Shopping malls set mood for Hari Raya

The elegant Middle Eastern decorations at Bangsar Shopping Centre provide shoppers with an exotic experience. — BRIAN MOH/The Star

Shoppers can immerse themselves in the joyous atmosphere of Hari Raya as shopping centres are pulling out all the stops to decorate their premises.

With a play on the words “do it”, Bangsar Shopping Centre invites shoppers to celebrate Raya with their “DoEid” theme.

Shoppers will be transported to the Middle East as beautifully crafted geometric and dome structures decorate the bazaar at the concourse.

Blue canopies hang from dome to dome and fairy lights illuminate the blue and gold structures resembling Middle Eastern mosques.

Bazaar booths offer an array of Hari Raya goodies which include traditional outfits, elegant accessories and exquisite Persian carpets to further enliven the festive spirit for shoppers.

Also replicating the Middle Eastern feel is KL Sogo with their “Sinar Aidilfitri” decorations inspired by the Blue Mosque of Istanbul.

A traditional Malay house is featured on the main stage at Subang Parade where various performances will be showcased, such as the ‘tarian kuda kepang’ which is a rarity nowadays. — Low Boon Tat/The Star 

Colourful Islamic geometric patterns resembling the interior walls of the Blue Mosque adorn escalator islands, pillars, and railings throughout the mall.

Similarly, the main entrance of the mall is decked with gazebo-like structures in shades of blue, green, turquoise, bougainvillea pink and inkblot blue.

Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur celebrates Hari Raya with its “Sarongkan Keindahan Aidilfitri Bersama Berjaya Times Square KL” with the aim to bring the serenity of a traditional Malay village into the heart of the city.

Shoppers are greeted by an impressive traditional Malay village set-up that features a typical kampung house complete with potted plants outside alongside a rustic bicycle, a vintage Vespa and even a chicken coop.

A cooking cauldron or kawah is placed next to a row of lemang while electric-powered oil lamps and traditional padi harvesting tools can be found on the verandah.

Shoppers can savour local delicacies such as cendol and ais kacang, participate in a batik canting workshop and even purchase handmade batik fashion pieces from booths surrounding the kampung house.

Subang Parade is also featuring traditional village décor with its theme of “Marilah Raya Bersama-sama.”

“We hope to invoke nostalgia and allow customers to reminisce the good ol’ times in their hometowns with traditional games such as congkak and batu seremban,” said Subang Parade shopping centre management general manager Chris Stanley.

Red hibiscus and a white vintage Vespa scooter adorn the stage set at Empire Shopping Gallery’s concourse. — BRIAN MOH/The Star 

The concourse area now resembles a traditional Malay village with a house, antique bicycle, lemang and even chickens.

Subang Parade has also hung fairy lights from the top of the concourse area to create a starry night feel.

Setia City Mall is celebrating the occasion with Kuala Lumpur Railway Station-themed decorations for a balik kampung feel. The main attraction is a 14-seater train at the concourse.

Shoppers taking a break from stalls and booths selling festive must-haves such as baju kurung and kuih raya can sit on nearby benches which resemble those at train stations.

“A train station evokes memories of going back to your hometown for the festivities and time spent with loved ones,” said Setia City Mall general manager Philippa Holmes.

Shoppers who miss the 1950s and 1960s can get groovy at Empire Shopping Gallery with its retro “Gaya Raya” theme.

The concourse has been styled with classic buildings and a vintage-lit stage with Vespa scooters placed around the area.

There are carts selling festive goods such as kain songket, handmade jewellery and Raya cookies.

Shoppers will enjoy retro music and specially choreographed dance performances on weekends throughout the month of Ramadan.

Colourful geometric structures resembling the interior tiles of the Blue Mosque brightens up the concourse area at KL SOGO.

It is all about batik at Tropicana City Mall as talented local craftsmen from Karyaneka Malaysia showcase their finest work at the mall’s batik-themed Raya celebration.

Tropicana City Mall shoppers can also enjoy treats from yesteryear at Warung Mustaffa located on Level One of the shopping mall.

At the warung, shoppers can purchase tidbits, snacks and childhood games like toy capsules, bubblegum balloons and bubble wands.

Batik painting and wau bulan-making workshops are ongoing throughout the month of Ramadan along with traditional performances such as tarian joget, tarian rambaian Melayu, and gamelan and caklempong performances.

-thestar online.