Tang yuan being distributed to mark Winter Solstice Festival in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur alongside the staging of lion dance and percussion performances. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
THE Winter Solstice Festival brought even more vibrancy to Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
The event saw the festival’s must-have item – tang yuan (glutinous rice balls served in syrup) – being given out for free.
There were some 700 people who enjoyed the delicacy as well as lion dance and percussion performances.
Melvin Chan, one of the organisers, said they had been giving out tang yuan for some 10 years.
“This is one of the ways we can give back to those who have supported us throughout the years.
“Without them our family would not have been able to live and work here,” he said.
Tourists enjoying the traditional delicacy. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
Chan is the fourth generation owner of Fung Wong Biscuits, which was established more than a century ago.
He added that holding such events in Chinatown would also help to get older residents, who had moved out of the area, to return for a visit.
The Chinese festival was organised by several Petaling Street businesses, resident groups and organisations, including Petaling Street Rukun Tetangga (KRT), Chinese Night Market and Food Truck Vendors Association in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur as well as Global Harmony Foundation (GHF).
Association chairman Teen Swee Siang said they hoped to have more events in the lead up to Chinese New Year in February.
Also present were former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Yew Teong Look, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Ang Say Tee and GHF chairman Datuk Dr Tommy Lam.
Winter Solstice on Dec 22 in the northern hemisphere marks the shortest day of the year, with the Chinese festival also including honouring ancestors. — By SHALINI RAVINDRAN
