Lagi-lagi Lela Menchanai

'Lela Menchanai' musical play draws crowds at Brunei Pavilion
By Hakim Hayat in Nanning, Guangxi, China

Unlike in the previous years, the 'Brunei City of Charm' Bandar Seri Begawan at the 8th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) this year comes with a difference, as a local musical play 'Lela Menchanai' is being incorporated as part of the Brunei Tourism Board's efforts in promoting Brunei's rich heritage and culture.

"It is quite a dramatic performance and this has attracted more to visit our pavilion this year," said Salinah Salleh, Tourism Officer-in-Charge at the Brunei City of Charm Pavilion.

For the last few years ever since Brunei's participation at the CAEXPO, it has showcased various landmarks of Brunei such as the 'Usungan Diraja', The Empire Hotel and Country Club, and the Cultural Village of Kampung Ayer last year. Salinah said the decision of choosing Kampung Ayer as the Brunei landmark to be featured again for the second year is because Kampung Ayer is the main attraction of Bandar Seri Begawan and most of Brunei's tourist attraction landmarks are found in the capital.

"This is why we want to encourage other districts to develop their tourism product, so we will have something that can be featured to the outside world," she said. "You also have to be wise with the design of it here, as we are more concerned with the reaction of the Chinese people and also their interest. This is why the designs are based on our capital, so that they will see this when they come to our country," she added.

"Even if we showcased our oilfields in Kuala Belait, I don't think it will be as effective. In fact, we would like to feature another of our landmark, Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque, but unfortunately, we didn't find the idea of having dance performances in front of the mosque appropriate," commented Salinah.

Salinah said the design is based on the open tender they contracted out to the designer and builder, which are Cityneon Displays and Construction Sdn Bhd.

On the fourth day of the 8th CAEXPO, many visitors were seen fascinated by the Kampung Ayer housing structure model built at the pavilion and many passers-by stopped to take pictures and inquire more on what the Abode of Peace could offer. Bruneians' smile did not fail to charm the hundreds of visitors at the Brunei Pavilion as traditional dancers took the stage in an hourly basis. As traditional dance routines and costumes were showcased and Brunei local songs echoed across the hall, more visitors flocked to the pavilion.

The brochures prepared by the Brunei Tourism Board were quickly snapped up as more people flocked into the exhibition area, which also houses City of Charm Pavilions from China and Asean cities, such as Hainan, China; Singapore City and Hoi-An, Vietnam.

Lagi-lagi LELA MENCHANAI !!
Ikuti pandangan Rumpun Suara sebelum ini,
http://rumpunsuara.blogspot.com/2011/09/lagenda-puteri-lela-mencanai.html