Battersea Power Station Presents ‘celebrASIA’: Bringing A Taste Of South East Asia To South West London
Battersea Power Station visitors will embark on a journey through South East Asia at ‘celebrASIA’, a vibrant new festival for London which will take place at the riverside neighbourhood between 13th – 15th September 2024
celebrASIA has been created by Battersea Power Station in collaboration with the ten Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) London Committee to showcase the rich cultural heritage and offer visitors an authentic and immersive experience of the region
From enjoying traditional delicacies from a wide range of renowned chefs, eateries, street food vendors and bars, to playing traditional childhood games, enjoying live performances and learning a new skill at the arts and crafts workshops, the festival will offer something for everyone
Battersea Power Station will offer its visitors the opportunity to experience the wonders of South East Asian culture first hand at the upcoming ‘celebrASIA’ festival, an exciting new event for London, which will be taking place at the riverside neighbourhood between 13th – 15th September 2024.
Battersea Power Station is working closely with the High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a union of 10 countries that promote economic and cultural exchange among its members and with countries around the globe, to showcase the very best of the region.
The festival will be held both inside and outside the iconic Grade II* listed Power Station, which has strong links to the South East Asian region, through the development’s Malaysian owners.
A number of striking decorations will transport festival-goers from London to the South East Asian subcontinent, including elephant sculptures, a traditional kite showcase across Electric Boulevard, the neighbourhood’s pedestrianised high street, hundreds of lanterns hanging under Grosvenor Bridge and immersive Beca and Tuk Tuk installations in Turbine Hall A.
South East Asian cuisines are some of the world’s best, and foodies attending the festival will be in for a treat as renowned chefs, eateries and traditional street food vendors from the region serve up everything from mouth-watering curries and noodle bowls to delicious satays and wraps all with the iconic Battersea Power Station as a backdrop.
Some of London’s finest South East Asian chefs and eateries joining the lineup include Malaysia’s Roti King, who have a permanent restaurant at Battersea Power Station on Arches Lane in Circus West Village, Singapore’s Old Chang Kee, and Budgie Montoya’s APOY, to name a few. Plus, pioneering Filipino hotspot Kasa and Kin will be on hand with delicious ice cream and desserts, alongside drinks courtesy of Singaporean tea and coffee specialists, Kopi House.
There will be festival exclusives including Chick‘N’Sours teaming up with Sambal Shiok’s Mandy Yin and the Rangoon Sisters to bring two collaboration dishes. While London’s only Cambodian culinary offering, Mamapen, are joining forces with The Duck Shed to serve an exciting new menu for the event, alongside classic dishes from the restaurant.
Traditional street food vendors taking part include Eat Lah and Pandan Bakery from Malaysia, Yaay Yaay from Thailand, Makatcha from Indonesia and Hanoi Kitchen from Vietnam. There will also be colourful trucks selling thirst-quenching South East Asian inspired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Inside the Power Station, Turbine Hall B will transform into a bustling Artisan Market, where shoppers can browse and shop must-haves from sauces, spices and snacks, to jewellery, homewares and accessories from across South East Asia.
In Turbine Hall A, those keen to put their creative skills to the test will find an Arts and Crafts Workshop, where bookable sessions will run across Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can learn how to craft a personalised pewter dish at Malaysian pewter specialists Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks, whose master craftsmen are brought to London especially and the brand also has a permanent store inside the London landmark. They can also make a lantern for the upcoming Mooncake Festival or create a beautiful piece for their home using the Malaysian art of Batik.
For children there’s free-of-charge face painting and art activities to enjoy throughout the weekend, as well as bookable craft sessions from shadow puppet and lantern making to ketupat weaving and Sarimanok paper layering.
Families and little ones can also learn about the South East Asian countries through the interactive ‘Grand Tour’, which will give mini explorers the opportunity to seek out information boards dotted around the Power Station and test themselves with a fun quiz, ending their journey at an ‘Arrivals Desk’ where they will get their souvenir passport stamped.
On the outdoor stage in Power Station Park, visitors can expect an unforgettable DJ line-up on Friday and Saturday evening, with live sets from Half East Records headed up by Deejay Nye from the Philippines. There will also be live traditional dances, orchestras and other pop-up performances across the neighbourhood throughout the weekend including a performance from the Battersea Power Station Community Choir.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Square will host the ASEAN Games, where visitors can participate in traditional childhood games from the from different countries, including Malaysian ‘Tuju Selipar’ (shoe throwing), Filipino ‘Tumbang preso’ (tin can throwing), Vietnamese ‘Meo Duoi Chuot’ (cat and mouse) and many more games played by children in Brunei, Cambodia, Lao and the other South East Asian countries.
CelebrASIA key information:
● Street food – Friday 13th (11am – 9pm), Saturday 14th September (10am – 9pm) and Sunday 15th September (11am – 6pm)
● Indoor market – Friday 13th and Saturday 14th (10am – 8pm) and Sunday 15th September (11am – 6pm)
● Childrens activities and games – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September (10am – 5pm)
● Arts and crafts sessions – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September (10am – 5pm)
● Stage performances – Friday 13th (DJs 5pm – 9pm), Saturday 14th (11am – 9pm) and Sunday 15th September (11am – 6pm)
Tan Sri Jagan Sabapathy, Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, said:
“London is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, its diversity is what makes it truly unique and special. celebrASIA is an opportunity for the local and wider London community to come together to celebrate and learn more about the rich tapestry of colours, flavours, sounds and traditions that make up the culture and heritage of countries from South East Asia. We’re delighted to be partnering with the ASEAN High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the ten embassies to create celebrASIA, which will surely be an exciting new cultural event for London at Battersea Power Station.”
Travelling to Battersea Power Station for celebrASIA couldn’t be easier with the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground station bringing the riverside neighbourhood within 15 minutes of the West End and the City. Battersea Power Station also has its very own Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier and is a 15- minute journey from Embankment, 20 minutes from Blackfriars, 30 minutes from Putney and 40 minutes from Canary Wharf. The riverside neighbourhood is easily accessible by bus, bike, car and train too.
To discover more about celebrASIA at Battersea Power Station, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/celebrasia/