(From left) Sunway Mall Southern Region senior general manager KS Wong, Sunway Malls Selangor senior general manager Jason Chin, Chan, Sunway Malls Kuala Lumpur senior general manager Phang Sau Lian and Sunway Malls Northern Region senior general manager Chai Wen Yew at the launch of ‘Galloping Into Prosperity’ in Kuala Lumpur. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
SHOPPERS were greeted by a vibrant arena of colour and movement at Sunway Velocity in Kuala Lumpur when Sunway Malls launched its Chinese New Year campaign, “Galloping Into Prosperity”.
The main atrium has taken on a circular layout to symbolise continuity, movement and togetherness, reflecting the forward momentum associated with the Horse.
Flowing architectural lines, layered walkways and open gateways guide visitors through festive installations accented with lanterns, floral details and contemporary interpretations of traditional designs.
The month-long celebration to welcome the Year of the Horse was launched by Sunway Malls & Theme Parks chief executive officer HC Chan, who said the Horse represented energy, resilience and progress.
“The Year of the Horse symbolises strength and forward movement.
“That reflects how we are entering the year ahead – strong, purposeful and full of promise,” he said.
Top management from Sunway malls nationwide later took part in a ceremonial segment, each holding a Golden Prosperity Key.
They “unlocked” the celebration in sync, triggering a burst of confetti as rotating lantern installations lit up, symbolising the flow of good fortune.
At the centre of the installation stood the Living Shan Shui Horse Painting, which rotates as a traditional representation of the turning of great fortune.
The mall’s centrepiece is a golden horse measuring more than 10.5m tall.
The launch drew participation from Sunway’s partners including UOB Bank, Jasmine, Eu Yan Sang, Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara) and Malaysia Singapore Super Car Club.
A display of 15 flashy cars, including Ferraris, Porsches and Mustangs, kept the theme of speed, strength and momentum going.
A lion dance performance by Wan Seng Hang Dragon & Lion Arts followed, led by master craftsman Siow Ho Phiew.
A lion head display was also set up to highlight the craftsmanship and showcase the process of shaping, painting and detailing traditional lion heads.
The cultural programme continued with a performance featuring indigenous Bornean musical instruments, Indian dhol drums, Malay kompang and traditional Chinese musical instruments, symbolising unity in diversity.
Visitors were also invited to take part in a DIY auspicious knot workshop to create festive decorations as keepsakes.
The “Galloping Into Prosperity” theme is being rolled out across Sunway’s malls around the country, each with its own interpretation.
They include a multi-tiered centrepiece crowned with a horse sculpture at Sunway Pyramid Petaling Jaya, Aswara fine arts students’ six sculptural horses at Sunway Putra Mall Kuala Lumpur and a pastel-tone festive village in Sunway Carnival Mall Penang.
In Johor, horse-themed artworks by retirees from Kluang Art Society are featured by Sunway Kluang Mall while Sunway Big Box Retail Park in Iskandar Puteri is hosting a Malaysia Book of Records attempt for the largest horse replica made of origami ang pow, folded by the community using recycled packets.
Other malls in the group are Sunway Wangsa Walk, Sunway Square, Sunway 163 and Sunway Citrine Hub, each presenting their own festive layouts inspired by movement, growth and renewal.
Throughout the Chinese New Year period, Sunway malls will offer festive redemptions, cultural shows and family workshops.
Activities at Sunway Velocity will run from Feb 2 to 22, with highlights on the first day including a paper-cutting workshop at 11am, lion dance at 1pm, fan dance at 3pm and God of Fortune walkabout at 4pm.
On Feb 3, there will be a “Fortune Cat” bag workshop at 11am and God of Fortune walkabout in the afternoon.
On Feb 7, visitors can watch a mask-changing performance at 1pm, join a DIY flower tea session at 3pm and catch the God of Fortune starting 4pm.
Feb 8 features a 988 FM “All In CNY Tour” meet-the-fans session at 3pm and a Yamaha Music performance at 6pm, while a “Mama, Not Again!” meet-and-greet will take place on Feb 10 at 7.30pm.
Other interesting items include Feb 14’s DIY CNY stamp art workshop (11am), Chinese orchestra performance (2pm) and fish hanging decor workshop (5pm), as well as Feb 15’s DIY fan painting workshop (11am) and ribbon dance performance (2pm).
The God of Fortune walkabout is at 4pm on both days.
Lion dance performances are scheduled for Feb 17 (11am) and Feb 18 (1pm), and festive drum performance for Feb 21 (2pm).
The programme concludes on Feb 22 with a DIY flower tea session at 3pm.
