SET against a backdrop of lively and entertaining performances – the centrepiece being an uproarious Ronggeng Melayu dance – last night Think City and DBKL brought to life the Pentas Seni Merdeka programme.
Attended by Malaysians from all walks of life as well as a host of dignitaries, such as Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah and Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, the inaugural edition of the event was the first, with four more editions to come in the coming months.
The show took place in Jalan Raja, against the iconic backdrop of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Panggung Bandaraya and Bangunan Mahkamah Tinggi. The skies were clear – though it was quite humid – perfect for a night of merriment.
“There is a compelling case that creative and cultural activities and infrastructure are essential in creating a more vibrant city. Not only does it bring people together, but such content also sparks partnerships and dialogue, fuels local economies and encourages the transformation of a city.
“Hence, DBKL is actively reactivating Kuala Lumpur with key partners like Think City in one of their many efforts like Pentas Seni Merdeka post-pandemic, and hopes to see more collaborative efforts implemented to make our public spaces welcoming to and representative of Malaysians of all backgrounds,” said Mahadi.
Last night’s Pentas Seni Merdeka featured the Ronggeng Melayu dance and art form which was workshopped and curated by Nusantara Performing Arts Research Center (NusPARC). The event also featured performances from the DBKL Combo & Cultural Artists, terrarium-making workshops, local snacks shop, food trucks and more.
This is the latest step in the city’s strategy to revitalise the city centre that had declined as the rest of the city grew. Over the last decade, various efforts have been undertaken by the government and the private sector.
Among those efforts are projects such as the River of Life, all manner of mass transit infrastructure and connections and more. DBKL is collaborating with Think City to support the renewal and regeneration of Downtown KL.
“Great public spaces happen through community-driven placemaking. These great places are the foundation of great communities, which in turn are the building blocks of a prosperous, equitable and resilient society. They’re a place where people meet and socialise.
“Part of making magnetic public spaces is through the integration of creative and cultural content. Studies show that investments in such content can improve street safety, provide tourism and jobs, and more,” said managing director of Think City, Hamdan Abdul Majeed.
The historic area around Dataran Merdeka has been restored with an eye to making it friendly to pedestrians, as well as tourists. There are upgraded walkways, greening efforts and improved amenities and services.
Pentas Seni Merdeka is a monthly, free, public arts initiative aimed at increasing social equity through public space activation and further positioning Downtown KL to become a creative and cultural district.
The next editions of Pentas Seni Merdeka will be held on every second Saturday of the month at Jalan Raja. The second edition is slated to be held on September 10, followed by subsequent editions on October 8, November 12 and December 10. Each edition will feature different traditional Malaysian art forms and experiences. – The Vibes, July 17, 2022
