Date: 14.11.09
Lantern (Mooncake) festival treat by ADUN Damansara Utama at SS2, Petaling Jaya
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Sat, 10th Oct 09 - A colourful dragon and lion dance completely enthralled the large crowd of more than 500 people who turned up at the lantern festival celebration which was held on Sunday October 4, 2009 at a field in Jalan SS2/34 in Petaling Jaya.
The event was organized by Damansara Utama state assemblyman (ADUN) YB Dr. Cheah Wing Yin for the purpose of strengthening ties among the residents in the constituency which covers SS2, Damansara Utama and part of Section 21, SEA Park.
The event also featured a karaoke session, caricature by local artists, demonstration of Chinese yo-yo and a short lantern procession along the streets (Jalan SS21/32, SS2/34 and SS2/37) surrounding the field.
There were also plenty of food and mooncakes to go around for everyone present.
Present at the event were host YB Dr Cheah Wing Yin, Petaling Jaya Utara MB YB Tony Pua and Kelana Jaya MP YB Gwo-Burne Loh. Also in attendance were Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) city councillor for SS2 Terence Tan Teck Seng and representatives of Residents Association (RA) from Section 21 SEA Park and SS2 and Damansara Utama. Members of the Damansara Utama Support Team (DUST) from ADUN Damansara Utama office were in full force to provide support and assistance.
The celebration was held to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival or Zhong Qui Jie in Mandarin which felled on October 3, 2009 and celebrated by the Chinese community on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month (October 3, 2009) to commemorate an uprising against a Mongol ruler that established the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD). It is said that the rebels slipped the plans and strategies for the revolt into mooncakes distributed during the festival.
In Malaysia, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the "Lantern Festival" or “Mooncake Festival”.
A dragon dance troupe from Yuen Leong Sing Fatt Kg. Cempaka giving a mesmerizing performance.
The dragon danced and twirled across the basketball court in the field with thunderous applause from the guests.
A lion dance troupe members entertaining the guests with their amazing feats - breaking a coconut and removing the shell without the aid of tools.
The dragon chased after the pearl bearer while the dancer under the lion's head attempted to break through the coconut's sturdy shell without the aid of tools.
The lion dancing to the roaring beats.
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The dragon and the lion in a playful manner.
A lion and dragon combo dance performance.
The host of the Lantern Festival YB Dr. Cheah Wing Yin in his welcome speech thanked the residents who turned up to support the event which was aimed to promote ties among the communities.
Petaling Jaya Utara MP YB Tony Pua in his speech said that community events like the Lantern Festival helped to foster closer relations among the various communities in this country.
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Kelana Jaya MP YB Gwo-Burne Loh said that he was happy to join the residents from all walks of life to celebrate the festival.
Sing-along: Damansara Utama state assemblyman YB Dr. Cheah Wing Yin (3rd from left), Kelana Jaya MP YB Gwo-Burne Loh (4th from left) and others singing together the song Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Sin (or "The moon represents my heart").
Petaling Jaya Utara MP YB Tony Pua (3rd from left) and Kelana Jaya MP YB Gwo-Burne Loh (2nd from left) together with others posing with the dragon and lion troupe members.
Residents enjoyed a nice buffet meal at the Lantern Festival event.
Creative clowning: A clown making balloons in the shape of lovable cuddly animals for children.
Children love balloons and clowns.
Jaime (right in purple t-shirt) and her children who stayed in Section 21 SEA Park said they enjoyed the evening eating the mooncakes, carrying the lanterns and playing fun with the clowns.
Committee member of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) Susan Chan joining in the fun with the clowns at the Lantern Festival. She said the event would surely help to promote a better understanding of Chinese tradition and culture for the younger generation to appreciate and preserve them.
Wow! That was amazing! A Chinese yo-yo (diobolo) spinning and juggling demonstration.
Guests were thrilled with the artists' work and were eager to get their caricature done for free.
Everyone's welcome to sing and shine during the karaoke session.
Everyone including the excited children carrying the lanterns gets ready for the procession.
This young boy carrying a colourful lantern in the shape of a bee for the first time wants to join the procession too.
YB Dr. Cheah Wing Yin (centre) and YB Gwo-Burne Loh (1st from left, in batik) together with residents, walked around the streets carrying lanterns.
The dragon dance troupe members leading the lantern procession at Jalan SS2/37 in Petaling Jaya.
For the Chinese, the dragon dance symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity for everyone.
The dragon dance troupe members performing at the junction of Jalan SS2/37 with Jalan SS2/34.
The dragon performance is accompanied by the beatings of a big drum, cymbals and gongs.
The banner inviting residents to the Lantern Festival.
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