Malaysian Embassy In Tehran Celebrates Malaysia Day With ‘Baleh Makan’ Cultural Event

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Embassy in Tehran celebrated Malaysia Day with a vibrant cultural and culinary event titled “Baleh Makan” on Saturday (28 Sept), providing a platform to strengthen the cultural ties between Malaysia and Iran.

The event was hosted by the Malaysian Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, and was attended by over 350 guests, including diplomats, business leaders, academics, and cultural figures.

“The term ‘Baleh Makan’ combines elements from both the Malay and Farsi languages – ‘Baleh’ is derived from the Malay word ‘Boleh’, meaning ‘can’, while in Farsi, ‘Bale’ translates to ‘yes’. This shared linguistic link reflects the cultural parallels between the two nations.

“‘Makan’, which means ‘eating’ in Malay, serves as an ideal theme for an evening centred around food and communal dining, symbolising unity and friendship,” said Khairi.

The event was graced by the Director General of Asia and Oceania Affairs, Mohammadi, and the Mayor of Zanjan, Dr Alireza Firoozfar.

Khairi emphasised the significance of such events in promoting cultural diplomacy.

“Malaysia and Iran share a long-standing relationship based on mutual respect and shared values. Events like ‘Baleh Makan’ allow us to celebrate our friendship and enhance cultural understanding through the universal languages of food and art.

“Tonight’s Wayang Kulit performance, with its Iranian narrative, symbolises the rich interconnection between our two nations,” he said.

The highlight of the evening was a traditional Malaysian Kenduri, or communal feast, prepared by a renowned Malaysian chef.

Guests enjoyed a variety of iconic dishes, each representing the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Malaysia.

The culinary experience was complemented by a unique Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) performance.

In an extraordinary display of cultural exchange, the performance was conducted by a group of Iranian artists who studied this ancient art form in Malaysia.

The artists performed the story of Siavash, a well-known Iranian folk tale, bringing a harmonious blend of Malaysian and Iranian traditions to the stage. The performance exemplified the strong cultural bonds between the two nations and highlighted the power of cross-cultural exchange.

-- BERNAMA