28/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 28, 2025

6

Students shine in global competition

KUALA LUMPUR: The Gombak Cultural Group from the Gombak District Education Office has once again made history by achieving outstanding success at the World Cup of Folklore Jesolo 2025 in Jesolo, Italy. The joyous news was shared by one of the accompanying teachers, Mira Masmira, via her Facebook page, expressing gratitude for the Malaysian team’s stellar performance in the prestigious competition. The group, comprising students from various schools in the Gombak district, competed in six categories and successfully brought home four championship titles and two runner-up finishes through a variety of traditional and contemporary cultural art performances. Among the championship-winning performances were the Sewang and Kuda Kepang dances in the children’s and youth categories, Silat Tari Inai for the adult category, and a performance titled Balqis – a blend of o Cultural group brings homes four championship titles, two runner-up finishes through traditional, contemporary performances

of its young students. “Our fundraising initiatives include the SK Taman Seri Rembau Dermathon, Staser Fest 2.0 and the upcoming Rembau Rumble Run, scheduled for July 26,” he added. Meanwhile, Mohd ‘Ainuddin said the main objective of participating in the international dance festival is to provide them with meaningful exposure that can shape them into confident, capable and courageous individuals. “I’ve been training them for the past four years, starting from the basics of dance, appreciation of the art form and refining their skills. With the experience and talent they’ve gained, I believe they’re ready to deliver an impressive performance in Paris,” he said. – Bernama Audrey Anna Makeen Abdullah Mus’ab, 12, and Afraa Allyse Manaheel Abdullah Mus’ab, 11, who had only joined the group this year, shine on the international stage. “I never imagined they would have the chance to represent the country on a global stage, let alone return with a win. It’s a truly meaningful experience and a lifelong memory for our whole family,” she said. In 2023, the group was named runner-up at the World Cup of Folklore Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria. The competition, that was held from May 23 to May 26, was organised by the European Association of Folklore Festivals and saw participation from 152 groups worldwide. The World Cup of Folklore is a competitive event part of the Folklore Championship System of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – with the rank of International Championship. It includes local, national, regional, international and continental folklore arts championships. The highest ranking in this championship system is the World Championship of folklore “World Folk”. Due to the hierarchical structure of the championship system, it allows the participants the chance to rank and move to the next stage of the different ranked championships. The system is a modern platform for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, which combines an enhanced competitive start and a high level of performance of the participants.

The Gombak cultural group performing a traditional dance at the competition. – MIRA MASMIRA FACEBOOK PIC

singing and Samrah dance - presented by a mixed group of youth and adults. Meanwhile, the runner-up awards were earned through the Magunatip dance performance in the adult category and the Malaysian Art Dance, which showcased a combination of Chinese dance, zapin and contemporary Inang - in the children and youth

category, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, the mother of two young participants from SK Taman Melawati, Nur Hidayah Jaafar, 38, described her daughters’ success on the international stage as an extraordinary and unexpected experience. She said the pride and gratitude she felt was indescribable upon seeing her daughters

Troupe set to make debut in international dance festival REMBAU: Ten students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Seri Rembau are set to make history as they represent Malaysia at the 35th International Competition and Festival of Folklore Dance and Music “Etoiles de Paris” in Paris, France, from Oct 22 to Oct 31. “SK Taman Seri Rembau has achieved considerable success in numerous cultural competitions. The group has performed before the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, the District Education Office and the Negeri Sembilan Department of Culture and Arts. Shah Rizam, Muhammad Aryan Rizqi Shamshidan, Daris Nufail Rayyan Mohd Yamin, Nur Dhia Nadhirah Abd Latif and Irdina Zafirah Mohd Ilham.

Zulkarnain said the school welcomes financial support from private and corporate sponsors to realise the students’ dream of performing on the international stage. “Potential donors may contact the school for further details. Every gesture of support is deeply appreciated, as the total cost of participation is estimated at RM140,000, covering logistics, costumes and entry fees,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to the parents for their continuous support of the school’s efforts to promote cultural heritage through the talents

“The department first recognised their potential two years ago, and this was later reinforced by the students’ winning the Gold Award at the 2025 National Madani Children’s Dance Competition held in Kuala Lumpur,” he said. The talented students are Erina Az-Zahra Rose Nur Muhammad Hazim, Muhammad Nur Ziqri Mohd Helmy Rizal, Nur Imani Khairunnisa Ahmad Tajudin, Ahmad Redza Yussaini Zamir, Nu’Ayman Aqil Mohd Nashriq, Putri Adila Zulaika

Their dance troupe, known as Seri Baiduri, comprising five boys and five girls, will perform the traditional Inang dance to a classic folk tune, guided by their English teacher and dance instructor Mohd ‘Ainuddin Mohd Ramlan. SK Taman Seri Rembau headmaster Zulkarnain Abd Kadir said this debut participation is not only a source of pride for the school and the state of Negeri Sembilan, but also a significant platform to elevate traditional dance onto the international stage.