The 13th Latin American Festival to be held on September 25 in Kuala Lumpur will showcase the amazing diversity of the region.
A press conference by the Embassies of Latin America and the Caribbean (Grulac) unveiled colorful visuals of the festival to be held from 11am to 6pm at Commons KL and BB Park, Bukit Bintang.
A beautiful Argentine tango dance and an exciting Brazilian capoeira (marital art form) performance wowed the audience. A Mexican folkloric dance was next.
Guests also got a tantalizing taste of Latin American cuisine at the event, enjoying Mexican food like cheese quesadillas, chicken tacos and chicken tinga gorditas. Brazilian staples such as pao de queijo (cheese buns) and coxinha, batter-fried and shredded chicken formed into a cocktail, were also served.
Then there were the empanadas of Argentina, the baked and deep-fried croquettes of Cuba, plus the shrimps of Peru (a cold appetizer) and chicha morada, a drink made from purple corn.
Brazilian Ambassador Ary Norton De Murat Quintella said the festival was the ideal platform for Malaysians to learn about Latin American culture.
“Each embassy will have stands showcasing their country’s food, crafts and history.
Quintella showing the Brazilian national soccer jersey included as a raffle prize.
“Other activities include a raffle with prizes such as a plane ticket to a Latin American country (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba or Mexico) to be purchased in 2023.
“The Brazilian Embassy has also donated two national football jerseys for the lucky draw for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“As in previous years, all proceeds from the festival will go to the Malaysian Foundation for the Blind, chosen by the Latin American Embassies and the Malaysian Latin Women’s Association.” Quintella said.
The funds will help the foundation purchase Perkin Brailler typewriters to produce Braille in schools or at home.
The festival is organized by Grulac which includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Peru, in collaboration with Plaza Low Yat, Federal Hotels International, The Federal Kuala Lumpur and Hotel Capitol Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), KL Tourism Bureau and Malaysian Latin Women Association are supporting the festival.
At the press conference were the Chilean ambassador Diego Velasco Von Pilgrimm, the Cuban ambassador Florentino Batista Gonzalez, the Mexican ambassador Edmundo Font Lopez, the Peruvian ambassador Ricardo Estanislao Morote Canales, the Colombian charge d’affaires of the Women’s Association, Raul Sanchez. of Malaysian President Maria Cristina Gutierrez Garibi and Vice President Charis Fanelli.
Other participants were Low Yat Group managing director Datuk Low Gee Teong, DBKL Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports Department senior manager Mohd Fauzi Ahmad, Federal group director of marketing, sales, business development and operations of International Hotels, Ooi Lee Ping, Plaza Low Yat Area Director Steven Chong and Assistant General Manager Elaine Liew.
