Colourful Christmas floats were a hit among parade onlookers. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
5,000 join in Christmas parade around Kuching, with carols and colourful floats
IT was a spectacle to behold – some 5,000 people from different churches and denominations going on a 4km procession, singing joyful carols around Kuching city’s famous spots.
It was the annual Kuching Christmas Parade which spread cheer and goodwill around the city centre to usher in the festive season.
Held on Dec 2, the annual event was organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) and Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association to share the joy of the celebration with the theme “A Heartwarming Christmas”.
The 5,000-odd people walked along a circular route from Jubilee Ground to Jalan Padungan, Kuching Waterfront, Jalan Tabuan and Jalan Ban Hock.
Adding to the spectacle were 15 colourful floats depicting the Nativity and other Christmas scenes. Some also had live bands performing Christmas carols.
“This year, we had more floats than before. They were among the highlights of the parade,” organising chairman William Ting said.
Parade members of all ages walking along the streets of Kuching with festive props and (below) members of a Boys Brigade musical band joining in the opening prayer at the Kuching Christmas Parade.
He said other highlights included performances by Boys Brigade musical bands and the distribution of Christmas gifts from parade members to the public, especially children.
Ahead of the event, ACS secretary-general Ambrose Linang called on the Kuching population to celebrate Christmas together in peace and harmony.
“Let the spirit of goodwill reclaim centrestage among all races of different beliefs and cultures.
“Let us not allow racial polarisation and religious extremism to destroy the fabric of our society,” he said.
Ambrose also said the parade was a melting pot of different cultures, languages, ethnicities and diversity.
“This diversity is the strength of Sarawak. Others can see that we all live in peace and harmony,” he added.
Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh, who joined other church leaders at the parade, said Christmas was a time to celebrate together.
“So let us be people of goodwill, come together and do something for Sarawak as all races and faiths celebrate together, building friendships and harmony.
“Let Sarawak be a model for Malaysia that we can live together as friends,” he said.
Sarawak’s Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Jack Aman said the large number of parade participants reflected the unity among the people.
“What is important is for us to celebrate together to build a better nation,” he said.
Parade members handing out Christmas gifts to the public along the route and (bottom) participants singing Christmas carols at Jubilee Ground at the start of the parade.
For Pastor John Para of Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM), Christmas was an important celebration to remember God’s love.
“It’s a joyful occasion for us to celebrate God’s goodness and love,” he said.
John, who was taking part for the third time, said the parade was an event that all churches in Kuching looked forward to each year.
“What I enjoy most is giving out gifts to people watching the parade and sharing the celebrations with the people of Kuching,” he said.
Meanwhile, friends Eunice Sia and Nicole Wong were excited about taking part in the parade for the first time.
“We are dressed as angels and have lines to speak along the route,” Eunice said.
The event began with an opening prayer led by Poh, followed by Christmas carols and Bible readings at Jubilee Ground.
At 7pm, parade members began walking along the route, where they were greeted by large crowds lining the streets.
The brightly-lit floats were a hit, as were the distribution of Christmas gifts.
The parade ended back at Jubilee Ground at about 9pm.
