‘Festival a chance for intercultural exchange’

KUCHING: The 17th Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival has been called an opportunity for intercultural exchange.

Hosted by the Federation of Kuching Division Community Associations and Old Market Community Association, the festival at Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street will run until Monday (Sept 24).

“With plenty for everyone to experience, we are looking at this festival as a platform not just to celebrate our multicultural identity in terms the obvious interchange of culture amongst the races, but also the interchange of cultures amongst the ages,” said organising chairman Sim Kiang Chiok on Wednesday.

“We are careful not to fall into a food festival. Towards that goal, we have included activities which include a battle of the bands, a colouring competition, a mooncake-making competition, lantern-making competition, photography competitions, and many more activities.”

He pointed out that since it began 17 years ago, the festival has grown from a one-night event to eight nights this year.

“We have made conscientious decisions all this while to make certain there is minimum one item at least, not just for every race to enjoy but every age as well as gender,” he added.

The Brunei and Indonesian consulates have also been invited to join this year’s festival and, as such, some businesses from the two countries are also participating.

Among those present at the festival on Wednesday were Mukah member of parliament Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib and Datuk Wee Hong Seng – a Kuching North City Commission commissioner.

Abang Johari (centre) poses with Haidel (fifth left), Tang (fourth left) and other IEM Sarawak delegation members during the courtesy call.

Hanifah (fifth left) and her family members are seen in a photo call with Wee (third right), Sim (second right) and other organising committee members.