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MELBOURNE – The inaugural Malaysia Week 2009, to be held from September 27th to October 10th, is a showcase of events that promote Malaysia through the arts, culture, food, tourism and trade. Organised for the first time in Melbourne, Malaysia Week is run by the sizable Malaysian student population here and supported by some of Malaysia’s largest multinationals including AirAsia X, Tourism Malaysia, Matrade and Proton.

Malaysia Week will kick off with Fiesta Malaysia on the 27th of September, a one-day celebration of Malaysia’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Fiesta Malaysia runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the expansive grounds of Queensbridge Square, Southbank. Highlights include traditional performances ranging from the colourful dances of West Malaysia to the exotic tribal music of Borneo. Fiesta Malaysia will also showcase mouth watering Malaysian cuisine from some of the best Malaysian restaurants in the city. There will even be ample opportunities to try out Malaysia’s beautiful cultural costumes and to participate in traditional games. Admission is free and fun for the whole family is guaranteed. Visit www.fiestamalaysia.com for more information.

Following Fiesta Malaysia, the celebration continues with the Australian Malaysian Film Festival, which will screen some of Malaysia’s latest and best films. This year’s film festival, returning for the third time in Melbourne, has combined forces with Malaysia Week 2009 to highlight the unity within diversity between Malaysia and Australia. The films chosen this year include two films by the award winning Yasmin Ahmad, Muallaf and Talentime; Geng the Movie which is Malaysia’s first animated feature film; and Cicakman 2, a superhero action comedy. A batik exhibition will run alongside the film festival. Both of these events will be held from the 4th to 7th October at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Federation Square. For screening times and ticket prices, visit www.australianmalaysianfilmfestival.com.au.

Malaysia Week 2009 in Melbourne follows in the great tradition of Malaysia Week, London and Malaysian Festival, Sydney. Some of the events during Malaysia Week 2009 have been held before, including Fiesta Malaysia and the Australian Malaysian Film Festival, but this is the first time a collaboration on this grand scale has been attempted. The organisers of Malaysia Week include the various Malaysian student organisations in Victoria in partnership with professionals like A2K Media. There are over 7000 Malaysian students and expatriates living in Melbourne, and the whole community welcomes Melbournites to experience a part of Malaysia, right here in Australia’s cultural capital!

To find out more about Malaysia Week 2009, visit us on the web at www.malaysiaweek.com.au.