Eat, drink and be merry... let the Eurasians show you how

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 11 — The Eurasian community in Penang may be small but it is one that is close-knit and proud of its heritage especially when it comes to food and music.

The Eurasian Fiesta brings together the two; traditional Eurasian fare will be sold while performances by Eurasian bands and dances are held at the event.

This is the third year the Eurasian Fiesta is being held, in conjunction with the annual George Town Festival, to showcase Eurasian cuisine, music and culture.

It is the brainchild of James Rozells, of The Rozells fame, to celebrate the unique history of the Eurasian community who are descendants of marriages between locals and the Portuguese, English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Germans and other Europeans.

“The Eurasian community is not very entrepreneurial so it is not easy to find Eurasian food outside except during Christmas parties in Eurasian homes. That’s the reason why I thought of having an event so that people can get a taste of authentic Eurasian food and also to enjoy our music, “ Rozells said.

The first ever Eurasian Fiesta was held in 2012 to resounding success and since then, it has become a permanent fixture at the month-long George Town Festival.

“Eurasian food is different in the sense that it is a marriage of European and local flavours so we have dishes like the fiery devil curry or colonial favourites like corned beef stew,” he said.

This is also an event for the Eurasian community in Penang and Malaysia to get together and renew old ties.

“Last year, we saw more than 5,000 people turn up for the event so we hope to see more this year,” he said.

There will be over 40 stalls, including 30 food stalls, this year and the entertainment lined includes performances by three generations of top Malaysian Eurasian performers.

“Eurasian entertainers have played an important and influential role in the country’s musical evolution especially from the 1950s,” Rozells, who is also a veteran entertainer, said.

In Penang, the likes of Jimmy Boyle, Larry Rodrigues, Joe Rozells, Rudy and George Baum, Kathleen Rodrigues, the Rozells, the Scullys and the Jeremiahs all have made their mark in the music scene here, he added.

This year’s fiesta promises an evening of entertainment by Eurasian artistes like John Silva from Singapore, The Reminescenes from Johore, Don Beins, Finian Lowe, Tres Cambrados from Malacca and Brian Duorado from Ipoh.

“Penang Eurasian bands such as Volatile, Somebody Who featuring Christopher Estrop and Jonathan Scully, Endangered Species and Darrin Rozells will be performing that day,” Rozells said.

There will also be Eurasian cultural and modern dances to represent the Portuguese, Dutch, English, European and Asian Eurasian communities.

Last year, a “Blue Ribbon Sugee Cake Contest” was held where a panel of judges chose the best sugee cake out of 10 contestants and this year, there will be another bake-off contest.

“This year, it is a ‘Blue Ribbon Eurasian Pineapple Jam Tarts’ contest to look for the best pineapple jam tarts,” he said.

The Euraisan Fiesta will be held on this Sunday between 6pm and 11pm at the Moral Uplifting Society Building in Macalister Road.

On Saturday, there will also be an Eurasian Forum “The Penang Eurasians - Challenges for the Future” at Nazarabu Bistro in Malay Street between 5pm and 7.30pm.

For more details about the fiesta, go to www.eurasianfiesta.com and for a list of GTF 2014 programmes, go to www.georgetownfestival.com.