Noryn Aziz, Nikki, and Reshmonu leading dancers and puppeteers into a breathtaking pyrotechnic climax moment Colors of Malaysia.  Photo by KF Chow

24th May, Putrajaya - This year marks the 10th year Colours of Malaysia celebrations, an initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia to showcase the country's multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-traditional society in its most colourful and vibrant form - with street performances, music and dances.

While last year's approach featured a Theatre Performance, this year, in line with its diamond anniversary and in conjunction with the country's Visit Malaysia Year celebrations, the Colours of Malaysia performance has been expanded to include both the theatrical and street performance aspects, its first endeavour of a combination gala show.

This also includes a showcase of some of Malaysia's best loved food and delicacies that originates from various states throughout Malaysia under "Flavours of Malaysia". Scores of food stalls were featured alongside and in complement to the celebration.

Needless to say, this year's celebration marks a paradigm shift towards the Ministry's new vision to better promote a fair distribution of benefits and wealth from the tourism industry towards grassroots, especially for SMIs and SMEs.

Along with this, greater emphasis on "home-grown" assets ranging from home stays to eco-tourism. In all, it is a process of returning to the core basic fundamentals of the tourism industry. That is, for the mutual benefit of all Malaysians.

As in the words of Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, YB Dato' Sri Azalina Othman Said: "No longer will our country take a passive interest in the promotion of itself. The time has come to take a global approach towards showcasing all that's unique about Malaysia, what perhaps the world have known all this while, but we have been blindsided on how amazing our country really is. At the same time, we also need to enhance and commit ourselves to return the full measure of benefits from the industry back to our people at grassroots level. That they, too, may enjoy the fruits of their labour after all these years of sacrifice."

The national-level parade celebration was held at Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya and officiated by Their Royal Highnesses, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Sultan Kedah and Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Sultanah Kedah. More than 50,000 spectators and 1,600 performers were present to converge for what promises to be an unforgettable night of high-tech visual displays and choreographed performances, highlighting Malaysia's multi-faceted attractions.

There are estimates 600 foreign journalists cover the grand event as celebrations were live telecast to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan

This year's parade also feature a dramatic shift from its previous years' format and combines both theatrical and street performance into one night's activities. While the main event of laser shows, fireworks, live celebrity performers, cultural dancers and musicians take to the centrestage, the "real-party" or the Post Show begins after 10.30pm where the audience will be able to take to the large boulevard to join in the dancing and men-y-making.

And as part of the Ministry of Tourism s new endeavour to spread the success of the celebration to a larger audience via a "destination-based events" platform, several other venues have also been earmarked for state-level parade and feasting celebrations.