The Cultural Exchange Festival opens in Banda Hilir today, 31 October, and runs until 2 November.
When we first covered the three-day ASEAN festival, participation was still being finalised. It now stretches to six countries: Malaysia, Brunei, China, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Organisers are aiming for 30,000 visitors.
What’s new for visitors
Saturday is the highlight. The opening ceremony and the Cross-Cultural Heritage Parade take place today, with performers from different communities moving through the Banda Hilir heritage district.
The programme includes:
- Mak Yong, the traditional Malay dance-theatre
- Lion and dragon dance performances from China
- Cultural performances from the participating countries
- Craft displays, exhibitions, talks and food stalls
Try the old games yourself
Konda-kondi and dam aji, two traditional folk games, have their own competitions at the grounds of the Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum on 31 October and 1 November. Tourism authorities say the sessions are meant to let visitors, especially young people and foreign tourists, learn about and try the games.
Plan your visit
Activities are spread across three venues in Banda Hilir: the Sultanate Palace Museum grounds, the People’s Museum (Muzium Rakyat) and the Malay and Islamic World Museum. All three sit within walking distance of each other.
Arrive early on Saturday if you want a good spot for the parade. The bus network or a ride-hailing app saves you hunting for a space. Our Driving and Smart Parking guide covers the parking rules if you do bring a car.
Afterwards, St Paul’s Church and the Stadthuys are a short walk away.
