KUCHING, Sept 18: An estimated 16,000 people flooded the 17th Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival 2018 to enjoy the food, music, dance and festive ambience when the annual event kicked off last night (Sept 17).
Due to the high number of visitors, traffic around Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street, where the festival was held, came to a crawl.
Apart from the more than 100 stalls selling items ranging from food and lanterns to accessories, there were also cultural performances such as a sape gig, Chinese orchestra as well as modern and Chinese cultural dance routines.
Former Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who did not want to miss the fun, hoped that the festival would continue to be held annually. He said although Carpenter Street was a predominantly Chinese area, it had been transformed into a colourful bazaar where people from all races come together and celebrate with glee and smiles instead of suspicion and distrust.
“As a former politician, I am always supportive and happy to see this type of event being organised. This event amplifies the nature of Sarawakians being more than just tolerant but also accepting and accommodating towards each other.
“When I was active in politics, these were the values that I tried to uphold for us in Sarawak. I am truly delighted that the organisers have got it right again,” Yong told reporters covering the event last night.
He added that as a Sarawakian, he was proud of the state because Sarawakians truly embraced each others’ culture.
“The unity is real and the friendship is forever. We have to continue to safeguard our rights and identity.
“With real political autonomy achieved by the formation of GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) and a more resolute attention on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963), I am confident that whichever political entity that rules Putrajaya will adhere to our needs because we are a united group of people,” said Yong.
The festival will run till Sept 24, from 6.30pm to 11pm daily, at the famous Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street. It is organised by the Federation of Kuching Division Community Associations and the Old Market Community Association. — DayakDaily
