Singapore becomes the FIRST ASIAN CITY to host prestigious world-renown Viral Secret Pop-Up Picnic

July 24, 2012 - PRLog -- White Magic

Imagine this - as if on cue, the sun peaks through the early evening mist as a cloud of people, some 1,000 strong, descend on one of Singapore’s most recognizable landmarks. Just minutes before they had no idea of where they were going and now they form a vast sea of white.

White-swathed tables appear in orderly rows, white balloons drift lazily skyward as gleeful attendees, dressed head to toe in the color du jour, unwrap their summer’s eve repast. The backdrop of the secret location add the only splash of color to the monochromatic celebration known as Dîner en Blanc or The White Dinner.

And several hours later, when it is time to leave, they fold their tables and chairs, pack their crystal and dinnerware, gather all their debris and head into the night, leaving no sign of their elegant revelry.

How does it work?

At the last minute, the location is given to thousands of friends and acquaintances who have been patiently waiting to learn the “Dîner en Blanc's” secret place. Thousand of people, dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space.
 
Over the course of the evening, the diners enhance the function and value of their city's public space by participating in the unexpected.

Beyond the spectacle and refined elegance of the dinner itself, guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds by a love of beauty and good taste. Le Dîner en Blanc recalls the elegance and glamour of court society, and diners engage one another knowing they are taking part in a truly magical event.

There are no disruptions: no car traffic, no pedestrian traffic, except for the occasional amazed and astonished looks from passers-by at the scene unfolding before them. And we, as they, wonder whether it's all not a dream.

The Birth of White

Launched with just a handful of friends by François Pasquier some 24 years ago in Paris, Dîner en Blanc now assembles nearly 15,000 people each year around the globe.

The swank supper first sprang to life in 1988 in Paris, when after a few years abroad, François Pasquier held a dinner party to reconnect with friends. To deal with a mounting guest list, he asked attendees to convene at the Bois de Boulogne dressed in white so they could all find each other. What started with simple word-of-mouth—friends inviting friends—today has as many as 15,000 white-clad guests meeting annually in the public spaces of major cities worldwide.

The French capital's most prestigious sites have previously played host to it: the Pont des Arts, the Eiffel Tower site, the Louvre Pyramid, the Trocadéro Esplanade, Place Vendôme, the Château de Versailles, the Esplanade de Notre-Dame, the Esplanade des Invalides, the periphery of the Place de l'Étoile, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and last year: The Carousel du Louvre. The Paris police tend to tolerate this ‘wild' gathering, if not perhaps even wishing they could join in!

A White Singapore Dream

You can imagine the excitement all abuzz when Dîner en Blanc hits the Lion City on 30 August 2012! Already, over 6,000 Singaporeans and Singapore residents have put their names on the list, in hope of securing a place in this extraordinary landmark event. This dream was made possible by Singapore-born Chartered Marketer Clemen Chiang’s love for his country.

A well-heeled globe-trotter, Clemen firmly believes in Singapore as an economic powerhouse, a sophisticated society possessing a great city landscape and infrastructure. He then thought bringing Dîner en Blanc would be a spectacular way to showcase the city-state to the world. So instead of traveling the world to attend those held in other cities, why not bring Dîner en Blanc into Singapore!

But the allure of Dîner en Blanc transcends all culture, Singaporean or not. In cities across the world, people disregard who they are and their geographical location, and embrace the fundamental value of wanting to share a repast with friends and be a part of a wider community. “No matter your culture, this event brings people together,” says Aymeric Pasquier, son of François Pasquier. “Everyone who participates becomes part of a global community. The phenomenal viral response to Dîner en Blanc is proof of its universal appeal.”

Our Privileged Partners....no, Friends!

The World’s Strongest Bank (ranked by Bloomberg Markets) OCBC Bank has a share in creating history too! Traditionally, the hosts of Dîner en Blanc have kept the venue a “mystery” until the last minute, by offering guests the option of selecting Coach Bus Departure Points, Public Transport Departure Points or Pedestrian Departure Points. For the first time in Dîner en Blanc’s 24-year history, there will be 2 Departure Points named after a participating partner - OCBC Bank. This concept (exclusive to the Singapore installment of Dîner en Blanc) is made possible only because of the good folks at OCBC Bank!

World-renown champagne-maker Perrier-Jouët has also joined in the revelry to offer 2 complimentary historic flutes for every bottle purchased by diners online at a special price (so special, it cannot be revealed!). Diners can get to choose from a selection of 2 red wines and 2 white wines by Wyndham Estate and Graffigna (exclusively offered by Pernod Ricard - the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits).

It is definitely our honour to have two of the world’s greatest brands as “friends” of this spectacular inaugural party for Singapore - a once-in-a-lifetime experience where “friends” is the word of the evening, the essence of the celebration.

Because, as The New York Times said: “There are picnics, and then there are picnics.”

So now, are you ready for le pique-nique on 30 August?