From the arts to nasi lemak, S'poreans overseas gear up for Jubilee weekend

Since this year is a very significant year with SG50, we wish to instil a sense of belonging in our daughters.

- Entrepreneur Jack Yu, who has been living in Hong Kong for the past 20 years

Singaporeans are taking the National Day party beyond the city-state's borders, with budgets for overseas celebratory events doubled, and special acts flown all the way from home.

Composer, songwriter and playwright Dick Lee - the man behind Singapore's most loved National Day tune, Home, as well as this year's theme song Our Singapore - will make an appearance at a Beijing dinner to mark the Jubilee year.

Down Under, more than 1,500 Singaporeans from all over Australia are expected to gather in Brisbane, for what is likely to be the largest overseas bash, complete with local dishes such as mee goreng and nasi lemak, and pasar malam (night market) games.

"Over in New York, a group of Singapore artists have decided to toast the nation's 50 years of independence by sharing its art and culture in an 11-day festival.

Called Something to Write Home About, the inaugural arts event will showcase works from more than 40 Singaporean US-based artists across various genres.

Some residing in cities closer to home are making trips back to spend the long weekend in Singapore to experience the festivities first hand.

Some of the estimated 12,000 Singaporeans in Hong Kong will be back in the Republic this weekend, said Mr Stanley Tee, who heads the Singaporean Association HK, the organisers of a lunch event on Aug 9, starring Singaporean singer Serene Koong.

Entrepreneur Jack Yu, who has been living in Hong Kong for the past 20 of his 41 years, is one of them.

"Since this year is a very significant year with SG50, we wish to instil a sense of belonging in our daughters," said Mr Yu of his decision to return with his wife and their two girls, aged five and seven.

Also jetting home is Ms Khoo Li Lin, a 30-year-old working in finance in Hong Kong.

"This year in particular, is a year of remembering how far we have come in just 50 years and working abroad has made me appreciate this so much more," said Ms Khoo.

"More than any other August 9, for SG50, I am excited to be heading home to be amongst family and friends," she added.

London-based lawyer Lim U-Glen, 27, may not have the luxury of returning, but he and his wife will be hosting a late breakfast party with some friends so that they can watch a live stream of the NDP and the fireworks from their apartment.

"There is this little twinge that one is missing out by not being in Singapore for the 'big one'," he said.

"I think SG50 is a fantastic reason for friends to get together and celebrate a remarkable milestone in Singapore's history," he added.