The Sun (Malaysia)

One with the force

> Legoland Malaysia recently hosted the biggest Imperial March as part of the month-long Lego Star Wars Days celebratio­n

- BY ANANSA JACOB

LAST Saturday, Legoland Malaysia played host to the biggest Imperial March in the region. The march was part of the month-long Lego Star Wars Days celebratio­n, in conjunctio­n with the 40th anniversar­y of this epic saga.

The event saw over 100 participan­ts in costumes from the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, representn­g the Dark Side and the Light Side of the Force, respective­ly.

The groups’ members came from Malaysia, Singapore and other Asia Pacific countries, showcasing the diverse fandom of the Star Wars franchise.

They were joined by a group of children who had come to the theme park in costume, and who appeared delighted to be walking alongside their heroes.

Despite a sudden shower soon after it started, the march largely went off without a hitch, and members of the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion were seen throughout the park later on, gamely posing for photograph­s with fans, and even going on several of the rides at the park.

One of the biggest draws for the event was the Lego Star Wars Miniland, which featured guided tours for visitors to listen to stories about some of the biggest battles and key moments from the Star Wars films or cartoon series.

Legoland Malaysia Resort operations director Casper Bonavent shared prior to the march, that the Lego Star Wars Miniland, which opened in 2014, was one of the park’s biggest attraction­s.

He said: “We are proud to be able to bring together so many fans of this extraordin­ary [franchise], and we hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the many Star Wars- themed activities that we have throughout Legoland Malaysia.”

Bonavent later joined Johor state tourism, domestic trade and consumeris­m executive councillor Datuk Tee Siew Kong in the unveiling of a special Lego mural dedicated to Princess Leia, who was played by the late Carrie Fisher.

Also present at the launch were Lego Group SEA marketing brand director Vera Ivanova, Tourism Malaysia Johor State Office deputy director Aaron Gan, as well as Legoland Malaysia Resort’s finance director C.S. Lim and human resources director Murni Masrom.

Guests to Legoland Malaysia will be able to enjoy a range of daily Star Wars activities as part of Lego Star Wars Days, which ends on May 31.

Among these are various building activities such as Star Wars World, R2-D2 Challenge, Speed Building, Star Wars model build, and even creating their own Star Wars set.

There will also be photo opportunit­ies with several iconic characters, including the menacing Lego Darth Vader.

Visitors will also be entertaine­d by Stormtroop­er dance performanc­es at various locations throughout the park.

The younger ones can also train to become Jedi at the Jedi Academy, under the tutelage of a Master Jedi.

They will also be given a Legoland Star Wars passport, which they can get stamped during the various activities, and be rewarded with a special commemorat­ive brick when they collect all the stamps.

For more, visit the Legoland Malaysia Resort website.

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 ??  ?? (left, from far left) Ivanova, Gan, Bonavent, Tee, Lim, and Murni at the launch of the Imperial March – (clockwise, from above left) with members of the 501st Legion; the Rebel Legion; and children in costume; as well as the attraction of the Lego Wars...
(left, from far left) Ivanova, Gan, Bonavent, Tee, Lim, and Murni at the launch of the Imperial March – (clockwise, from above left) with members of the 501st Legion; the Rebel Legion; and children in costume; as well as the attraction of the Lego Wars...

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