Fah Thai Magazine Jan-Feb 2018

OVERTURES
Authentic Italian cuisine made with only the freshest ingredients available
NEWS AND EVENTS
2-4& 9-11
FEB 2018 FEB 2018
KUALA LUMPUR
MPO BALLET FEST
The Dewan Filharmonik Petronas hosts
the visiting Ballet of Armenia for the third
instalment of the MPO’s Ballet Festival.
Performing at the grand hall, conductor Karen
Durgaryan and the Ballet of Armenia troupe
are set to enthral audiences with memorable
performances from Tchaikovsky’s greatest
ballet scores, Swan Lake and the Nutcracker
for the opening weekend in February. Swan
Lake, one of the most popular ballets in the
world, tells the story of evil sorcerer Von
Rothbart who turned Princess Odette into a
swan. The ever popular Christmas Eve tale of
Clara and the Nutcracker never fails to delight
audiences of all ages. In the following week,
they will perform Khachaturian’s two most
well-known ballets, Gayané and Spartacus.
mpo.com.my
13-19FEB
2018
VIENTIANE
SAYABOULY ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
Laos, once known as “The Land of a Million
Elephants”, will throw the country’s biggest party
for a parade of elephants at the sleepy border
town of Sayabouly Province, near Vientiane
in mid-February. The annual Lao Elephant
Festival often draws more than 80,000 local
and international visitors who gather together
to witness the procession of thousands of
elephants. Before the start of festivities, the
elephants undergo their own makeover – with
extra pampering making them fresh and radiant
as they parade pass the crowds. A blessing
ceremony is also performed by monks for them.
Equally special at the festival is the selection of
the “Elephant of the Year” with more than 100
pachyderm contestants. Highlighting that is the
majestic procession complete with the elephants
in decorative body paint as they march through
the small town of Sayabouly. At the festival,
colourful and energetic performances of both
local and foreign artists entertain all, with
traditional games played and night markets for
strolling. tourismlaos.org
16FEB
2018
HONG KONG
A DOG HAS ITS DAY
Rather, the astrological canine gets a whole
year, as based on the Chinese zodiac sign.
Fortune tellers advocate lifestyle changes for
the Year of the Earth Dog 2018. In Hong Kong,
households continue the flurry to prepare for
the Lunar New Year, which begins on February
16. This is a good time for major lifestyle
changes: such as starting a new business, or
moving to a new residence. If you’re a smoker
– consider quitting, states the sage advice.
Predictions also say that it’s a good time to
bring on social change and the Chinese people
believe that a dog is an auspicious animal.
Meanwhile, the village of Lam Tsuen in
Tai Po celebrates the Well-Wishing Festival
with people travelling from all over to make
wishes for the lunar new year. There are two
conduits to ensure that wishes are heard: in
the form of Wishing Trees or the Wishing
Lanterns. The tradition calls for writing your
wish on a piece of paper that’s tied to an
orange fruit with a decent length of string
attached. Aim well and throw your “wish”
into the Wishing Tree. If it catches on the
branches, your wish is said to come true.
Another chance to make a wish follows
after various ceremonies that are held
throughout the festivities. This time, your wish
is released with the Wishing Lanterns into the
night sky. The all-day event at Lam Tsuen in
Tai Po is easily accessible. Just take the MTR
to Tai Po Station, exit the station and take the
64K bus to Lam Tsuen.
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