Asian Festival

Asian Pacific Festival 2005, Tenjin

Because Fukuoka is the city closest to the Asian Mainland (We are actually closer to Seoul than Tokyo, geographically), Asia is celebrated in a more genuine way. This festival is like a bazaar with each stall manned by a different country, like an International Pasar Malam. Here, I could buy Nepalese knick-knacks, sample Korean Kimchi and watch performances, and buy tickets to destinations in China. The stall for Philippines was selling handbags, and I immediately thought of Imelda Marcos. Singapore was not represented there this year though, pity. [Hey Government Agencies! We know you are secretly reading our blogs! How about coming down to represent Singapore in Fukuoka next year huh?!!] My friend Saksama said quite pertinently that whatever the Singapore stall would sell the Malaysian stall was already selling, which, after closer examination, was kindof true. Samuel said that Tanya Chua came to perform last year, so I kept my eyes on the stage to see if JJ, Steph or Joi would be here this year. Nope.