This year’s edition reflects how Latin American culture has taken root in KL. The 2021 Latin American film festival held in the city was launched with the Mexican jarabe tapatío hat dance. — Filepic
MUSIC, dance and culinary delights await visitors to the much-anticipated 15th Latin American Festival taking place this Sunday.
This annual event, to be held from 11am to 5.30pm at BB Park, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, will showcase the richness of Latin American culture.
It is being organised by the Group of Latin American Embassies (GRULAC) in Malaysia, Plaza Low Yat, Federal Hotel and Latin Women’s Association.
This year’s event will see the participation of eight embassies, namely those of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.
Each embassy will have its own booth offering traditional food and beverages, providing visitors opportunities to experience the region’s diverse flavours.
On the history of the festival, GRULAC dean and Brazilian ambassador Ary Quintella said: “Reaching its landmark 15th edition, the Latin American Festival is already a consolidated event in Kuala Lumpur’s cultural calendar.
“Visitor numbers grow every year and those who attend always look forward to next year’s celebration.”
One of this year’s highlights is an energetic Chilean dance troupe.
Attendees can also look forward to chacarera folk performances and traditional zamba dances from Argentina, as well as passionate tango and candombe dances from Uruguay.
Brazil’s batucada percussive music and capoeira martial arts dance, Mexico’s colourful dance costumes, soulful Andean music from Peru, and Colombian and Cuban musicians will also entertain.
The festival’s main sponsors are BlueStar AMG and Ethiopian Airlines.
Visitors can try their luck in a special raffle featuring prizes that include a round-trip economy ticket to either São Paulo, Brazil, or Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Other prizes sponsored by Plaza Low Yat are also up for grabs.
