KUANTAN: The Mooncake Festival was celebrated in grand fashion this year as Kuantan folks put out a show of Chinese tradition at its best.
The event, organised by the Kuantan Chinese associations with the cooperation of East Coast Mall, saw some 3,000 people from all walks of life attending the four-day event.
The highlight was a one km street parade with members of the public carrying lanterns, accompanied by dragon and lion dances as well as a showcase comprising a brass band, kompang troupe and Indian musical instruments.
Leading the parade were Teruntum assemblyman Chang Hong Seong, association chairman Datuk Chow Liong and organising chairman Datuk Pheng Chin Kiat.
Earlier, there were performances by Jeannie Dance Academy with several hip hop dances to the cheers of the crowd at the mall.
Other activities included a Chinese chess competition, calligraphy demonstration and exhibition, Chinese painting, lantern-making contest and quiz, colouring contest, children singing contest and other cultural performances.
Semambu assemblyman Datuk Pang Tsu Ming, who officiated the event said the event was important to ensure Chinese arts and tradition was understood by the young and passed on to the future generation.
Pang said people from other races could also be exposed to these traditions so that they would respect and appreciate the multi-racial people of the country.
“This is truly a celebration that reflects the 1Malaysia concept as propogated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“By understanding and observing the arts and tradition of others, it will help to foster closer rapport among all Malaysians,” he said.
Pang urged all parties including non-governmental organisations to initiate more community-related programmes to strengthen the unity among the people.
He said the country could only prosper and move forward to face global challenges if its citizens lived in peace and harmony.
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