Some 180 participants from 12 countries are currently taking part in the 1st Asia Pacific Youth Folklore Festival 2023, which is being hosted by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). The event was officially launched by Anfaal Saari, the exco for Selangor Women and Family Development, Welfare and Care Economy, at Petaling Jaya Civic Centre on Saturday (Sept 23) morning. Both Laman MBPJ and PJ Civic Centre are currently serving as the venues for the festival, which will conclude on Sunday (Sept 24) night with a concert followed by a fireworks display in Laman MBPJ.
Back in 2015, the Selangor State declared Petaling Jaya a City of Arts. Since then, the city has been dedicated to promoting itself as an international cultural and arts tourism destination, with the hosting of the international folklore festival becoming a cultural project between governments. Recognized as an International Cultural Exchange Programme by the Tourism, Culture, and Arts Ministry in 2018, this is the first time Petaling Jaya has been accredited to host the 1st Asia Pacific Youth Folklore Festival 2023 by the International Council of Organisation of Folklore Festival and Folk Arts (CIOFF) Malaysia, a partner of UNESCO.
Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohamad Azhan Md Amir acknowledges the economic opportunities that come with hosting such an event. In addition to cultural shows, there are craft displays, food presentations, and art demonstrations by the participating countries – Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
Anfaal highlights the importance of youth involvement in the arts and mentions that approximately 1,000 students from 27 schools in Petaling Jaya are participating in the career fair related to the arts held in conjunction with the festival. She emphasizes the role of education in shaping the future of these young individuals, as they will be the ones leading the country in the future.
Anfaal also points out that Malaysia’s diversity and harmony of different cultures serve as a tourism attraction that can be utilized to promote Malaysia as a tourism destination.
In addition to the festival, an International Art Conference 2023 was held on Saturday under the theme “Art and the city: Economic, Social, Environmental Transformation Towards Sustainability.” On Sunday, mayors from different countries gathered to exchange ideas and discuss their best practices in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information on the festival’s activities, please visit https://www.mbpj.gov.my/sites/default/files/asia_pacific_youth_folklore_festival_v2.pdf.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
