By
Anthony Tan | Virgin Communications
The annual Latin American Fiesta (LAF) is co-organised by 10 Latin
America embassies - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico,
Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela - in Malaysia.
One of its objectives is to raise funds for charity. This year’s LAF will be collecting funds for Hospis Malaysia and OrphanCare.
Supporting LAF are Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Plaza Low Yat, Federal Hotels International (FHI) Group of Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, the Federal and Capitol Hotel with help from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Coca-Cola.
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DBKL Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib
(third from left) and Venezuela's Ambassador
to Malaysia Manuel Antinio Guzman Hernandez
(forth from left)with the colourfully dressed
Calypso dancers |
DBKL mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said “DBKL is glad to participate in this year’s festival with City Hall sponsoring the stage, sound system, lights and tents for the event, as well as coordinate the closure of the Plaza Low Yat Boulevard.
The Mayor added by providing support to the festival would also help to ensure the strength of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the Latin American countries.
It is a great way to show that Malaysians celebrate cultures from all around the world. It will also help to boost tourism which both locals and foreign tourists can look forward to attend this event every year.”
The Mayor also noted that not many all Malaysian have the opportunity to go to any of the Latin American countries as travelling there can be expensive.
With the festival held here, this is a great opportunity for locals to experience the colourful Latin America has to offer without having been there.
The Mayor concluded “Events such as this help to boost the city as a cultural metropolis and should be encouraged and we expect the turnout will be more than 5,000 people.”
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The lunch crowd - be there early to take your lunch at the fiesta to try out
the food from 10 countries |
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| A true international crowd gathered at the Latin American Fiesta held at BB Park, Bukit Bintang |
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| From Cuba, don't the Cuban cigars |
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From Uruguay, try the "Pascualinas", pies filled with spinach,
egg, red pepper and the right spices |
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Have you been to those designers coffee outlets where you pay
about RM10 for a cup of coffee? Most of these outlets used
coffee beans come from this country, COLOMBIA! |
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If like the taste of good beef, head for this Argentina booth to get the
canned "Corn Beef" and here you can try to get your hands on
the "Beef Empanadas" a typical dish filled with well seasoned
grounded beef with carefully selected spices |
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Another place to stop is Ecuadoe booth for coffee lovers and
handicraft collectors. Don't forget to try the Eqcuadorian Ceviche,
made with tomatoes with shrimps and served in a bowl with
toasted corn and plain chips |
Venezuelan ambassador to Malaysia Manuel Antonio Guzman Hernandez said the festival was a good place to showcase Latin American culture.
Guzman said “The event was a great opportunity for the Latin American and expatriate communities to share their cultures with Malaysians.
The whole affair will be the best culturally infused carnival street party in Bukit Bintang."
Visitors will be able to learn the food, art, culture and music of different Latin American countries and get to understand with a deeper appreciation for them,” he said, adding that the event would not be possible without the dedication and support of all the embassies.
Each participating country has its own unique individuality to showcase."
With just days away from football World Cup which will be held in Brazil this year, the Brazilian embassy with be highlighting in the festival of this coming prestigious event.
"The Latin American Fiesta promises a fun-filled day to those planning to attend," said Guzman.
Plaza Low Yat general manager (property management and operations) Michael Lee said “This year, there will be more space for booths and Plaza Low Yat Boulevard will be partially closed to enable people to walk around.
There will be a road closure at Plaza Low Yat from 11am to 6pm on the day of the festival.”
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Here is it not about football but this it is about the "World Cup" this year.
For food, try the recommended Coxinhas (Brazilian chicken Croquettes)
and Bobo de Camarao
(shrimps and manioc stew with steamed garlic rice)
From 11am to 6pm, at the fiesta, each Latin American embassy will have a booth where there will be typical Latin American food and beverages, original handicrafts and touristic information. Visitors will be entertained with Brazilian capoeira dance, Peruvian music, Argentinian tango, Ecuadorian songs by Ecuadorian pasillo singers, Mexican jazz presentation, Venezuelan calypso dance, Colombian dance Cuban music, and also Malaysian performances.
There will also be lucky draws, where visitors will have the opportunity to win a Panasonic camera, Lenovo tablet, Adidas watches, and the grand prize of a return trip to any destination in Latin America country. There will also be a whole host of football-related activities in celebrating the upcoming World Cup.
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