Dated: 2 June 2005
The name "Marco Polo" evokes images of the intrepid Venetian explorer. Now, children from Singapore and China (a country that the famed traveller wrote extensively about) will be able to embark upon their own journeys of discovery to and from both countries in a MediaCorp Channel 8 programme, "Marco Polo Kids" (二童闯天下).
As the hosts and explorers, eight children, four from Singapore and two each from Beijing and Shanghai, aged between eight to twelve years old, will engage in a series of cross-cultural missions and adventures that will highlight the diverse cultures in the two countries.
For example, in the first episode, two Singaporean children will learn the art of opera singing at the historical Lao She Teahouse in Beijing. They will also get to experience and appreciate the tea-drinking culture and story behind the Teahouse.
In turn, two of their peers from China will visit Singapore to learn the art of making a delicious cup of "teh tarik", and also try their hand at playing the traditional Indian musical instruments veena and the sitar from their Indian counterparts.
Other exciting journeys of cultural discovery that the children from both countries will go on include scaling the majestic Great Wall of China in Beijing, learning belly dancing in Singapore, trying the art of painted faces in Shanghai and experiencing the rich Peranakan culture in Singapore.
How will these children adapt in a foreign land? Will they help and encourage each other to cope with home-sickness? Will they be able to accomplish what they set out to do?
Watch how the young ones cope on “Marco Polo Kids”, the ultimate travelogue for children by children, when the adventure begins this Sunday, 5 June, on MediaCorp Channel 8 from 9.00am to 9.30am.
The 12-episode series is commissioned by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and produced by One Take Production Pte Ltd.
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