NDP 2025 packs to come in 7 designs, feature works by artists with disabilities

SINGAPORE – The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) packs will come in seven designs, featuring works of art by 41 artists with disabilities.

Through these artworks, the artists aged 10 to 73 aim to express their hopes for Singapore, and what the Republic’s journey and future mean to them.

Multiculturalism, Resilience, Openness and Boldness are the themes of four of the NDP pack designs. These themes were created by 21 artists aged 20 to 73 at ART:DIS, a non-profit organisation aimed at creating opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts.

The other 20 artists are special education school students between 10 and 18 years old, who portrayed the themes of Care, Contribute and Future in their art, the parade organisers announced on June 9 as they gave the media a first look at the design of the packs.

As for the contents of the NDP pack, Major Desmond Lim, chairman of the NDP 2025 pack committee, said it will contain several staple food items to keep the audience refreshed and energised throughout the show.

The public can also expect several interactive items, such as clappers, in their packs.

Maj Lim said show attendees will find out what is inside the packs when they receive them. “We will keep the suspense there.”

The works of art will be printed on the packs, which are recycled polyester tote bags. They will also be incorporated in a National Day 2025 stamp set produced by national postal service Singapore Post.

The NDP pack will be distributed to those attending National Education shows, NDP preview shows and the National Day Parade on Aug 9.

For the first time, the live show on Aug 9 will be extended from the Padang to Marina Bay, as part of an “expanded canvas” to mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence.

Those who have registered to visit five heartland celebration sites and various Bay Celebration sites, or participate in pledge events, will also be eligible to collect the NDP packs on-site.

A pledge event is a new initiative to support Singaporeans in organising their own community celebrations from July, with the Government’s help. 

Of the seven themed artworks, Multiculturalism, for instance, celebrates local cultures, highlighting the nation’s diversity through iconic symbols such as the traditional Malay food staple ketupat, and capteh, a traditional game where players keep a feathered shuttlecock in the air by kicking it with their feet.

Another theme, Future, gives Singaporeans a glimpse of a nation shaped by innovation and care. The artwork features elements of artificial intelligence and technology to celebrate the Republic’s spirit of progress and the embrace of new inventions.

Meanwhile, Resilience honours the strength and unity of Singaporeans, such as front-line workers during challenging times, and the artwork for Care is set among Housing Board blocks and green spaces to show people from all walks of life coming together.

HDB blocks were also featured in another design, under the theme of Contribute.

Rihansh Manoj Chugani, who has cerebral palsy, proudly held up the pack as he pointed to the HDB block he drew.

Speaking to the media, the 12-year-old said: “I drew HDB blocks because they are Singapore’s pride. I also coloured them green to represent nature. Next time, I hope to see (more) solar panels on HDB blocks, so that we can save electricity together.”

Meanwhile, Madam Tay Bee Lian, 73, illustrated the Mandarin phrase for “How are you?” as part of the Openness artwork.

Madam Tay, whose polio diagnosis causes muscle weakness in her limbs, said: “I wrote 您好吗? (How are you?) using calligraphy because it is what we say every time we greet each other.”

After two hours of practice writing the phrase and more than 10 attempts, Madam Tay said she was excited to see it come to life on the NDP pack.

“Every year, I see how nice the NDP packs are, so I am very honoured that I am a part of creating it this year,” she added.

MAJ Lim said the hope is that the collaboration with the artists will honour their abilities, recognise their talents and bring their vision for the country to fellow Singaporeans.

“Drawing on the artists’ unique strengths and shared experiences, they have co-created seven pieces of unique artworks for this year’s NDP pack, inspired by their reflections on Singapore’s heritage, shared experiences, and their imagination of Singapore’s shared future,” he added.

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