By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 27: The future of ASEAN’s rich cultural fabric took centre stage in Kuala Lumpur as the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BoAPA) 2025 officially kicks off.
Themed “ASEAN Cultural Seed: Nurturing Cultural Leaders,” the week-long regional exchange beginning on Oct 22 to Oct 29 at Auditorium Seri Angkasa, Angkasapuri, is all about empowering the next generation of creative talents.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), in collaboration with Jabatan Penyiaran Malaysia (RTM) and Pertubuhan Anak Seni Malaysia (PASM), BoAPA 2025 has gathered 22 young artists, aged 7 to 13, from across Southeast Asia for an immersive programme.
This initiative is a vital effort to celebrate and strengthen the region’s shared cultural heritage among its youth.
Representing the Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, MOTAC minister, deputy secretary general (culture) Dato’ Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Yusoff officiated the opening ceremony.
“Cultural diversity, heritage and artistic expression help address the root causes of conflict and foster healing and reconciliation, especially at the community and grassroots level.
“Through initiatives such as BoAPA, cultural legacies can be safeguarded and continue to evolve, particularly amongst children and youth,” he said during his opening remarks.
Yusri also pointed out the significant economic potential of cultural tourism, particularly the booming concert and music tourism sector, which has become a key driver for Malaysia’s tourism industry.
BoAPA 2025 is a regional initiative designed to nurture and empower the next generation of ASEAN by promoting the ASEAN cultural talents. The programme aims to foster creativity, deepen appreciation of ASEAN’s rich and diverse heritage and strengthen ASEAN identity among youth.
This year’s edition features 6-days intensive skill-building workshop in performing arts, showcasing a vibrant mix of traditional dance, music and contemporary interpretations of ASEAN culture.
The young participants of this creative exchange programme can further develop artistic skills, cultural awareness and leadership potential.
The programme also included intensive workshops in dance, music and creative expression, which culminated in a showcase performance featuring contemporary interpretations of ASEAN’s shared cultural identity.
At the grand finale, the young ASEAN talents will perform at the 47th ASEAN Summit Gala Dinner, where they will be presenting a collaborative performance symbolising ASEAN unity and friendship.
Through this platform, MOTAC continues to champion efforts under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar, highlighting Malaysia’s leadership in advancing regional cultural cooperation, creativity, and sustainable cultural development.
In line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI, MOTAC remains committed to upholding and elevating the arts, culture and heritage sectors of Malaysia as well as the ASEAN region onto the international stage to achieve greater recognition in conjunction with Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025.
For more information on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) programmes and Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 events, please visit: https://ascc2025.motac.gov.my/ —DayakDaily
