Nationwide Celebration of Chinese New Year 2007 in Melaka

February 23rd, 2007

The coming Saturday evening will not be a usual evening for Melaka. It will be graced with nationwide celebration of Chinese New Year (CNY), with expectation for 100,000 visitors including foreigners. This event, known as Majlis Rumah Terbuka Malaysia (Malaysia Open House), will be held on 24th Feb 2007, and activities will begin from 7.30PM onwards, at Jalan Hang Tuah.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will grace the open house. This will be the first time for Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin attending such event as a Ruler. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will also attend.

On the past few days, some of the politicians have commented about this event on the absence of allocation for Chinese traditional arts and essences, such as lion dance performance. However, AmazingMelaka.com can firmly confirm that, a series of performances reflecting Chinese cultures will be presented during this great open house.

Yesterday’s (22nd Feb) evening, our team has attended the full rehearsal of CNY open house, to witness and preview the scheduled activities. The following pictures tell how the open house will be carried out, according to the rehearsal.

Activities and Performances

A troop of 50 lions will present lion dance performance along the Jalan Hang Tuah main road to signify the launching of CNY open house. This performance is expected to begin around 8.45PM.

A team from Phor Tiong Beo Melaka temple will also wave a heavy-weight giant flag.

If the drum beats from lion dance performance don’t appeal to be heart-pumping enough, what about the 24-Season Drums?

Wushu is an essential Chinese martial art which has history dated back to thousands of years. The Jing Wu Athletic Association Melaka will present Wushu to wow your visual pleasure.

In order to reflect the harmonious multiracial society in Malaysia, group performance from hundreds of participants in various costumes (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Baba Nyonya, Portuguese, Sabah and Sarawak indigenous ethic groups, and etc.) will also be featured along with singing of Chinese New Year songs.

Never an absence in Melaka official event is the showcase of uniquely decorated trishaws, which play an important role in Melaka tourism.

Besides, a dazzling fireworks show will end the annual gathering.

Seats will be provided along the road side for early birds. Of course, the seats are limited; but there is spacious area for visitors to stand and enjoy the performances.

A number of displays are available along the Hang Tuah Mall, so that visitors far away from the center stage will also be able to witness the activities and performances. If you would like to secure the best view, better be there earlier.

15 Parking Fields

The organizing committee has arranged 15 parking fields to provide 4,500 parking slots, including Graha Maju parking field, Yayasan Melaka parking field, taxi station, former Melaka bus station, Jalan Tun Mutahir and etc.

Traffic Impact

Besides Jalan Hang Tuah, neighboring areas namely Jalan Graha, Jalan Tan Chay Yan in front of Pay Fong High School, Jalan Kubu, Jalan Tun Mutahir, Jalan Pelandok Putih in front of Plaza Jayamuda, will all be closed from traffic.

Troop of 1000 Lions

Melaka is especially happening during Chinese New Year. Besides this open house event initiated by government, the Old Melaka is also decorated with thick Chinese New Year atmosphere.

On 4th March, the 15th day of Chinese New Year, there will be a grand lion dance performance in the evening at Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), formed in a troop of 1000 units! 300 big lions and 700 small lions.

Related Previous Posts

• 17th Chinese New Year Decoration Carnival in Melaka
• Chinese New Year Decoration 2008 at Jonker Walk
• Welcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2007
• Christmas Decoration 2007 at Portuguese Settlement
• Free Parking in Melaka during First 2 Days of CNY

Entry Filed under: Festival, Latest News

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