His Majesty Sultan Brunei and Her Majesty Attend Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations 2016
Julius Hong and Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
THE Tiong Hwa community treated His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to a magic show and acrobatic performances during the Lunar New Year celebration at the International Convention Centre.
More than 1,000 people came together for the Lunar New Year celebration, the 10th year since His Majesty attended the first gathering that showcases Chinese culture and to promote cordial relations in the country.
Accompanying the monarch were Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and other royal family members.
The royal family was welcomed by Yang Berhormat Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, and chairman of the Lunar New Year celebration organising committee Lau Shiew Yuen at the ICC entrance, which was adorned with traditional red Chinese lanterns, flowers and artificial bamboo plants.
YB Pehin Dato Goh said the Tiong Hwa community was grateful to be living in a harmonious environment due to His Majesty’s leadership.
“This is the 10th year His Majesty and the royal family have been attending our Chinese New Year celebrations, and this reflects the unity of our people and country,” he added.
The Tiong Hwa community also presented a pesambah to His Majesty, a crystal that signifies continuous prosperity for Brunei.
The audience were enthralled with the performances including dances from Kuala Belait’s Chung Hua Middle School, a magic show by a Malaysian and an acrobatic troupe from China.
The Chung Hua Middle School students began the opening act with a dance performance using swords and fans as props.
The music then shifted from a graceful tune to the rhythmic beat of drums as the acrobatic troupe from China’s Jiangsu province juggled and passed large drums among one another with only their feet.
The performers also showed their skills in a multiple plate balancing act.
Organisers saved the best for the last when Malaysian magician Kevin Lee wowed with his magic tricks.
He managed to switch places with his assistant in an instant even after placing her in a locked box.
The Brunei Times
Comments