Christmas Tree Lighting at the Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
When you reach 50 somethingish and having lived far from my home country for many years the traditional magic of Christmas tends to fade somewhat. The humdrum of business, meetings, anxiety about getting the next contract finished on time or the upcoming conference augment the faded expression of what I once held dear to my heart as a child.
So now I think we all depend on the children to re-ignite and re-attach that special sense of excitement, warmth and goodwill that comes with the Christmas period. It lies within all our hearts still, yet evermore dormant and challenged to be liberated by the passing of time and the pressures of life.
The Christmas tree lighting at the Grand Millennium Hotel Kuala Lumpur was complimented by a troupe of young chorale singers from Garden International School. Arranged on the stairs in the cavernous lobby next to the beautifully decorated tree, accompanied by piano and conducted by the schools music teacher they sang with charm and humour. Their performance was a delight to behold and truly rejuvenated that special sense of festivity and bonne homme that comes with this time of year.
I thank them one and all for helping me and I am sure all those present to resolder my connections with the traditions of Christmas and magically release that special sense of anticipation and excitement that I so dearly loved during my childhood.
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| Linda Roberts leads the choir with humour and passion. |
It should be noted that this wonderful evening organized by the staff of The Grand Millenium Hotel had a special charity activity associated with it. As the children were singing, every guest was given a golden star — with the cancer patient’s name, gender and age printed on it, to be hung on the Christmas tree.
Everyone was encouraged to pick a golden star, buy a gift, stick the star on the gift and place it at the foot of the tree. Come 20th December, Grand Millennium staff will collect all the gifts and present them to the children at the General Hospital Kuala Lumpur Cancer Pediatric Ward. It is hoped that those less fortunate than ourselves will also be able to enjoy the goodwill of the Christmas spirit.
Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur
160 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia