| Singapore National Day : August 9, 1988 Agreement to Participate : 5 January 1988 Commissioner - General : Mr Lim Chin Beng Pavilion : 727 square metres |
 |
| Singapore National Day : August 9, 1988 Agreement to Participate : 5 January 1988 Commissioner - General : Mr Lim Chin Beng Pavilion : 727 square metres |
|
| A
striking large-scale model sculpture of the Singapore
Merlion greeted guests to the Singapore Pavilion at World Expo '88 -
the 'half-lion' 'half-fish' being the traditional symbol of the
city-island-state. 'Singapore' is sanskrit for "Lion City", symbolizing
strength, and according to legend, the Prince of Palembang, arriving on
the island in the 13th century, saw what he believed to be a lion
emerging from the sea - hence the now popular and well-recognized
Merlion legend took shape. One can also see sculpture of the same in
it's pride of place in Singapore Fullerton Place, near the mouth of the
Singapore River. A recreation of a Singapore market-street, replete with the sounds and sights of market-place, was the backdrop to the Merlion, and took guests through to the interior of the Pavilion, where a collage of photographic wall-transparencies introduced one to an audio-visual theatrette presented by Singapore Airlines, Singapore Telecom and the Port of Singapore Authority. Towards the end of the Pavilion one could find the Pavilion shop, where, amongst other things, Singaporean crafts and arts, jewellery, stamps, as well as the famous 'Tiger Balm' liniment were available for purchase. The Pavilion exit featured the popular terraced-'Tiger Garden' Cafeteria - offering traditional Singapore snacks and light meals.   |