AFA SHOWCASES CULTURAL IDENTITIES, PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING AMONG ASEAN MEMBER STATES

MELAKA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA) which took place at Dataran Pengkalan Rama last night has not only provided a platform to showcase cultural identities but also promoted cooperation and understanding among ASEAN member states.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), in a statement today, said that AFA also serves as a cultural bridge that strengthens ties among ASEAN countries.

“The comprehensive choreography depicted the historical and cultural chronology of ASEAN, incorporating unifying elements from each participating country, making it a captivating performance.

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“A variety of genres, from traditional to contemporary, ensured that each country could express its uniqueness in celebrating unity in diversity,” it said.

The AFA event was coordinated by the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) in collaboration with the Melaka Government in conjunction with the 11th ASEAN Ministers of Culture and Arts (AMCA) Meeting here.

The festival also featured performances by cultural groups from ASEAN member countries, as well as singers from Dialogue Partner Japan and observer country Timor Leste.

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“Adding to the excitement, Malaysia presented a musical titled The Adventure of the Five Brothers, which includes various elements themed around the journey of legendary Malay warriors, Hang Tuah and his four comrades, to each ASEAN country according to their year of membership, to complete a special sculpture.

“In each ASEAN country they visit, there was a special performance from that country, and at the end of the story, the completed sculpture was presented as a symbolic representation of the theme, ASEAN Unity,” it said.

-- BERNAMA