Lanterns light up Penang seafront

Rakesh (back row, second left) and Swathi (back row, centre) with their children Mihir (left) and Oreeth (in yellow), joined by Ong (in red) with her daughter Hazel (front row, right). — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

WHEN children in China first carried lanterns under the harvest moon millennia ago, they could scarcely have imagined that someday, their peers from other cultures would be joining in the tradition.

In multi-cultural Malaysia, such scenes of shared celebrations are common, as seen during the Golden Moon By-The-Sea Mid-Autumn festivities at Penang’s Straits Quay Retail Marina.

Youngsters of different backgrounds carried glowing lanterns side by side, their laughter echoing around the promenade as yachts bobbed away in the background.

For many parents, the event was an opportunity to let their children experience and appreciate a different culture.

Chandra Ramasamy, 46, enjoyed the occasion with his family and was seen snapping photos of his son Trishen, eight.

The assistant director of a property management company is of Indian-Chinese heritage and knows first hand, the joys of celebrating different festivals.

LED dragon dance performance captivating the crowd during the celebration at Straits Quay Retail Marina.

“I’d like my children to grow up in an open, accepting, multicultural community and not be isolated in their own world.

“Exposing them to different cultures broadens their horizons,” he said.

Expatriate couple K. Rakesh, 42, and P. Swathi, 38, from Banga­lore, India, who are both working as engineers in Penang, took ad­­van­­tage of the opportunity, too.

They helped their two children Mihir, 10, and Oreeth, seven, craft bespoke lanterns in a workshop before accompanying them on the walk.

“We found out about the event on social media and wanted to experience it for the first time,” Rakesh said.

Swathi added, “We believe occasions like these help them understand others better and perhaps even make new friends.”

For Chinese families, the event allowed them to reconnect with their roots and uphold age-old customs.

Housewife Angela Ong, 27, brought her parents, sister and five-year-old daughter, Hazel Kek, for a family outing.

“We come every year. Her school is nearby so most of her friends are here, too. The atmosphere is livelier this time,” Ong shared.

Trishen (with red cap) holding a traditional lantern at the Love of Bunnies Garden with other children.

Remisier Jessline Tan, 45, who made the short walk from her nearby home with her daughter Dawn, 10, said presenting a traditional festival in a fun way would make it more appealing for children.

“She goes to an international school where Western celebrations like Halloween and Christ­mas are all the rage.

“I wanted her to enjoy our own festivals and learn that our traditions are just as meaningful and worth celebrating.”

The event also featured a night market and cultural performances, including an impressive LED dragon dance.

On the mall’s floating stage, drum performances and games took place against a giant moon backdrop.

A mass Zumba session and riddles completed the activities.

Also set up for the festival was the Love of Bunnies Garden featuring several dozen lighted rabbit sculptures.

This doubled up as a charity fundraising campaign in aid of SJK (C) Chin Hwa.

Straits Quay senior manager Wong Siew Hui said visitors could make donations of RM100 or RM200 for customised carrot tags which would be attached to the rabbit sculptures.

“We hope to raise at least RM7,000. All proceeds will go towards funding a sensory room for special needs students,” Wong said.