BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Brunei-Muara district is celebrating His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s birthday today with the customary parade held at Taman Hj Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.

His Majesty turned 69 years old last month on July 15 but the celebration was moved to today after His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, declared today as a special holiday following last month’s second meeting of the national committee for His Majesty’s birthday.

During the special holiday, the investiture ceremony will be held at Istana Nurul Iman after this morning’s customary parade.

Brunei officially started His Majesty’s belated 69th celebrations on August 1 with the hoisting of the giant national flag.

The flag will remain hoisted until August 31, 2015.

During the festivities, each district will hold a royal Junjung Ziarah (meet and greet) beginning from Tutong on August 18 (Tuesday) at the open field at the Tutong Community Hall.

This will be followed by Temburong on August 20. The celebration in Temburong will take place at the open field of the Temburong Community Hall.

The celebration will then move on to Belait on August 22, which is set to take place at the Kuala Belait Municipal Field.

The celebration will culminate at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien on August 23.

Evening entertainment comprising cultural and religious performances, as well as festive stalls, in all four districts will kick off from today until August 31.

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.

The stalls will start operation from 6pm to midnight.

Brunei-Muara visitors can visit the 195 various stalls selling, among other retail items, fruits as well as food and beverages.

Performances scheduled to be held in the capital include cultural stage performance by the Information Department, cultural night featuring arts and cultural performances from Bangladesh, China and ASEAN countries.

Similar events will be held at the open space across the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong and the Taman Perayaan in Pekan Bangar, Temburong, respectively.

The Brunei Times