Events
21
Chanting in the Language of Christ
Bask in the transcendent beauty of ancient liturgical songs, sung the way they are meant to—in Christ’s native tongue.
Food at the Foyer: A Langgar Experience
Dive into the experience of a gurdwara communal kitchen: savour hearty vegetarian dishes while exploring a rich tapestry of tradition, community, and culinary delights.
Sacred Organ Works: A Tribute to the Life
Be enveloped by the majestic sounds of the pipe organ in an afternoon of sacred tribute pieces featuring Thomas Ospital.
Psalms from a Monastery
Find respite in the sublime transition between the earthly and divine through ancient liturgical psalms in Aramaic.
Olokun's Drums: The Sea is the Way
Celebrate the colourful fusion of Afro-Brazilian rhythms, dance, and spirituality in maracatu, honouring resilience and cultural unity.
Festivities of the Nine Emperor Gods
Partake in vibrant southern Chinese temple traditions and heritage art forms through this re-creation of a major Taoist festival.
Buddhist Chants: The Diamond Sutra Liturgy
Contemplate the emptiness of worldly phenomena through chants and music in a stylised presentation of the Diamond Sutra.
Talk: Islamic Art – Turkish Flatweaves and Rugs
Imran Abid Mir introduces the vibrant world of Turkish flatweave rugs, sharing their cultural significance, rich motifs and diverse styles.
Talk: Introduction to Nine Emperor Gods Festival
Join Dr Koh Keng We and Dr Lin Chia-Tsun as they explore local histories and cultural practices surrounding the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
Pipe Organ Tour
Experience an exclusive backstage tour of Singapore's largest pipe organ—4,740 pipes, three storeys high, producing enchanting sounds from whispers to roars!
Workshop: Maracatu de Baque Virado
Develop your rhythmic skills and musical expression with unique percussion instruments while exploring the rich history of maracatu.
Malli-e-Rohi: Jasmine in the Desert
Malli-e-Rohi unites the empowering female voices in India’s mystic songscapes, connecting figures from Akka Mahadevi to Janabai and beyond.
Donate
Help us keep this festival free
Esplanade is a charity and not-for-profit organisation, and free programmes such as A Tapestry of Sacred Music are made possible by our funders and donors. The performances at this festival celebrate what we all experience as humans, bringing to the fore our commonality as opposed to differences. Organisations or individuals can help keep this festival free by making a contribution at donation boxes placed around Esplanade, or on www.giving.sg/esplanade
For sponsorship / donation enquiries:
Lim Ewe Leong
Head, Relationship Management
Leweleong@esplanade.com
Sponsors
Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of the Republic of Korea is a government agency responsible for promoting culture, arts, sports, and tourism. It strives to make cultural and artistic experiences accessible to people and support the growth of these sectors. The MCST also plays a key role in promoting Korean culture globally and fostering the development of the cultural industry.
National Gugak Center
The National Gugak Center is the representative national arts institution of the Republic of Korea that inherits Korean traditional performing arts. Established in Busan during the Korean War in 1951, the National Gugak Center continues the tradition of the royal music institutions of the Silla Dynasty’s Eumseongseo, the Goryeo Dynasty’s Daeakseo, and the Joseon Dynasty’s Jangakwon, preserving our traditional music and dance that have been passed down for thousands of years.
Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea actively promotes a deeper understanding of Korean culture through a wide range of cultural initiatives spanning performing arts, film, literature, traditional culture, sports, and tourism. These efforts focus on mutual exchange and collaboration, carried out in close partnership with local institutions and cultural organisations in Singapore. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, the Embassy is committed to further enriching the cultural bonds and exchanges between the two nations.
Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange
The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) is an institution designated by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to invigorate international cultural exchange. KOFICE aims to enhance mutual understanding across cultural boundaries while promoting Korea's cultural diversity and creativity.
Lotto Carpets Gallery
With over 150 years of experience in the woven carpet industry, Lotto Carpets Gallery and its Principal, Imran Abid Mir, have earned a distinguished reputation for expertise in both antique textiles and handmade carpet art. As a sixth-generation carpet merchant, Imran possesses a deep understanding of the cultural and historical significance of these masterpieces, curating an impressive collection of rare and exquisite works.
Konya Metropolitan Municipality
Konya Metropolitan Municipality is the custodian of Mevlevi Sufi traditions, preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of Jalaluddin Rumi. Its Turkish Tasavvuf Music and Sema Ensemble brings the mesmerizing Sema ceremony to global audiences, blending sacred music and whirling dervish performances to reflect centuries of devotion, unity, and transcendent spirituality.
Turkish Embassy in Singapore
Türkiye and Singapore have enjoyed diplomatic ties since 1969, built on over 150 years of historic connections. Our two countries are strategic partners since 2014. Our bilateral relations continue to grow in every field, including investment and trade, cultural exchanges, and academic collaboration. The Turkish Embassy remains committed to fostering deeper cooperation and people-to-people ties between our two countries.
Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 477 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 352 worldwide destinations, comprising 299 international and 53 domestics stops in 131 countries.
About
Producer’s message
Welcome once again to A Tapestry of Sacred Music, a unique three-day festival presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Now in its 16th edition, the festival highlights the artistry of sounds in houses of worship—gurdwaras, mosques, temples and cathedrals—giving our audiences here a glimpse into distant eras and rarified spaces.
Have you wondered what it would be like to hear the ancestral ritual sounds of the Korean royal courts? Or to witness the night ceremonies of a Turkish Sufi brotherhood? How would it feel to be immersed within the vibrancy of a Taoist festival procession? Or hear Byzantine prayers sung in the language that Jesus spoke? These are just some of the experiences that you will encounter at this year’s festival.
There is much to appreciate in this rich diversity of sounds. The nature of these sounds also expresses something deeply human because they were never intended for mere consumption. Rather, they are unfiltered supplications and calls directed towards higher powers. Rooted in the universality of the human experience—our needs, fears and joys—these sounds have the power to resonate within all of us, if we open our hearts to them.
In this fractious world that we live in, the coming-together of people from different faith communities to share their sacred songs and music is a precious one. As conflict and polarisation continue to divide people, the need to acknowledge and celebrate our common humanity is now greater than ever.
We hope that through the performances at A Tapestry of Sacred Music, you will find moments of comfort, connection and rejuvenation—experiences that help us to momentarily zoom out from worldly anxieties and remind us of our universal kinship.
Tan XiangHui
Senior Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd
About the festival
A Tapestry of Sacred Music was launched by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in 2009. The festival offers the rare opportunity for everyone to encounter the beauty of these varied cultural expressions practised by communities all over the world, in a secular setting. Over the years, we have presented more than 36 religious denominations, as well as the sacred art forms of 56 different communities, creating a rich tapestry of some of humanity’s most affecting and powerful musical expressions.
Since 2017, we have gone a step further and made this festival a completely free one for all to enjoy, so that there are no barriers to this aural and visual celebration. Esplanade is a charity and not-for-profit organisation, and this year, A Tapestry of Sacred Music is made possible with the generous support of High Commission of India, Singapore, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Foundation and The Silent Foundation. Help keep this festival free by making a contribution at donation boxes placed around Esplanade, or donate online through Giving.sg
Contact
The Esplanade Co Ltd
1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
+65 6828 8377