PETALING JAYA: A centuries-old culture took centre stage last night at the 26th Baba-Nyonya International Convention held at Holiday Villa Subang Jaya in Selangor.
The three-day, two-night celebration of Peranakan heritage kicked off with a gala night – a glamorous evening of song and dance.
Visitors to the event were decked out in festive attire and enjoyed the entertainment that included traditional love ballads, dondang sayang, joget, keroncong and pantun.
A mock Peranakan-themed wedding was also part of the programme.
In his keynote address at the event, Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy director-general (culture and arts) Mesran Mohd Yusop praised the uniqueness of the Baba and Nyonya culture and lifestyle.
“Elements of Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Western lifestyles make the Babas and Nyonyas what they are today,” he said, adding that the community was part of the unique Malaysian melting pot of culture.
“In its own way, the local Baba and Nyonya community truly reflects 1Malaysia ideals.”
Themed “Beyond Borders, Across Oceans”, the event was the first of its kind to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
KL-Selangor Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association president Dr Lee Su Kim said it took a year to organise the event.
“We are all volunteers, not professionals, and we have all worked our guts out for this cause that we believe in,” she said.
“Ours is a golden heritage worthy of preserving.”
Source: The Star Online