This year’s Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival featured some very interesting kites! — THOMAS YONG/The Star
For octogenarian Lee Poi Long, going on holiday to attend kite festivals is not unusual at all. He loved flying the kite when he was a child, and it even became part of his job back when he was still working with the South-East Johor Development Authority (Kejora).
“Kiting was my favourite childhood pastime, and I intend to keep it alive,” said Lee in an interview.
As a kid, Lee spent most of his free time playing and making kites. He kept up with this hobby even in adulthood, which turned out to be beneficial for him in his working life: In 1988, he was given the opportunity to organise a kite festival for a private resort in Johor’s coastal holiday town, Desaru.
The event was successful, and to reward him, he was sent to his first international kite festival in Bali, Indonesia. “It was actually a study tour to learn more about kite festivals,” Lee shared, adding that after that first trip, he started attending other kite festivals around the world on his own. Some of the festivals he’s gone to were held in France, China, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as in numerous Asean countries.
Lee enjoying himself at the Kelantan Kite Festival five years ago. — LEE POI LONG
Lee is also a frequent visitor of the Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival in Johor, one of Malaysia’s most popular kite festivals that celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year. Of course, there are also kite festivals held in Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu, which are known for the traditional kite, the wau.
While some people think that interest in kiting has waned over the decades, Lee thinks it is the opposite. “There are still many around the world that embrace the traditional pastime of kiting. And I think that one good way to preserve it is to keep on organising these kite festivals. In doing so, we create a door for others to learn about kites and the traditions and cultures that are attached to the activity.
“For instance, there’s now a growing demand for our traditional wau from kite enthusiasts worldwide. It’s so unique because the motifs and patterns of the wau are carved out with a knife. People are actually willing to spend a lot of money on a wau,” he said.
If you are interested in attending your first kite festival, here are some suggestions.
Fish-shaped bebean kites and other uniquely designed creations seen at a past Bali Kite Festival. — RARIOJ/Wikimedia Commons
Bali Kite Festival
The Bali Kite Festival in Indonesia is a month-long event that’s held in the Sanur area, from July to August each year. Various competitions will be held during the festival, mainly involving kiters showcasing their amazing handmade kites, as well as their knowledge in kite flying. You can also learn about Indonesia’s traditional kites, like the “bebean” the “janggan”.
The bebean resembles a fish, and is the largest traditional kite in Indonesia. The design has a broad mouth and a split tail. The janggan, on the other hand, is shaped like a dragon, with a cloth tail spanning over 100m in length. The dragon design is evidence of Bali’s Hindu influence, as it is inspired by a mythical being called Naga Basuki.
Normally, during the festival, live gamelan music will be played too to accompany the kite-flying sessions.
Festival Of The Winds
The Festival Of The Winds is held in New South Wales, Australia every September, at the beginning of the spring season. It is one of Sydney’s major events, and has been happening since 1978.
The festival takes place at the city’s famous Bondi Beach, with participants showing off their quirky kite creations and kite-flying skills.
The festival is said to attract more than 50,000 visitors each year.
Dieppe International Kite Festival
Every two years, the coastal town of Dieppe in Normandy, France turns into a massive playground for kite enthusiasts. For nearly two weeks in September, the Dieppe International Kite Festival becomes an avenue for showcasing artistic flair, both in the making and flying of kites.
From workshops and cultural performances to watching colourful kites soaring in the sky, visitors will experience activities galore at the event.
Last year’s festival, which carried the theme “The Planet, included a parade in which people came dressed up in their traditional attire and holding their colourful kites. According to the festival’s official website, the theme was coined as an effort to raise awareness for environmental protection. Kites made of recycled materials were also seen taking flight.
Portsmouth International Kite Festival
One of the biggest kite festivals in the world will be held in Portsmouth, England in July. The Portsmouth International Kite Festival will take place from July 29 to 30 at the Southsea Common Park.
Among the activities lined up for the upcoming festival include artistic kite displays, a synchronised multi-line kite “ballet” session featuring European and British championship winners, and a display of Japanese fighting kites.
This festival has been around for 30 years.
The Gujarat International Kite Festival is a big deal in India. — AP
Gujarat International Kite Festival
The Gujarat International Kite Festival or Uttarayan is held annually in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is considered one of the most important festivals in Gujarat, with preparations for the event beginning months in advance.
In fact, it is so major that the state even declared one of the days in the week-long event a public holiday.
The Gujarat International Kite Festival typically marks the end of winter in the state, and the start of the new harvest season in January. Locals hold the festival to celebrate the past year’s bounty, and pray for a continued healthy harvest in the coming season.
This year’s festival saw participants, kite flyers and spectators from over 68 countries gracing the event.
Weifang International Kite Festival
The Weifang International Kite Festival in China’s Shandong Province has been around for over 40 years, but Weifang itself has a long history of kite making and manufacturing. Today, it is reported that about 70% of the world’s kites originate from companies in Weifang.
It is also said that Weifang is the “birthplace” of the kite, and you can find out more about this at the city’s Weifang World Kite Museum if you decide to check out the festival, which is usually held over a few weeks from April to May.
A traditional kite from Weifang is made from bamboo and paper or silk, and features Chinese paintings. In 2006, Weifang kites were added to China’s intangible cultural heritage list.
The Blossom Kite Festival at Washington D.C. celebrates the start of the spring season. — S. PAKHRIN/Wikimedia Commons
Blossom Kite Festival
In Washington D.C. in the United States, the arrival of spring is celebrated with a kite festival. Formerly called the Smithsonian Kite Festival, today it’s more popularly known as the Blossom Kite Festival.
The festival started in 1967 by Paul E. Garber, the first curator of the Smithsonian Air Museum. Hordes of kite enthusiasts are said to visit the National Monument Grounds in the city, where the event typically takes place between March and April each year.
Borneo International Kite Festival
Closer to home is the 16th Borneo Internatinal Kite Festival, which will be held in Bintulu, Sarawak this year. According to the official website (https://borneokites.com/), the festival will be held from Sept 27 to Oct 1 at the Bintulu Old Airport.
As many as 145 participants from 34 countries are expected to join in the festivities this time around, and this will also include local participants.
Apart from the competition, other activities such as cultural performances and wau-making workshops will also be held during the festival.
The event was first held in 2005, and has been steadily growing in size and popularity over the years. It was last held in 2019, before Covid-19 hit.
