BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei’s 29th National Day celebrations set the stage yesterday not only for a colourful cast of performers and marchers, but onlookers too, as visitors from the world over, including a Taiwanese pop starlet, made up part of the strong crowd that amassed to witness the spectacle, Borneo Bulletin reported.
Xiao Xun is a well-known singer and actress, who is part of popular Taiwanese girl band ‘Hey Girl.’
Speaking to the Sunday Bulletin yesterday, she described the celebrations as, “It’s so beautiful, it’s been really good!”
Xun is here in Brunei on holiday, and, having found out that the country was celebrating its National Day, decided to come down and see it.
When asked what her impression of Brunei has been so far, she said, “I like it so much!”
“I have come to love Brunei and I would like to come back again,” she added.
Meanwhile, three Norwegians, John, Roar and Tove were also at the celebrations. They arrived in Brunei six weeks ago to begin working for Arthur Solutions in the field of maintenance.
Speaking to the Bulletin, they said that they found Brunei to be a very nice country, and that the parade was the best part of yesterday’s celebrations.
The costumes and colourfulness of the proceedings were particular highlights for them, they said.
Laura and Bastion, two travellers from France, attended yesterday’s National Day celebrations while in transit in the country on their way to Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia.
Sharing their thoughts on Brunei based on their three-day stay, they told the Sunday Bulletin, “The people are friendly and it’s a very welcoming place.”
On the subject of yesterday’s celebrations, they underlined the colourful and eye-catching attire worn by those marching in the parade as being their highlight.
The Sunday Bulletin also spoke to Indian High Commissioner Lal Duhthalane Ralte yesterday, who shared his thoughts on the event.
“There were many more groups this year, the performances were nice and short, and the actors were very good,” he said.
Asked what he felt stood out most yesterday, he said, “I think I’d have to say the finale. What struck me was how you could make so many participate from young to old. That shows participation from everybody. Any organisation that gets everybody to participate and do the same thing is difficult. But it was very well planned, so I say well done.”
“Today shows that Brunei is a lucky country,” he added.