TUMPAT: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will continue to dignify the country’s art, culture and heritage in line with the National Culture Policy (DAKEN).
MOTAC deputy secretary-general (Culture) Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff said the country now has several intangible heritage elements recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) such as Mak Yong (2005), Dondang Sayang (2018), Silat (2019), Wangkang Ceremony (2020), Pantun (2020) and Songket (2021).
“MOTAC is taking a serious role to ensure that these elements are preserved and restored over time.
“This is to ensure the future generation also get to see and learn them, as well as ensure continuity of the country’s arts and culture,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Kelate Folk Art Festival (FKRK) 2023 in Pantai Geting, here last night.
The Kelate Folk Art Festival is a programme that highlights the uniqueness of art, culture and traditional heritage of the East Coast community, particularly in Kelantan, through activities such as dance competitions, traditional art performances (dikir barat), Siamese drums and traditional games.
Apart from cultural performances, there are religious lecturers, qasidah performances and azan competitions, held in collaboration with Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) and Yayasan Islam Kelantan (YIK),” he said. – Bernama
