By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 7: Traditional Teochew music and opera will once again take centre stage at the Kuching Food Festival as the “Teochew Music and Elegance” concert returns for its third consecutive year on Saturday (Aug 8).
Organised by the Cultural Section of the Kuching Teochew Association and performed by the Kuching Teochew Music Ensemble of the Teo Khiaw Club, the concert will be held from 7pm to 9pm at the MBKS Lake Theatre, offering festivalgoers an opportunity to experience the richness of Teochew cultural heritage.
Building on the success of its performances at the Kuching Festival over the past two years, Teo Khiaw Club said this year’s concert aims to bring traditional Teochew opera and music to a wider audience, allowing the public to gain a deeper appreciation of the unique art forms.
The programme will feature a variety of performances, including excerpts from Teochew opera, large and small Teochew gong and drum ensembles, traditional string music, as well as folk songs and folk music.
Audiences can look forward to powerful percussion performances, elegant string melodies and the distinctive vocal styles of Teochew opera and folk songs in what organisers describe as a musical showcase that blends traditional and contemporary appeal.
According to the organisers, the event serves not only as an entertainment programme but also as an important platform for preserving and promoting traditional culture.
“By appearing on the Kuching Festival stage for the third consecutive year, traditional Teochew opera, music and folk arts are being brought beyond the association hall and into the wider community,” they said in a statement today.
They added that the large-scale public event provides people from different ethnic backgrounds, particularly younger generations, with greater opportunities to learn about, appreciate and engage with traditional Chinese cultural heritage.
The Kuching Teochew Music Ensemble has long been dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional art forms, including Teochew drums, string music, opera and folk songs. Its members continue to devote their time to rehearsals and performances to ensure these cultural traditions remain relevant and continue to be passed on to future generations.
The organisers have invited the public to attend the concert at the Kuching Festival Lake Theatre, where visitors can enjoy traditional music and opera performances while taking in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival.
They said the event offers a chance for audiences to experience how centuries-old traditions can continue to resonate in modern society while supporting ongoing efforts to preserve and develop traditional Chinese culture. — DayakDaily
