A Night of MAYHEM in SinGApura

“The category is dance or die.” In support of her eighth studio album, MAYHEM, the American singer Lady Gaga scheduled a series of promotional concerts. Headlining the Coachella Festival, the Rolling Stone praised her as a “once-in-a generation pop icon”. Following 2 shows of Viva la MAYHEM in Mexico, she staged a free “Todo Mundo no Rio” on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, drawing over 2.5 million attendees as the largest crowd for a female artist in history.

Similar to Mexico and Brazil, the Asian exclusive spectacle in Singapore is Lady Gaga’s first show since the Born This Way Ball tour in 2012, before she kicks off the MAYHEM Ball. Mistress of MAYHEM symbolises her inner darkness, where she escaped until she learnt how to harness chaos in her heart. Becoming a conductor of her own symphony, she can build the walls to cradle her own space and find a way to live with Mistress of MAYHEM as dueling twins.

However chaotic the world is, we can always find peace. Even though the mirror is broken, Lady Gaga managed to create something unique with broken pieces. As one of the smallest countries in the world, Singapore finds her own peaceful way to grow as a stable and strong city-state.

Singapore is a multi-racial state, with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian as the four majority ethnic. Segregation under the British colony hindered mutual trust. To promote harmony, race equality was enshrined in the constitution. Ethnic Integration Policy specified the proportion of flats that could be owned by the various ethnic groups. While the mother tongues were retained as second languages, English was introduced as the language of administration and instruction.

Sri Veerakaliamman Temple in Little India, built in 1855 for the dedication of Kali, the goddess and destroyer of evil. Sultan Mosque in Kampong Gelam, built in 1824 as a symbol of the local Malay. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, referred to as Niu Che Shui, built in 2007 to bring good luck for the Buddhist. Not to mention the colorful shophouses in Joo Chiat Road of Katong, showcasing the co-existence of Peranakan inhabitants since the 15th century.

“This is not a Malay nation, this is not a Chinese nation, this is not an Indian nation. Everybody will have his place, equal: language, culture, religion.” — Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew

After the COVID-19, Singapore has overtaken Hong Kong as the top financial center in Asia, and the third in the world, just behind New York and London. However, Singapore was not built in a day since its independence in 1965. Accounting for 20% to 25% of the national GDP, the manufacturing industry plays a substantial and interconnecting role in its supply chain and economic development, supporting the growth of logistics, transportation, and service sectors.

Sustaining the traditional industry amid the international financial center is such a success, why not an oasis in a metropolitan city? Home to over 4,200 animals, Singapore Zoo welcomes nature lovers to step into the world of the wild, via their “open concept” of free-ranging animals. As night falls, meet over 900 nocturnal creatures via walking trails or tram, from free-roaming Malayan tapirs to our majestic lions. Endless discovery awaits with the sun and sands in Sentosa.

Half lion represents the creature spotted by Srivijayan prince from Palembang; while half fish represents the small village Singapura used to be. A total of six hybrid Merlion statues were approved, with the most popular one located at Marina Bay, witnessing changes of Singapore.