Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon to all of you.

I am pleased to be here at the awards ceremony for the third “Heartstrings Of Singapore” Photography Competition co-organised by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations.

A competition like this allows us to enjoy many different perspectives and interpretations of Singapore and our local Chinese culture. I was happy to learn that we received more than 700 entries from both Chinese and non-Chinese participants. To see our local culture through their eyes truly reflects our harmonious multi-cultural society.

This year’s Special Series focuses on the “Quietness and Liveliness of Singapore’s Buildings”. We have seen the highest number of submissions for this Special Series, as compared to the past two editions. The buildings in our vibrant city embody special cultural meanings and have become a huge part of our lives.

On behalf of the organisers, I would like to thank our participants for taking time to tell us what culture means to them through their photos. I also extend my congratulations to all winners.

Allow me to say a few words in Chinese.

感谢贸工部兼文化、社区及青年部政务部长刘燕玲女士及在座贵宾出席今天的颁奖典礼。

新加坡华族文化中心非常高兴能与新加坡宗乡会馆联合总会携手举办第三届《心系新加坡》摄影比赛。

一张照片来自于某个时间和地点捕捉到的画面。参赛者通过镜头分享他们对日常事物的独特见解，是非常有意思，也非常有意义的。

今年比赛的特选系列为新加坡楼宇的动与静，也是三届以来收获最多提交作品的一次，可见促成我国人文风情的高楼大厦已成为我们日常的一部分，也富有深层的文化涵义。

《心系新加坡》摄影比赛的作品展在中心七楼的多功能礼堂供公众免费参观，明天是展览的最后一天，希望大家可以呼吁身边的朋友争取时间来参观。

让我再次代表主办单位恭喜得奖者，也感谢所有参赛者的用心，让我们透过不同视角感受文化的独特风貌。

谢谢大家。