honour at the festival opening on 29 August.
The spectacular display of giant lanterns, which is a yearly highlight of Mid-Autumn Festival By The River, will return to dazzle visitors this year. Created by master craftsmen from Sichuan, China, there will be eight unique lantern displays incorporating the theme of Chinese legends. The lanterns are made into giant floats on the Singapore River while some are installed on the river bridges. There will also be lanterns crafted in the shape of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs displayed along River Promenade. Visitors can read about their fortune on these zodiac lanterns.
The organisers have also lined up a series of activities over the 15-day festival. These highlights include:
Stage Performances
Nightly performances by the Chongqing Cultural Troupe from China will entertain the audiences at the performance stage by the river. There will also be cultural performances by the National Arts Council and other local performing groups.
Time: 7.00pm to 9.30pm (Mon ? Fri) and 6.30pm to 9.30pm (Sat ? Sun)
Talent Search ???????? ? ??????
Organised by Lianhe Zaobao and Hua Yuan General Association of New Immigrants from China, the Talent Search will see a myriad of talents from all over Singapore vying for attractive prizes sponsored by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Singapore Branch). The Grand Finals will be held on the last night of the Festival on 12 September.
Time: 8.00pm to 9.00pm (Mon ? Fri) and 7.30pm to 8.30pm (Sat ? Sun)
Photography Competition
Lantern Riddles
What is Mid-Autumn Festival without the Lantern Riddles? Visitors who make the correct guess will win attractive prizes.
Time: 8.00pm to 10.00pm (Mon ? Sun)
Chinese Tui-Na Massage Service
Enjoy a 10-minute Head & Shoulder Massage for just $10 by masseurs from Wan Yang Foot Reflexology Centre.
Time: 5.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thu) and 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
OTO Fitness Challenge
Challenge yourself on the OTO exercise equipment and stand to win attractive prizes. The Challenge is organised by OTO Bodycare.
Time: 5.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thu) and 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
Chinese Chess Competition
This is no ordinary chess game. Contestants will pit their skills against each other on a giant vertical Chinese chessboard. The competition is organised by Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre.
Time: 8.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thu) and 8.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
Asian Food Street
The Asian Food Street, organised by Lianhe Zaobao and supported by Pines Food Catering Pte Ltd, will feature Asian delicacies from around the region. Visitors will be spoilt for choice from a selection of 17 food stalls.
Time: 5.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thu) and 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
Merchandise Stalls
An array of knick-knacks and handicrafts from Singapore, Taiwan and China is available.
Time: 5.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thu) and 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
In-Mall Exhibition
Apart from activities by the river, there is also an in-mall exhibition at Central featuring exquisite wooden sculptures by Lotus On Water Fengshui Gallery. Other exhibitors include a Chinese Language Education Booth and Eduplus Language Centre, which offers interactive games.
Site tours
With the support of the People?s Association, special guided tours are organised for new immigrants and Permanent Residents during the 15-day festival to help them learn more about the history and culture of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Admission to the Mid-Autumn Festival By The River 2011 is free. Opening Hours: 5.00pm to 11.00pm (Mon ? Thur) / 5.00pm to 12.00am (Fri ? Sun)
Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Co. Regn. No. 198402868E
Mr Francis Mah
Manager
Corporate Communications
Singapore Press Holdings Limited
Tel: 6319 1028
Ms Karen Foo
Asst Manager
Cultural Industry Promotion
Chinese Newspapers Division
Tel: 6319 6199
About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Incorporated in 1984, main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is Southeast Asia?s leading media organisation, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms.
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In Singapore, SPH publishes 18 newspaper titles in four languages. Every day, 3 million individuals or 77 per cent of people above 15 years old, read one of SPH's news publications. SPH also publishes and produces more than 100 magazine titles in Singapore and the region, covering a broad range of interests from lifestyle to information technology. SPH's subsidiaries, Straits Times Press and Focus Publishing, produce quality books and periodicals in English and Chinese.
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Beyond print, the Internet editions of SPH newspapers enjoy over 263 million page views with 18 million unique visitors every month. Apart from SPH AsiaOne portal, SPH's online and new media initiatives include an online marketplace for products, services and employment, ST701; Stomp, omy.sg, and The Straits Times RazorTV.
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SPH has a 20 per cent stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which operates free-to-air channels 5, 8 and U, and a 40 per cent stake in MediaCorp Press Limited, which publishes the free newspaper, Today. In the radio business, SPH has an 80 per cent stake in SPH UnionWorks Pte Ltd, which operates entertainment stations Radio 100.3 in Chinese and 91.3FM in English.
Events and Outdoor Advertising
SPH?s events subsidiary Sphere Exhibits organises innovative consumer and trade events and exhibitions. In addition, SPH has ventured into out-of-home (OOH) advertising through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore?s leading Digital Out-of-Home advertising company.
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SPH owns and manages Paragon, the prime retail and office complex in the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping belt. Its latest retail development, The Clementi Mall, started business operations in 2011. SPH's wholly-owned subsidiary, Times Development Pte Ltd, has also developed a 43-storey upmarket residential condominium, Sky@eleven, at Thomson Road.
