PHOTO: Malaysian Ambassador "opened the house" for guests in Kiev
The Ambassador of Malaysia held a special dinner at his own residence on the occasion of the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Kyiv.
At the event were invited journalists, diplomats, public figures and others.
The ambassador told the guests about the symbols of his country and the traditions of celebrating the end of Ramadan, better known as Eid al-Fitr.
One of the cultural features of the country of Southeast Asia is the tradition of the "Open House". Its essence is that in the most important holidays for any ethnic group inhabiting Malaysia, tables are laid with dishes and everyone is invited. In this way people deep a sense of unity, regardless of race, religious or cultural affiliation. Interestingly that the doors to malaysian prime minister's residence opened for all comers as well as for other high-ranking government officials.
The tradition of “Open Doors” is also held in Eid al-Fitr.
On the first day of holidays, people dress in traditional bright (purple, pink, yellow) Malay suits. Men wear baju melayu (“Malayan clothes”) - loose silk pants and a shirt with long sleeves, a V-neck and waistband, as well triangular headdress. Women wear baju kurung - a knee-length blouse worn over the skirt.
An important tradition is the exchange of gifts with relatives, special attention is paid to children who approach adults, bring their had to face and in return receive a green envelope with money.
The table these days is a visual encyclopedia of Malay cooking: it necessarily includes beef rendang, peanut sticks and a variety of delicacies with rice, such as ketupat wrapped in bags of palm leaves, or lemang - sticky rice cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick lined banana leaf. Recently, some of these dishes have been included in the list of national heritage of Malaysia.
Guests were happy to get acquainted with the Malay culture and chatted.
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