London - `Sekapur Sireh`, a Malay zapin number had never been this good to the ears.
And it was even more so as the slow-beat song reverberates ascendingly at the Potters Fields Park right in the heart of London.
The crowd, mostly Caucasian and other nationalities, whom might have been hearing this song for the first time were serenaded immensely by the harmonious melody along with the graceful moves of the Malaysian dancers decked in colourful costumes.
The song was about welcoming visitors into ones home with a fix of betel nut and `sireh` leaf as a gesture of respect in the rich Malay tradition of yesteryears.
The welcome dance took centre stage at the opening of Malaysia Week here Wednesday in another effort by the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage to showcase everything about Malaysia to the eyes of potential visitors.
The third annual programme from July 30 until Aug 3 was aimed at introducing and promoting Malaysia as a popular tourist destination of culture, arts, craft, tourism, fashion, food and fruit delights.
It was officially launched by Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal. Also present were the mayor of Southwark Councillor Eliza Man and Deputy Mayor of London Ian Clement.
"When the idea of Malaysia Week was first conceived, there was never a doubt as to where the first one would be held. The choice was always London because the United Kingdom and Malaysia have had a long historical ties and in many ways it had a major role in the creation of Malaysia`s cosmopolitan society and its multi-faceted culture," he said addressing a large crowd attending the launch.
Mohd Shafie said Malaysia week was a showcase of the best of Malaysian culture and a whole range of activities would be staged to provide a cultural extravaganza of music, songs and dances both traditional and modern.
"We would not be here if last years event had not been successful," he said, and indeed Malaysia Week in London since its inception had been a resounding success. The first in 2006 at Covent Garden recorded 55,000 visitors and last year at the same venue saw a marked increase to almost 70,000 visitors.
This year, the location was moved to Potters Fields which is surrounded by two of London`s most prominent landmarks, the Tower Bridge and City Hall of London which offered the right ambience to the carnival atmosphere of Malaysia Week.
Visitors were able to see and appreciate Malaysian handicrafts which were also available for purchase such as silver, pewter, ceramics, crystals, woodcrafts, peach and batik loom and embroidered textiles and also traditional hunting weapons such as the `Orang Asli` blow-pipe everyday from 10am to 10pm.
Fresh fruits were also available and besides cultural performances and fashion shows, visitors to the park were also shown demonstrations of craft and textile making and exhibition and were also enticed to join in the "dance with us" sessions.
An added attraction to Malaysia Week this year were exhibitions on art works of well known Malaysian artists and demonstrations of water-colour paintings by the artists including one outstanding piece of work by S.Amin Sahab, the "One Kilometre World", an art work of ink drawing depicting scenes from the artist`s journey through many countries.
The National Art Gallery was organising another exhibition in conjunction with the Malaysia Week, at La Galleria Pall Mall showcasing a pot-pourri of drawings, paintings and sculptures from the national art collection until Aug 10.
The artist himself was on hand to add London to his odyssey and his drawing.
According to Mohd Shafie, this would also be the first step to setting up of a permanent gallery for Malaysia Art works in London.
The Malaysia Week festivities also extended to the Odeon Theatre at Covent Garden where a Malaysian Film Festival was held, screening a collection of six movies namely 1957 Hati Malaya, Sepi, Congkak, Duyung, Apa Kata Hati, and Evolusi KL Drift.
The minister said out of a total of 20,951,277 tourists who visited Malaysia last year, 276,213 were from the United Kingdom and he hoped Malaysia Week would entice more residents of UK and those who stepped into London to visit Malaysia.
To the visitors of Malaysia Week London, Mohd Shafie had this to say: "We have joined hands to stage this cultural extravaganza with open arms and open hearts and we hope that as you leave the grounds of Malaysia Week, you will take with you a piece of Malaysia that will be a gentle but constant reminder to come and visit us at home".
Source: http://www.bernama.com (31 Juli 2008)