By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Sept 9: In Sarawak, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only celebrated by the Chinese, but also by the Malay and Dayak communities.
Tonight, at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) park, over 500 adults and children from all walks of life had gathered for the Lantern of Unity walk.
At 7pm, the MBKS theatre was already bustling with people, especially children that were excited about the night’s event.
The crowd consisted of several groups of participants from various schools, associations and local communities.
Among them were students from SK Song Kheng Hai, SJK C Sg Apong, SJK Chung Hua No 5, as well as residents of Taman Riverview and KMC Flat.
All of them were carrying lanterns with a wide variety of designs; there were the traditional paper-made ones, and also the electronic kind with cartoon or animal shapes.
And of course, the children were dressed to the nines for the occasion, showcasing the many traditional costumes of different races and ethnicities.
Amid the hubbub of laughter and chit-chat, the event began swiftly at 7.30pm with the arrival of Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian accompanied by MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
The welcoming address and speeches by invited guests went by very quickly because the speakers knew the children could not wait a second longer.
Dr Sim and Wee led the stroll around the park. While the entourage was off enjoying the lantern walk, those on duty who stayed behind could also be seen enjoying the festivities, lighting up lanterns and taking group photos.
Jointly organised by Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Women Section and Southern Zone Women Section, the Lantern of Unity walk tonight was the second to be held after the first one on Sept 4 at Friendship Park. — Dayakdaily
