JEDDAH, 29 October 2006 — A two-day Asia Festival ended here last night on a successful note with the expatriate communities of 10 Asian countries giving cultural presentations. The festival kicked off Friday in the presence of 3,000 invitees and guests belonging to various nationalities.
Organized by the Asia Consuls General Club (ACGC), the event, which had participants from Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines Sri Lanka and Thailand, was held with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indian Consul General Ausaf Sayeed, the driving force behind the festival, said the ACGC was formed last year by the consulates general of 11 countries drawn from the ASEAN and SAARC groups plus Japan and China. Ten of these member countries took part. “This is the first joint effort of the ACGC countries to portray glimpses of the rich Asian culture, its arts and crafts and cuisine,” he said at the inaugural ceremony on Friday. Asian Festival comes after the Indian consulate’s successful organization of the Indian Festival some time ago.
Mohammed Ahmed Tayyab, director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Western Region), who was the guest speaker, said the cultural event was a welcome development. “It introduces the Asian countries and their various aspects to everybody here,” he said. “The festival constitutes a great opportunity to introduce the culture of participating countries and to promote tourism and investment potentials,” he added. He commended the organizers for coming out with such an event. “This is indeed a good way to promote friendship and enriching culture among Asian countries,” he said.
Malaysian Consul General Tajul Aman Mohammad said: “This is an opportunity for Asian countries for a get-together and to show our way of life to the rest of the people.”
Philippine Consul General Pendosina Lomondot said: “This event is meant to promote cultural identities of each country, and for strengthening mutual relations between other Asian countries.”
Bangladesh Consul General Mohammad Ali Akbar admitted that his consulate was actually not prepared for such an event and thanked his people who despite the difficulty and last-minute preparations managed to make it to the event.
“This is very interesting and a very good start for Asian countries to work together for common good and I hope it will continue in this direction,” Akbar said.
The Thai Consulate General said a number of people visited its stand at the festival, which succeeded in giving a glimpse of the country’s culture with the help of an audiovisual program. Thai performers presented a classical “Blessing dance” number. Also, Thai culinary delights and handicrafts were on offer.
A bazaar, food and cultural presentations highlighted the event with the inaugural rendition of the IISJ high school girls’ “We welcome you” song followed by a gymnastic demonstration by high school boys.
The cultural program started with the Philippine Serenata Choir, serenading the audience of the jam-packed auditorium. A 32-member Philippine choir group from Herra General Hospital in Makkah, which rendered folk and love songs, drew loud cheers.
