AR digital mural to headline DBKU’s Chap Goh Mei Fest
KUCHING: The launch of an augmented reality (AR) digital mural will kick off Kuching North City Commission ( DBKU)’s Chap Goh Mei celebration this year.
According to DBKU commission member Dato Wee Hong Seng, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate at the ceremony, set to take place in front of the Old Courthouse here at 8pm tomorrow.
After that, the chief minister and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang will witness the grand opening ceremony of Chap Goh Mei 2019 Festival at the nearby India Street Pedestrian Mall.
This year, the festival is themed ‘A Celebration of Prosperity in Diversity’.
“This is the fourth edition of our Chap Goh Mei (festival). We hope that the celebration would continue for many, many years to come,” said Wee, who is the festival organising chairman, during a press conference yesterday.
He said for this year’s festival, DBKU is engaging the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching,
This is the fourth edition of our Chap Goh Mei (festival). We hope that the celebration would continue for many, many years to come. Dato Wee Hong Seng, DBKU commission member
Samarahan and Serian Divisions, Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India Street Merchant Association, Association of Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions, The Waterfront Hotel, Indian-Muslim Business Welfare Federation and Plaza Merdeka Management Sdn Bhd, as its event partners.
There will also be other activities throughout the night such as the lion and dragon dance performances, a traditional 24season drum showcase, a Chinese traditional orchestra, multicultural performances by primary school- children, firecrackers and fireworks shows, the Mandarin orange- throwing ritual, ethnic group performances and a display of lanterns.
On the trademark Chap Goh Mei’s ritual of throwing oranges into the river, Wee said in line with DBKU’s ‘Green Initiative’, this activity would be conducted at an indoor pond.
“This is to ensure river cleanliness,” he added.
The ritual of throwing oranges into the river during Chap Goh Mei symbolises the hope for good luck, blessings and also for finding one’s true love.
The festival, apart from marking the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations, is also dubbed the ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day’.
The Waterfront Hotel general manager Mason Tang, Association of Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions deputy president Rodger Chan, Plaza Merdeka Management general manager Cheah Kheng Mun and Federation of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahn and Serian Divisions representative Goh Nei Neng were also present at the press conference yesterday.