FMA Cultural Evening / Annual Potluck

The annual potluck event is a yearly event for the association. This year, it was held in Arabian Kääntöpaikka and the theme for this event is Cultures. The objective was to showcase the diversity of Malaysian cultures as much as possible across other cultures that may be present during this event. As it was a potluck event, guests were requested to bring a dish, either savoury or sweet to contribute to the table.

As Malaysians being Malaysians, we are very proud of our culture and of our food. The food table was once again filled with a glorious spread of delicious delicacies of both Malaysian and Finnish food (and even a Venezuelan dish!), thanks to our talented guests! THIS is the reason that we gather every time :)

The spread included some Malaysian favourites such as herbal tea eggs, lemon chicken, vegetarian fried noodles, kuih talam, and red bean soup. Other tasty dishes included salmon pie, blueberry pie, karjalanpiirakka (Finnish Carelian rice pie) and Venezuelan arepas.

Of course, Fazer chocolates should be on the table as well! :D

The day started off by welcoming the guests and giving a little insight to one of the major festivals that had just been celebrated in the same week of this event: Deepavali (or Diwali). It is a Hindu festival celebrated largely by the Malaysian Indian community. 

Back in Malaysia, during this day of festival, friends and families will have 'open houses' where they welcome guests to come in to their homes to eat together. You can imagine, there would be glorious spreads of food enough for everyone who will keep coming throughout the day. Decorations are also colourful and elaborate - 'kolam', a form of drawing using coloured rice or rice flour, will be seen on the floors inside the houses, and ladies' hands will also be temporarily 'tattooed' using henna.  

Guest trying on henna.

In keeping the spirit of Deepavali, there was a henna station with samples of henna patterns that guests can play around with if they wish. While in keeping the theme of cultures, there was a small book of 'pantang' (superstitions) that are practised by the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities in Malaysia, for guests to flip through to learn a little bit more about our diverse cultures. 

Guests were also told to bring any small items such as old clothes or small household items for donation to Hope Ry. This event was also aimed to collect charitable items to contribute to the needy.

A game of Pictionary was also played and everyone had fun drawings clues that are relevant to Finnish and Malaysian cultures! Things to draw were like hibiscus, karjalanpiirakka, ice hockey, badminton, KLCC and the Finnish Rock Church. The winning group received prizes courtesy of the Malaysian Embassy in Finland and of Finland-Malaysia Association. Every guest also went home with at least one door gift. 

Pictionary in action!

Guests getting excited to answer.

Winning group receiving prizes from organiser.

It was truly an enjoyable and memorable event for all of us. The organisers would like to thank everyone that came, and everyone that stayed to help with the clean up. We are truly grateful. We cannot wait for our next potluck next year!

If you are interested to know more about our future events please do visit our Up-coming Events page  (http://finland-malaysiaassociation.blogspot.fi/p/up-coming-events-2014.html) or Like our Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Suomi-Malesia-Yhdistys-Finland-Malaysia-Association-307809435918603