Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex: Your One-Stop Raya Shopping Destination

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is just around the corner, and if you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur for a last minute Raya shopping spree, be sure to stop by at Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex where visitors are set to be spoilt for choice as the iconic art centre gathers over 200 craft entrepreneurs from all over Peninsular Malaysia under one roof for its annual Ramadan festival.

The festival, which was officiated by Tourism Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz last Thursday, not only includes the sale of Aidilfitri related products (clothes, snacks, accessories and home decorations) but also features demonstrations by highly skilled craftsmen making products like songkok, tekat benang emas, songket, tenun Pahang, Batik stamps, Batik blocks and Kelingkam.

*Quick fact: Have you ever heard of Kelingkam? This exclusive hand embroidery technique, claimed to be originated from Turkey, uses pure silver threads for the needlework and its products can cost from RM3, 000 onwards.

On top of that, this festival gives an opportunity for visitors to learn more about traditional cuisines often served during Aidilfitri, for instance, the unique pulut periuk kera (glutinous rice in pitcher plants) which is said to be very popular in Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. But should visitors be more interested in kueh making, there are also cooking demonstrations on kueh ros, bangkit, semperit, dam, pineapple tarts, sarang semut, mung bean bahulu, kuih belimbing and wajik.

Other various exciting activities also will be held throughout the Colours of Aidilfitri 2016, such as:

• Special guided tours for visitors to learn more about the complex and the festival
• Musical performances ‘Gema Irama Aidilfitri’: 25 & 26 June, 2 & 3 July
• Ramadan bazaar: 8 June – 3 July
• Zakat counter: 22 June – 3 July
• Taraweeh prayers: 22 June – 3 July
• Bubur Lambuk cooking event (mixed rice porridge): 28 June
• Competitions
• Dodol Ria Aidilfitri (sticky sweet confection): 25 June
• Sulaman Selendang Raya (scarf embroidery): 26 June
• Kuih Bahulu Kebaboom (traditional small sponge cakes): 2 July

Colours of Aidilfitri 2016 is happening from June 22 until July 3, 2016, from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm (Monday – Thursday) and 10.00 am to 10.00 pm (Friday – Sunday) at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Conlay.

About The Author

Shahida Sakeri

Officially a Deputy Editor with over 10 years in travel media. Unofficially? A professional suitcase overpacker with a knack for turning chance encounters and itineraries into vivid, story-driven features. When not fine-tuning articles, she’s likely front row at a concert, taste-testing something spicy, or deep in a conversation that veered wonderfully off-topic.

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