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CAPTIVATING LION DANCE AT THE LOBBY OF
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR
As
part of festive Chinese New Year traditions as well as the hotel’s custom of
observing significant cultural practices, a spectacular lion dance performance was
held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur last weekend.
Performed by a group of skilled lion
dancers from Choy Lee Fatt Nan Sheng Sport Association and accompanied by a
group of 24 drummers it
was witnessed by a large crowd at the hotel lobby who were attracted to the
spectacular performance.
Observers were thrilled by the lions that took up
positions in front of the hotel showing off their agility and skill by leaping
and dancing to the throbbing drumbeat together with the clashing of cymbals.
All in all, it was a delightful performance which captured the meaning
and essence of the ritual which is to bring in good luck and ward off evil
spirits.
Traditionally, the lion dance is performed by lion
dance troupes from Chinese martial art schools or Chinese guilds and
associations who visit houses, shops, and business establishments owned by
members of the Chinese community.
The entire performance is about the traditional custom
of "cai qing" (採青),
literally meaning "plucking the greens", whereby the lion plucks the
auspicious green vegetables like lettuce either hung on a pole or placed on a
table in front of the premises.
The greens (qing) are tied to a red envelope
containing money or auspicious fruit like oranges. One of the lions is supposed
to dance and approach the greens and red envelope like a curious cat, eat the
green, and then spit it out but keep the red envelope which is the reward for
the lion troupe.
Hong Kong-based
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 98 hotels under the
Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 40,000. Shangri-La hotels are
five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.
Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji,
France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia,
Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan,
Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group
has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Mainland
China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Sri
Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel
professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.
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RESIDENT MANAGER OF SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR VASILEIOS OIKONOMOPOULOS, CHRISTOPHER HOUGH EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER O FOOD & BEVERAGE AND DATO ROSEMARIE WEE AREA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS ACCEPTING FRUIT PLATTER FROM LION
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