All of you reading this had better have your Jalur Gemilangs boldly displayed be it on your car, outside your home or on your tee because this is the day we show the world how proud we are to be Malaysian (and every other day of course!). So apart from the annual National Day Parade down at Dataran Merdeka, what are the other events out there that seek your royal attendance?
National Day Parade
The annual National Day parade which used to be held every year on August 31st has been postponed this year to September 16 because it coincided with the Hari Raya festivities. September 16 is actual day Malaysia welcomed Sabah and Sarawak into the constitution hence the term Malaysia Day. All is invited to head down to Dataran Merdeka today from 8am onwards to join in festivities. There’s nothing like being there in person!
Malaysiaku Street Festival 2011
Image from last year’s event
Get in touch with your cultural roots and of others as well today at Bangkung Row in Bangsar for a full day of food, exhibitions, talks, fundraisers, cultural performances and a street bazaar. It’s be a visual spectacle as well what with traditional performances and activities such as lion dance, wushu, acapella, the traditional nose flute performance, dikir barat, street dancing as well as appearances by A. Samad Said and Azmyl Yunor from That Effing Show.
This festival will also be a good place to hear and share thoughts as there will be talks and forums at the Opus, Cava and Leonardo’s Dining Room from 3-6pm today where topic from religion in politics, environment and the economy, art and sexuality of the rakyat will be featured. From 7pm onwards, there will be talks from various NGOs including Sisters in Islam, PUSAKA, IDEAS, and Pusat Rakyat. The Malaysiaku Street Festival will be held on the 16th of September from 3-11pm.
Venue: Bangkung Row, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Art For Grabs-Malaysia Day Edition
Visit the Annexe Gallery down at Central Market this weekend for the popular Art for Grabs bazaar where you get to pick up arts, crafts, accessories, books, knits and maybe someone special? Kidding! But with everything going for under RM100, it’s a steal we reckon! There’ll be over 50 booth operators namely Bernice Chauly, Michelle Fruit Jam, MyConstitution, Poodien, Jerome Kugan, Chi Too and many more, so you’ll definitely have a field day sifting through plenty of artistic goodies so remember to bring enough cash! That’s not all as there’ll be music performances by VE, Ruffedge, Innuendo, Azmyl Yunor and Shh…Diam!
There’ll also be book launches by Farish Noor and national laureate A.Samad Said, poetry readings and film screenings! It doesn’t get anymore Malaysian than this. Art for Grabs will be held from Sep 17 to 18, from 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm. For more information, visit
www.annexegallery.com.
Address: The Annexe Gallery, Central Market Annexe, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2070 1137
Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race
The 12th edition of the prestigious Sepang’s 12-hour endurance race will be held in September this year to coincide with the Malaysian Day celebrations on September 16. With the first race initiated in 2000, this race is popular with international teams and drivers from world renown endurance series including the LeMans 24 Hours, Nurburgring 24 Hours and Dubai 24 Hours make their way to Sepang to conquer what is regarded as Asia’s Biggest Race. For more information on ticket purchasing, click here.
Venue: Sepang International Circuit
It looks set to be a great weekend ahead so don’t just stay home and sleep your holiday away, Go out there and immerse yourself in the best Malaysia has to offer be it culture, nature or food, the list is endless! Happy Malaysia Day to everyone out there and be proud to be Malaysian!
Photo credits to abinesh.com, iamamalaysian.wordpress.com, tvsmith, sasararah.blogspot.com
