OPENING CEREMONY: Rais (third left) and others perform the ‘menepung tawar’ ceremony to open the Malaysia Week London 2012. — Bernama photo
LONDON: Destinations for Malaysia Week 2012, an event to showcase the vibrant culture and traditions of Malaysia, may spread its wings to the Middle East and China.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia Week 2012 which kicked off in London kicked off yesterday, an event to showcase the vibrant culture and traditions of Malaysia to Britons, especially tourists visiting London, would be expanded to other locations.
Rais said Malaysia Week, held in London for the fourth time, not only received tremendous support and response from Britons but tourists visiting London.
“We hope to hoist the Malaysia Week to another level but organising similar events in Europe, Middle East countries and China,” he said after opening the Malaysia Week London 2012, Saturday.
Rais said Malaysia Week was organised in London during 2006, 2007, 2008 and Washington, United States in 2010.
“After organising five Malaysia Week events, we have been able to identify what are the main factors that attracted the visitors, so we must continue such efforts,” he said.
The five-day Malaysia Week celebration held at South Bank, close to the Thames River, has become a major attraction among tourists in London.
Rais said the enchantment of Malaysia that can be experienced through a multi-ethnic and diverse culture, has become a major asset in promoting the country.
“Even Southwark Mayor Althea Smith had acknowledged that Malaysia’s enchantment and strength was the composition of different races, ethnic groups, religions, culture, food etc,” he said.
Meanwhile, Smith told reporters that the event was about diversity and the need for people to work together as one community because at the end of the day, no matter what part of the world we are, no matter where we live, we are one… we’re all united as a human race,” she said.
Famed Malaysian shoe designer Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo expressed hope that Malaysia Week would continue to be organised here since it allowed visitors to enjoy what Malaysia had to offer in terms of culture, food, fashion and other others attractions. — Bernama