According to Jonker Walk management committee chairman Datuk Wira Gan Tian Loo, a 179-metre-long dragon lantern has been installed at the iconic Jonker Walk in Melaka, marking the beginning of the Lunar New Year celebration and putting the locals in a festive mood.
Gan stated that the dragon, described as the longest in the country, will symbolize the start of the Year of the Dragon for the state.
“We now have a pair of dragons at Jonker Walk spreading auspicious energy in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festivities,” he said on Saturday (Jan 27).
Gan mentioned that 150 volunteers, including schoolchildren, carried the replica from SMJK Tinggi Cina at Jalan Malim in Melaka to Jonker Walk on Saturday morning.
He added that Jonker Walk would once again be the focal point for the Lunar New Year celebration in the state, as it has been in previous years.
Gan also noted that many locals have begun decorating and lighting up Taoist temples across the state, which he believes can be promoted as attractions during the festive season.
“These decorations can also be promoted as crowd-pullers during the festive season,” he said.
Gan also mentioned that the Jonker Walk committee would continue its tradition of organizing cultural shows, performances, and charity work during the Lunar New Year.
“Lunar New Year is also about sharing and making it a joyous occasion for the needy,” he added.
