2025 Festival Highlights
Events
29
Kumpo Meets Djembe Singapore Club
In rhythmic dialogue, Lila Drums joins the Berending Kumpo Association to weave sound into ceremony, movement into invocation.
The Art of Chant: Quranic Recitation
Where breath becomes prayer and the Quran lives not in ink but in sound—a journey of faith, emotion, and divine artistry.
Exchange: From Imperial Courts to Padi Fields – Reed-Pipes of Asia
Trace the histories and cultural roles of the khaen and the sheng—two free-reed instruments of the same family but from different geographies.
The Art of Chant: Chinese Buddhist Sutras
Listen as time dissolves into chant. Join in reflection through these Buddhist rituals of devotion, impermanence, and mindfulness.
Sacred Organ Works with Pieter van Dijk
From Baroque to the Romantic, join Pieter van Dijk as he travels back centuries to illuminate the organ’s sacred heart.
The Sacred Voices of Corsica
Hear the voices of Corsican paghjella’s polyphonic harmonies—ancient and luminous, sacred and untamed, soaring heavenwards.
Zafin: Dance and Devotion
Weave devotion into every step through the joyous footwork of zafin, whose radiant rhythms guide the faithful closer to God.
Peroveta – Prophet Songs
Be awashed in waves of powerful voices as a Papuan choir sings of prophets and apostles.
Talk: Masquerade Ceremonies of The Gambia
Walk within the rhythm of The Gambia’s masked guardian and uncover the rituals and reverence carried its dance.
Workshop: Music of Manipur
A focused journey into the sacred music traditions of Manipur highlighting the instruments and songs shaped by centuries of ritual artistry.
The Art of Chant: Shabad Chowki Parampara
Experience the meditative flow of shabad chowki parampara, where sacred song bridges Sikh heritage with modern kirtan expression.
Workshop: Introduction to Corsican Polyphonic Singing
With Spartimu, learn the art of shared resonance in Corsican polyphony while exploring its heritage and intricate vocal techniques.
About
Producer’s message
A Tapestry of Sacred Music is a unique festival presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, which brings you the rich colours and sounds of religious communities from within Singapore and around the world. Happening from 30 Apr – 3 May 2026, the 17th edition of the festival takes you from mosques to temples, village grounds to cathedrals, sharing cherished devotional artforms from communities of all kinds. Above all, the festival exists to share a deeper message.
The world today can be one that focuses on the divisive, especially as we get caught in the crossfire of earthly powers grappling for influence and dominion. This may happen not only through open armed conflict, but crafted messages and curated images that subversively encourage a view to dehumanise the other. None of this is new, but it has been amplified to an unprecedented degree by technology and our hyperconnectivity.
A Tapestry of Sacred Music seeks to remind us that there is far more that unites us as humans than divides us. As you move from space to space, you may encounter a song, a chant, or a refrain that moves you, or sets your skin tingling in awe. Even if you might not understand the words or share the same beliefs, the connection created through art is palpable at a human level—an affirmation that we as humans, all share the same emotions, hopes, anxieties and desires.
The variety of sacred performances presented this year represent diverse histories and geographies. Experience the ecstatic exaltation of Pakistani qawwali performed by Rizwan and Muazzam Ali Khan—inheritors of a 700-year-old musical lineage—as if in a Sufi shrine. Witness the ferenetic masquerade dances of Gambian Kumpo, believed to be a spiritual village guardian, garbed in a heavy coat of dried palm leaves. Imbibe in the atmosphere of Kurokawa Noh, performed in the depths of winter as a ritual for the gods of Kasuga shrine. Harken the soaring harmonies of Corsican brothers as they belt their hymns heavenwards. Be awashed by waves of powerful voice as a Papuan choir sings of prophets and apostles. Dance to the joyful bounce of Isaan ceremonial music for the dispelling of illnesses.
We wish you many discoveries and personal insights as you encounter different communities and their cultural treasures, and hope you will leave with a renewed spirit of kinship that unites us all.
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.
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 through the options below:
Sponsors
The Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation works to introduce a diverse variety of facets of Japanese culture, from art, music, drama, and film to fashion and design, to the world. By creating opportunities for people to share the joy of co-creation and better understand each other in ways that transcend language, it facilitates deeper cultural exchange between people.
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Foundation
JCCI Singapore Foundation was established in May 1990 as a charity channel of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore (JCCI Singapore) that represents the Japanese business community as a whole, to provide financial support towards the development of arts, culture, sports and education in Singapore.
Lotto Carpets Gallery
With over 20 years of experience in the handmade carpet industry, Lotto Carpets Gallery and its owner, Imran Abid Mir, have earned a distinguished reputation for expertise in 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 carpets.
vOilah! Festival – Embassy of France in Singapore
The vOilah! France Singapore Festival is the annual cultural, scientific and educational event celebrating the dynamic ties between France and Singapore. Organised by the Embassy of France in Singapore, the festival is a testament to the spirit of cooperation, co-creation, and collaboration between both countries. In partnership with leading cultural, academic and corporate partners, the festival showcases the best of French innovation, creativity, and savoir-faire, while fostering meaningful exchanges with Singapore.
From film, music, and performing arts to gastronomy, science, and education, vOilah! brings an exciting and diverse line-up of programmes that showcases artists, thought leaders, and communities from both countries. More than just a festival, it is a platform for meaningful conversations, fresh ideas and lasting partnerships—driven by a shared commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and cross-cultural dialogue.
Pakistan High Commission of Singapore
This year, Pakistan and Singapore proudly mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, a testament to longstanding partnership founded on mutual respect and cooperation. This presentation as part of A Tapestry of Sacred Music showcases Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage through qawwali, symbolising shared values and further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
Contact
The Esplanade Co Ltd
1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
+65 6828 8377