KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Kelantan’s traditional arts took centre stage on the sixtieth Malaysia Day celebration and ninetieth Armed Forces Day Reception in the US simply two days in the past.
During the celebration on the Malaysian embassy in Washington D.C., senior diplomats from world wide had been handled to a showcase of Kelantan tradition.
Malaysia’s ambassador to the US, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, curated the showcase dubbed “Sounds and Soul of the East Coast”, which featured Mak Yong, Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry), Tari Inai, Silat Jawi, Dikir Barat and Main Teri (which mixes parts of dance, music, trance and ritual to heal these having emotional or non secular misery).
“The undeniable fact that the crescendo of the efficiency right here in Washington was a therapeutic ceremony comes at a quite opportune second. We are at a time in the world when greater than ever we’d like therapeutic, and acts of aggression of all types, and from all sides, should stop,” Nazri mentioned.
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Nazri, who can also be a former minister for tourism and tradition, highlighted the significance of tradition, saying: “Culture performs a pivotal function in diplomacy, serving as a bridge that fosters understanding and connection between nations. Customs and traditions are highly effective instruments that allow us to delve deeper into the essence of various cultures, finally resulting in a greater grasp of their individuals.”
He added that the total vary of Kelantanese performances ought to obtain United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognition to make sure they’re preserved for future generations.
Currently, UNESCO recognises Mak Yong theatre as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, whereas Wayang Kulit doesn’t have such recognition.
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At the occasion, the visitor of honour, US Department of State’s Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, spoke of the enduring bonds of friendship between US and Malaysia.
“Malaysia has an necessary function to play the world over in rising regional and international peace and safety, and the United States stays dedicated, completely dedicated to our long-standing relationship and friendship with Malaysia and the friendship between the American and Malaysian peoples,” he mentioned.
On the cultural showcase, he mentioned: “I used to be fairly moved. I’d by no means seen something fairly prefer it. It was lovely, transferring and thrilling. This is a fantastic custom and information that I hope is protected and passed-down, and I’m so grateful that you just shared it with us.”
The performances in Washington D.C. had been offered by family-run Malaysian cultural arts group Geng Wak Long.
Known for selling Kelantan’s cultural heritage, Geng Wak Long is led by its founder Kamrulbahri Hussin and options consultants from the National Academy of Arts and Heritage (Aswara) and Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) College of Creative Arts.
Geng Wak Long will likely be acting at three different occasions in the US this month, specifically on the Engage Malaysia Tourism occasion on October 25 at Rumah Malaysia (Residence), the sixtieth Anniversary Dinner Gala Malaysia-America Cooperation on Education Exchange (Macee) on October 27 on the embassy’s Tun Hussein Hall in Washington D.C., and the Asean joint cultural programme on October 30 on the US State Department.
