‘Imlek’ ambiance: A glittering replica of a Chinese temple adorns La Piazza, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, adding to the mood of this year’s Imlek. Courtesy of La Piazza Mall
Most people get fancy paper trumpets for the New Year, and as most crowded streets in different parts of this country will be swarming with occasional trumpet vendors, getting hold of this major annoyance is relatively easy.
Yet things weren’t always that easy for those wanting to celebrate Chinese New Year. Once commemorated discreetly by the Chinese, the decorations for this occasion were restricted to certain items with only a handful of spots in Jakarta, like Mangga Dua and Glodok, making them available.
It’s a relief that major shopping malls have started to make Imlek a significant occasion, opening
bazaars and holding various related events for all of their customers to enjoy.
Taman Anggrek Mall, for example, has always held an Imlek decoration bazaar during the month of the Chinese New Year.
“Imlek is considered a major event in Taman Anggrek, and our decoration bazaar, held accordingly from Feb. 4 to 21 this year with 18 participating booths, is just a small part of our overall plan,” said Anastasia Damastuti, Taman Anggrek’s PR officer.
This year’s “Boat of Fortune” theme transformed the mall’s main stage into a giant “junk regatta”,
in which its Imlek bazaar vendors will have boats replacing their common carts, docked in a way to resemble a giant floating market. Taman Anggrek expects to see its visitors increase by 30 percent this month.
Various Imlek accessories like lanterns, red clothes, envelopes and jade necklaces can be found inside the mall in addition to traditional delicacies like steamed buns (bakpao), cookies, candies and various types of Chinese tea.
Holding an almost similar theme is Sentra Kelapa Gading, where “Journey to Prosperity” has a life-size boat as the main stage at the Forum of Mal Kelapa Gading 3.
The mall will also have an Imlek decoration bazaar for the people of North Jakarta from Jan. 28 to Feb. 16, making various types of lanterns and pussy willow available.
The mall is also holding a promotion program called “Lucky Treasure Coin”, giving lucky shoppers the chance to win prizes like cellular phones, DVD players, dining vouchers and so forth.
Senayan City, which expects to see a 50 to 60 percent increase in visitors during the month, will not hold a souvenir bazaar during the Imlek period from Feb. 3 to 27, during which time its Imlek decorations will be on display, but it will hold a “Morning Sale” on the morning of Feb. 13.
“Running only between 8 to 10 a.m., participating tenants will join the one-day promotion for Imlek shoppers. Debenhams, for example, has prepared up to 70 percent discounts during the short time period,” said Sri Ayu Ningsih, the PR manager of Senayan City.
Also acknowledging Valentine’s Day, Senayan City decided to uphold the “Celebration of Love and Lunar New Year in the Forbidden City” as its theme, which is its way of combining Valentine’s and Chinese New Year.
It has eight replicas of terracotta army soldiers made of chocolate and is holding various activities for couples and visitors that involves chocolates.
Grand Indonesia has displayed its Imlek decorations since Jan. 29, bringing “A Night of a Thousand Lanterns” to its visitors.
Another good source for decoration items, the mall will also hold a bazaar for both Valentine’s products and Imlek accessories until Feb. 28.
“In terms of budget, our allocation for Imlek is below the budget for other holiday seasons or the mall’s anniversary celebration. It’s slightly less than for Ramadan,” said Teges Prita Soraya, senior marketing communication manager of Grand Indonesia Shopping Town.
With so many bazaars available during the month, including various exhibitions and events related to Chinese New Year, shopping for fitting Imlek decorations is guaranteed to be exciting. So do enjoy your Imlek and once again, Gong Xi Fa Cai.
