A feast of Southeast Asian culture is set to take over London.
CelebrASIA, a free festival returning to Battersea Power Station from September 5 to 7, will bring the sights, sounds and flavours of Southeast Asia to the capital with food, live performances and immersive experiences.
Now in its second year, the festival is a collaboration between Battersea Power Station and the High Commissions and Embassies of the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries in London.
Sam Cotton, interim chief executive at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: "We’re beyond delighted to bring back celebrASIA after hosting an extremely successful and busy inaugural festival last year.
"We’re proud to continue collaborating with the High Commission and Embassies of the 10 member countries of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in London to create an event which gives our visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the region.
"This year’s celebrASIA is bigger and better and I have no doubt it will continue to cement itself as a must-visit cultural festival in London for years to come, thanks to the incredible South East Asian representatives and communities taking part."
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The festival will take place both inside and around the Grade II* listed Power Station, which has strong ties to Southeast Asia through its Malaysian ownership.
The riverside neighbourhood will be transformed with colourful decorations, including a traditional kite display on Electric Boulevard and hundreds of lanterns hanging beneath Grosvenor Bridge.
A major highlight of this year’s festival is the new Feasting Tent, offering long-table dining experiences along the Thames. Each day will feature a different chef serving a four-course, fire-cooked menu.
Budgie Montaya from Filipino pop-ups APOY and Sarap will take over on Friday, Abby Lee from Malaysian eatery Mambow on Saturday, and John and Desiree Chantarasak from Michelin-starred AngloThai on Sunday.
Elsewhere, 29 of London’s best Southeast Asian chefs and street food vendors will bring flavours from across the region.
Returning favourites include Chick ‘n’ Sours, collaborating once again with Mandy Yin’s Sambal Shiok to serve their celebrASIA-exclusive chicken satay burger.
Other vendors include Malaysia’s Eat Lah and Sueperlicious, the Philippines’ Kasa & Kin, Singapore’s Old Chang Kee, Vietnam’s Nha Trang Kitchen, and Thailand’s Khanom Krok.
The festival will also feature a Tarsier Gin x El Pinoy spirits bar and the Singha Beer Bus.
More than 30 independent traders will take part in the Artisan Market inside the Power Station’s historic Turbine Halls, offering snacks, sauces, spices, jewellery, homeware and accessories.
Additional attractions include craft workshops, performances, games and activities for all ages.
Visitors can take part in Batik home decor masterclasses, Sarawak-style beadwork and basketry sessions, and the Royal Selangor School of Hard Knocks – where master craftsmen from Malaysia will guide guests in creating personalised pewter dishes.
There will also be children’s sessions in shadow puppet-making, storytelling, tile decorating and lantern-making.
Malaysia Square will host the Southeast Asian Games, featuring traditional childhood games from across the region.
On Saturday, British-Malaysian breaker and festival ambassador B-Boy Sunni will host a breaking masterclass for eight to 16-year-olds.
Live entertainment will take place on the main stage in Power Station Park, hosted by Vietnamese-American broadcaster William Lee Adams.
Performances will include the Indonesian Angklung Orchestra, the Filipino Lahing Kayumanggi dance troupe, and the Battersea Power Station Community Choir.
