IWAKL was invited to set up a table at the “The International Art of Table Setting Exhibition” , the event organised by PERWAKILAN (the first ladies association founded in the Malaysian public service) on 21-22 February 2012 at the National Visual Arts Gallery in Kuala Lumpur. The purpose of this event was to display the various forms of table setting from different countries along with the creativity and the cultural background behind each setting.

Congratulations and thank you to team IWAKL, Susan Nelson, Hanne Poulsen, Jessika Froiland and our President Shakilah Meraslam for organising and setting a great table and being such wonderful representatives of IWAKL. This was especially significant as it was our own Patron, who as Patron of Perwakilan, opened the event and gave an address.

The theme “East meets West” was an inspired choice by the team, having a combination of eastern and western place settings, and using dishes, cutlery and table linen sourced only from Members’ and the team’s own homes. As a result there were items representing Denmark, Finland, Japan, UK, Thailand, China, Malaysia and Russia. It really represented the diversity of IWAKL.

Thanks also to Sunny for her chopsticks stand which drew much attention and Natalia for her Russian table linen and Egyptian napkin rings. The only items purchased, were the candles, fresh fruit and flowers.

We were very fortunate to have Susan’s talents as a flower arranger as she created a stunning green and white western style arrangement in a Chinese bowl, so the table was truly a complete IWAKL effort. The table was in fact the subject of much interest and received many favorable comments.

Several of the tables were attended by representatives in national dress and our multinational team of Hanne, Jessika, Susan and Shakilah, also made us proud. In particular on the second day, Jessika’s very special national costume was a catalyst for much discussion, about Finland and the IWAKL.

The exhibition had 16 tables from a variety of countries and organistaions drawn from Perwakilan, foreign embassies, the National Visual Arts Gallery, the ex -ambassadors wives group, the hotel industry and, of course, IWAKL.

It showed off the extraordinary diversity of our international customs food and eating etiquettes, with tables set for tea, a formal and a VERY formal dinner, a family lunch, a friends get together, a children’s party

It was a fascinating insight into the different ways and reasons we gather together to eat, and an opportunity to share ideas and to meet some very interesting people from our mixed community, representing the tables and visiting.

Even the young hospitality students came away impressed.

There was also a small bazaar set up in the foyer selling crafts from various countries. The event was open to the public and diplomatic and expatriate communities and was aimed to raise money for a number of charities.

Hope you enjoy the great photos