Group+Write+Up

SCROLL DOWN AND SEE BELOW THE LINE. The overarching theme for our first-day cover is to celebrate our cultural roots in our multi-racial and multi-religious nation. The idea of "Preserving Our Culture, Remembering Our Roots" ties in strongly with the theme as it serves to promote a greater appreciation for our traditions. As such, in our first day cover,four artefacts were specifically chosen to represent the four different races that form the ethnic makeup of our society - namely the Indians, Chinese, Malays and Eurasians. As for the other two artifacts, we chose one that represents the traditional Peranakan culture and another that showcased the Malay film industry. The artifacts that were chosen show a diversity of items, from clothing and fashion to food as the elements of culture comprise of not just the rituals but what the eople eat,wear and follow. Unable to find such a wide spectrum of cultures in many other countries, the artefacts captured in each stamp are representative of ways of life which have gradually grown to tie all races together as a nation.] -->repeated below

From food to fashion to film to fabric, the exuberance and effervescence of Singapore culture has been a manifestation of racial roots from which the nation's culture has sprouted from. As Singapore becomes increasingly pseudo-western, it is paramount to remember cultural heritages which make Singapore unique from other countries.Our first-day cover celebrates the diversity of our cultural origins and the national cultural unity created today. Today, one cannot help but notice even a Chinese lady donning a sarong kebaya. This has truly been the vibrant yet unified sirit which lingers in hearts across races which our diverse multiracial roots have created for us.

The reason why we used the Chinese opera costumes as a stamp is that it is representative of the Chinese culture which makes up one aspect of our country's multiracial culture. The costumes reflect Chinese traditions and beliefs predominant in Singapore. Chinese believe that red, which is the colour of one of the costumes, represents prosperity, joy and energy, .Similarly, gold emits wealth and abundance, demonstrating greatly cultural roots deeply embedded in the Singaporean, who treasure these cultural beliefs and practice them.

Complementing this, the photograph of the intricately hand-sewn patchwork made of golden thread and cloth further emphasizes the meticulous nature that typifies the Chinese.This patchwork represents a chrysanthemum which signifies one of the Four Gentlemen in Chinese culture and depicts the rich and exotic Chinese culture in a very exquisite piece of embroidery.Similarily,gold is the main colour used in this embroidery as gold is an auspicious colour to the Chinese,symbolising prosperity and royalty.It shoes the delicate structure of Chinese cultural roots which are an inegral part of Singapore's evolving multi-faceted society. One of the stamps depicts the luscious and beautifully-emboidered Peranakan costumes. Originating from the time when a Chinese man married a local Malay wife, it served to fuse both cultures into a unique blend only found in our region. Its culture lives on today through food and practices and continues to bind the local community together, as exemplified by the donning of the Sarong Kebaya on occasions such as Racial Harmony Day.

Furthermore, the photograph of the ketupat (Malay Rice Dumpling), batik cloth and Malay film poster were all chosen to represent the natives' roles in building up our society. The film poster shows that Malay culture was predominant in Singapore in the past, and not purely restricted to international film. Today, in Singapore culture, many colloquialisms employed are Malay phrases. Watching Malay film, one would naturally learn some Malay phrases. Who knew that casual slang was actually derived from watching films of the past?

this is kind of the edited and shortened version of the above. i don't know how to conclude! D: please edit it btw.

Singapore’s culture is composed of the diverse racial roots the nation possesses. From food to fashion to film, the exuberance and effervescence of Singapore’s culture has been a manifestation of racial roots from which the nation's culture has sprouted from.Our first-day cover celebrates the diversity of our cultural origins and the national identity created today. The incorporation of the Chinese opera costumes and golden embroidery into our first-day cover was because they are representative of the Chinese culture, one aspect of our country's racial makeup. The costumes reflect Chinese traditions and beliefs predominant in Singapore, with luscious red and gold colours symbolising prosperity, joy, wealth and abundance. Complementing this, the photograph of the intricately hand-sewn patchwork which depicts the rich and exotic Chinese culture in a very exquisite piece of embroidery made of golden thread and cloth further emphasizes the meticulous nature that typifies the Chinese, showcasing how they have carefully laid the foundations of our nation brick by brick.

Another stamp depicts the richly-decorated and beautifully-embroidered Peranakan and Indian costumes. With its Malay-Chinese origins, the Peranakan culture stems from the fusion of both Malay and Chinese cultures into a unique blend only found in our region. Its culture lives on today through food and practices, and continues to bind the local community together, as exemplified by the donning of the Sarong Kebaya on occasions such as Racial Harmony Day. The Indian culture, on the other hand, had already been widespread and well-developed in its native India before reaching our island nation. This has led to the assimilation of its rich ethnicity into the melting pot of cultures in Singapore.

Finally, stamps of the Ketupat (Malay Rice Dumpling), batik cloth and Malay film poster were all chosen to represent the importance of the native Malays' roles in building up our society. Through the distinctive food, fashion and films of the Malay culture, they bring life and entertainment to our nation and serve as the framework for the Singaporean culture, on which all other races contribute their own share to the developing of.

As Singapore becomes increasingly pseudo-western, it is paramount to remember cultural heritages which make Singapore unique from other countries. We also hope to instil Singaporeans with a greater awareness of their traditional origins while simultaneously allowing them to celebrate their nation’s independence all together.

Ok NO MORE CHANGES KAREN IS PRINTING!