Blending in: Pecocari performing with members of the Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association at Lorong Seni. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: A Switzerland native made heads turn when he took part in a Chinese drum performance during the opening of the Chinese New Year bazaar in Lorong Seni here.Roberto Pecorari, 56, from Aargau, did not miss a beat and kept in synch with his fellow performers from the Ipoh Chinese Chin Woo Athletic Association (Ipoh Chin Woo) during the opening ceremony by Perak tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee yesterday.
After the performance, Pecorari, a member of the Swiss Chin-Woo Kung-Fu Athletic Association (Chin Woo Switzerland), said he was invited by Ipoh Chin Woo to perform here.
“I learned to play Chinese drums before the Covid-19 pandemic. Having no background in music performances, it was not easy to follow the rhythm,” said the IT support worker.
“Ever since I got the invitation last year, I practised more,” he said, adding that he arrived here on Jan 11 and will return to Switzerland tomorrow.
Pecorari has been a member of Chin Woo Switzerland since 2004.
“When I was young, I learned karate. I wanted to learn martial arts and that was how I joined Chin Woo and trained under Grandmaster Chow Kok Yeng,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loh said there were plans to develop and expand the tourism area in the city’s Old Town area.
He said the current Old Town area, which is popular with tourists, was small as it was around Panglima Lane or Concubine Lane. The state government and the Ipoh City Council are working to decentralise it.
“We want to do things systematically and not have all tourists in one place. We are now trying to move some activities to Lorong Seni.
“When we plan, we need to look at the impact to the area. The Old Town still has a lot of offices, and there could be problems if all activities are focused there.
“Expanding the tourism area to other areas makes it easier to manage,” he told a press conference.
Loh said the Paloh Commercial Arch was launched on Friday, and it would be another area for tourists.
“We have the Gerbang Malam night bazaar and the Little India Arch, so now all three major races have their respective commercial and tourism areas,” he added.
Also present was Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
