JEDDAH, 23 October 2006 — A massive Asian festival comprising a grand bazaar and cultural shows has been organized by the Asian Consuls General Club to be held on Oct. 27 and 28 at the International Indian School-Jeddah (Boys Section).
The festival, to be inaugurated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General Mohammed ibn Ahmed Tayyab, will have cultural events from all the participating countries and also a bazaar featuring stalls for food, games, gift and consumer items.
“Eleven Asian countries will utilize this platform to display their cultural and traditional specialties which is supposed to draw a very big crowd as the time fixed is within the Eid Al-Fitr holidays,” said Sri Lankan Consul General M. Inamullah.
The Sri Lankan Consulate will be holding three cultural dances at the show on Oct. 28 at 9.20 p.m. with the assistance of the Sri Lankan International School and a couple of Sri Lankan business organizations.
“The pageant is the first of its kind in the Kingdom and a rehearsal for even greater shows to come in future. It is a challenge for us as Sri Lankans to compete with other major countries like India, Malaysia and China,” said Inamullah. Sri Lankan nationals can call 6614197 for tickets.
“It is going to be a big cultural extravaganza and we are expecting a huge turnout,” said Suhel Ejaz Khan of the Indian Consulate. “The Asian community in Jeddah has evinced keen interest in the event,” he added.
“Various community members can contact their respective consulates to buy tickets. Community organizations, especially those from the participating countries, may also obtain tickets in bulk to sell to their members from the Consulate General of India,” he added.
Entrance tickets for the event are priced at SR10 for adults, SR5 for children while young children will be allowed in for free. Tickets will be available at the security gate of the Indian School, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days from Oct. 26.
The event, which is open to everybody, will start at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the boys’ section of the International Indian School in Jeddah. The ACGC comprises 11 Asian Consulate General offices including that of Brunei, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
