BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

EVENING entertainment comprising cultural and religious performances as well as festive stalls in all four districts will kick off from August 15-31, involving the participation from government agencies, private sector, students and individuals.

These are parts of the activities that will be held to enliven the celebrations of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s belated 69th birthday.

A document issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday said that the evening performances and festive stalls will take place in the parking area in front of the Royal Regalia in the capital and the Gerai Tudung Saji area in Kuala Belait.

Scheduled to perform during the events held in the capital, the document said, will include cultural stage performance by the Information Department, cultural night featuring arts and cultural performances from Bangladesh, China and ASEAN countries.

The activity will also see the Gulingtangan contest which will be organised by the the Culture and Arts Division at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The festive stalls will start from 6pm to midnight, where visitors can visit 195 various stalls selling among other retail items, fruits as well as food and beverages.

Meanwhile, in Tutong and Temburong Districts, similar events will be held at the open space across the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital and Taman Perayaan in Pekan Bangar, respectively. The monarch’s birthday this year is celebrated a month after the actual date of July 15, due to Ramadhan. The aforementioned programmes will take place as the side events in addition to the main programmes involving a parade at Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien and an investiture ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman. The main events will begin in the morning on August 15, which has been declared as a special holiday to celebrate the auspicious day.

The Brunei Times