Friday, October 13, 2017
The well-known Loy Krathong and Songkran festivals observed by the Siamese community required preservation and reestablishment to improve the diversity of Malaysian arts and culture.
Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, the Tourism and Culture Minister explained that these cultural programs were being endorsed by his ministry as significant annual events to make sure that festivals continue to grow among the younger generation.
“The Siamese community in Malaysia numbered about 60,000 and they are bumiputera, as the minister in charge of culture, I feel it is necessary to preserve this culture to ensure the customs of this small community is not lost,” he informed the reporters after inaugurating the Kelantan state level Loy Krathong Festival at Wat Uttamaram, Kampung Teresek last night.
Besides emphasizing the uniqueness of the Siamese community’s culture, Mohamed Nazri mentioned that the plural society of the country should pay reverence to every racial customs in the country as it plays an important role in terms of national unity and harmony.
He expected that the Siamese festival would boost the visitor arrival of 31.8 million to the country with a calculated revenue of RM118 billion this year.
The main attraction of the Loy Krathong festival remains the floating of lotus on the river along with lighted candles on them while other attractions of the festival included lotus floral arrangement, wayang kulit show, Loy Krathong queen contest, and Siamese cultural performances.
On the 15th day of December, the annual festival is celebrated in accord to the Siamese lunar calendar.
Tags: songkran festivals
