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SINGAPORE – Despite the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the Orchard Road Christmas lights remain a bright spot in Singapore.
It went ahead as planned, with retail experts saying it would give the shopping belt a boost.
But some, like Ms Esther Ho, director of the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Business Management, noted that, unlike previous financial crises, “the economic impact of the pandemic is more widespread and prolonged.”
“Covid-19 has hit the tourism, hospitality, retail, and food and beverage sectors particularly hard,” he said.
Also, since companies are not sure of an immediate change, they are less likely to spend on their facades and decorations in stores, “he added.
He also noted that some decorative elements such as banners and flags seem to be missing from this year’s lighting.
Still, Amos Tan, a senior lecturer at the Singapore Polytechnic School of Business, said that since the end of the 2008 global financial crisis, subtle Christmas lights have become the norm and it’s harder to gauge how you’re doing. the economy based on light alone.
In the 1990s, the Orchard Road light was a “very good indicator of Singapore’s economy,” he added.
Still, there is reason to cheer during this festive period, as Orchard Road is beaming with a wintery display of snowflakes, mistletoe and holly, even though there is no street fair due to Covid-19 concerns.
Tan said more locals can be expected to flock to the lighting this year “to soak up the festive atmosphere.”
“In December, people tend to travel and shop abroad, but now that this is not possible, Orchard Road is the first place they have in mind during Christmas,” he added.
Ms. Ho agrees, saying that with safer management measures easing, “there is more reason to shop and dine on Orchard Road.”
Singapore, an annual tradition introduced in 1984, didn’t turn off the lights despite tough times.
1. Global financial crisis of 2008
Although the theme for the 2008 holiday lighting was A Sweet Christmas, not all buyers found the decorations tasteful.
A survey of 50 shoppers and tourists by The Straits Times found that 34 people thought the decorations were not as spectacular as they had been in previous years.
That year, colored lights flashed blue and green over traffic, while red hearts hung from streetlights decorated to look like candy canes.
2. 2001 dot.com recession
Although the dot-com bubble burst in the late 1990s, some say its impact was felt in Singapore only in 2001, when there was a technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.
However, there was a silver lining for those in the city.
About 80,000 silver cylinders hung high on Orchard Road, glowing by day and illuminated by flood lights at night.
Made of paper, the cylinders were the brainchild of French lighting master Louis Clair.
With the theme “Frozen Aurora”, the lighting was intended to replicate the colored lights that streak through the winter skies of the North Pole.
However, it was warmly received, and some found the plain illuminated. Still, others felt the lights “bring the Christmas experience.”
3. Asian financial crisis of 1998
Despite the recession caused by the Asian financial crisis, around 900,000 light bulbs lit up Singapore’s most famous commercial belt along the Tanglin and Orchard roads, and in the Scotts Road area.
It encouraged many, and Ms. Sheralyn Goh, a 20-year-old Temasek Polytechnic student at the time, reportedly said she was “surprised to see the lights on … and they made the place look better.
All the trees on Orchard Road were adorned with tinsel, while the decoration of a toy train ran over the junction of Scotts Road and Orchard Road.
4. 1985 recession
Singapore suffered its first post-independence recession in 1985, but the Christmas lights continued to shine.
It amazed people, so much so that the lighting lasted for 37 days instead of 20 days when it was introduced in 1984.
The comet, which announced the birth of Jesus Christ, dominated the decorations due to excitement over the imminent appearance of Halley’s Comet, which occurred in April 1986.
Shudesh Kumar, an 18-year-old security guard at the time, said the photographers camped outside a shopping mall where Paragon is now located. And they disconnected for the whole night, until 4 a.m. M.
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