This year is a special year for racial harmony. For the first time, Singapore is celebrating the racial harmony month of July together, as a nation.

On Sunday, 6 July 2008 , the National Orange Ribbon Celebrations was launched by Guest of Honour, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

So, how did Singapore celebrate its first National Orange Ribbon Celebrations? By a mass walk street-parade style at Clark Quay, called Harmony Walk . An estimated 6,000 participants walked this scenic 2-km route along the river to the beat of the samba, the bhangra and the kompang!

There was more fun and experience after the walk. Participants and visitors watched and took part in ethnic games, tried on costumes and had a whole array of food.

For a token sum of only $0.50 per dish , people could get a decent-size (not bite size) dish of Turkish kebabs , nasi lemak , Eurasian sugee cakes, carrot cake, vade , Vietnamese spring roll, Thai mango salad and many more! People were able to talk to the volunteers manning the booths to find out more about these ethnic dishes.

There was also a one-hour stage performance featuring music, dance and interactive performances.

Cosmopolitan Singapore

The National Orange Ribbon Celebrations 2008 is a celebration of friendship and kinship across races and faiths. Harmony Walk saw the participation of our new citizens and expatriate communities.