Co-host ::: Town Restaurant, The Fullerton Hotel

Featuring ::: Ayako Suwa (Japan) • Gene Gonzalez (Philippines) • Gino Gonzalez (Philippines) • Janice Wong (Singapore) • Chefs from The Fullerton Hotel • Tea Ceremonies

“Teaism is a cult founded on the beautiful among the sordid facts everyday existence. It inculcates purity and harmony, the mystery of mutual charity, the romanticism of the social order.... The Philosophy of Tea is not mere aestheticism in the ordinary acceptance of the term, for it expresses conjointly with ethics and religion our whole point of view about man and nature ... It represents the true spirit of Eastern democracy by making all its votaries aristocrats in taste ...."

- The Book of Tea by Okakura Kazuko

Cha, Chai, Teh or Tea – the world’s most popular beverage has always played a part in the most important Asian ceremonies.

Cultivated first by the Chinese, tea represents extreme cultural refinement, connecting the spiritual world through ritual that can be meditative and soothing – a state of mind where only the act of tea making exists and the greatest respect is paid to all the guests present.

At the opening of Asia on the Edge will mark the gathering of Asia’s leading and upcoming thought leaders, innovators, and artists through a tea ceremony that represents the uniqueness of this “encounter” - the meeting of such highly-regarded individuals - with elegant cuisine, tranquil ceremony.

As a fundraiser for the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, the Opening Charity Gala heralds the future of Asia: its resilience and tenacity, growing from strength to strength - the compassion of the present for the children of the future.

Creative Director ::: Goh Boon Teck (Singapore)
Creative Team ::: Jeffrey Tan (Singapore) | Choreographer • Anthony Tan (Singapore) | Production Designer • Dorothy Png (Singapore) | Lighting Designer • Winston Choo (Singapore) | Multimedia Artist

The world premiere of a specially commissioned work which draws inspiration from the rich traditions of Korean, Mongolian, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Japanese and Indonesian performing arts. Featuring over 50 artists, Origin is a soulful and spiritual visual and movement theater commemorating the birth of Asian's cultures and their origins.

Performed on an approximately 300m long stage (River Stage) on the historical Cavenagh Bridge, choreographed movements, enchanting music, creative projections and delightful props will be the highlights of Origin.

Programme Partner ::: Timbre

Featuring ::: Aresha (Singapore) • Lewis Pragasam & Asiabeat (Malaysia) • OMAH featuring Chanutr Techatana-nan (Thailand) • Kota Yamazaki (Japan)

Expect to see drum fireworks as the best modern drummers and percussionists from Singapore and around the region exchange and fuse into each other's styles at the Closing Party. Together with their own bands, these leading musicians will display an upbeat energy of Asian drums and excellent technical fusion; and featuring a mix of modern drum sounds, East West drum fusion, experimental performances fusing DJ, beat masters, dance and live drums and showcases by traditional Asian drums and percussion groups. It will be an excellent closing for the Festival to celebrate the dynamic and emerging Asia!