01/05/2026

FRIDAY | MAY 1, 2026

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LYFE

A light installation at Warung Terang.

A FTER dark, the laneways of Downtown Kuala Lumpur will take on a different rhythm as Warung Terang brings projection mapping out of large-scale building facades into a mobile, artist-led experience. Unfolding from May 8 to 17, six artworks will move across locations, including Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Jalan Sang Guna, Telekom Museum and River of Life, inviting the public to explore light, sound and cultural stories up close as the experience appears, shifts and re-emerges across the city. Warung Terang is developed by Filamen as an ongoing exploration of how contemporary digital art can exist freely within the city, moving beyond fixed installations into formats that invite closer interaction between the public, the artworks and artists. With support from Think City, Warung Terang is one of the programmes under the KL Fest. The initiative also seeks to draw audiences back into overlooked urban spaces, reactivating areas that often fade after dark. Guided by the theme of pasar , Warung Terang takes cues from Southeast Asia’s marketplaces – places defined not just by goods but by the constant exchange of ideas, conversations and cultural encounters. When behind-the-scenes meet the streets Taking place over two weekends, Warung Terang brings together daytime workshops and evening street activations, where projection mapping comes alive alongside Reavang – an open platform for artists and creatives to experiment with visuals and sound in a live urban setting. As night sets in, Downtown KL shifts into pockets of colour, sound and activities, encouraging people to slow down, walk through the city and rediscover spaces they would A visitor is immersed in the artwork.

Participants learning projection mapping in a workshop.

Warung Terang is developed by Filamen as an ongoing exploration of how contemporary art can exist freely within the city. Downtown Kuala Lumpur embraces light at night

o Warung Terang turns laneways into living pasar of stunning visuals, artistic conversations

collectives and artists featuring The Fox, The Folks, Story of Karana and Hue, drawing from the lived experiences and everyday exchanges found in the marketplace, where stories will be reimagined through light, visuals, audio and live interaction. KL Fest runs from May 6 to 31 across Downtown Kuala Lumpur, activating heritage buildings, streets and public spaces through more than 80 events and over 700 hours of programming – the majority of which are free to the public. Organised by Think City in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall, supported by the Finance

normally Artists remain on-site, allowing visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look, have conversations and engage directly with the work as it happens – breaking the usual distance between projection mapping and audience. The inaugural edition of Warung Terang brings together Southeast Asian artists, including Fairuz Sulaiman of Sekolah Main Wayang (Malaysia), known for blending traditional storytelling with contemporary media, visual collective Fonetikar (Malaysia), multimedia artist Tan Ji Kean (Malaysia) and Indonesian pass by.

Warung Terang brings street activations to life in the evening.

Ministry and the Federal Territories Department, the festival forms part of a broader effort to reimagine the city through culture, with activations such as Warung Terang bringing audiences closer to the

streets through more intimate, ground-level encounters. The festival is held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, Warisan KL and Kuala Lumpur’s designation as a Unesco Creative City of Design.

Malaysian travellers prioritising value in 2026 trips VALUE is emerging as an important factor in how Malaysians travel in 2026, influencing everything from accommodation choices to destination planning. while 59% say price is the single most important factor when choosing where to stay. This reinforces how value is not only influencing openness to discover alternative destinations, but also shaping spending decisions. four to six trips over the year. The most common trip length is four to seven days (42%), reflecting a shift towards travel that is more manageable, cost-conscious and easier to fit into everyday life. Relaxation, family, food continue to shape travel plans

According to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, 63% of travellers are willing to consider lesser-known destinations if it means lower costs, signalling a shift towards more intentional and cost-conscious travel behaviour. The findings also highlight how this value-driven mindset is reflected in spending habits and destination choices. Malaysian travellers are showing a clear preference for travel that delivers value without losing sight of the overall experience. Nearly two-thirds (64%) expect to spend US$50 (RM198) or less per night on accommodation in 2026,

Beyond spending considerations, the findings also point to a shift in how Malaysians are planning their trips and what they prioritise when they travel. Local, frequent travel remain part of picture Malaysian travellers are also adjusting how often and how far they travel, as value-driven decisions make shorter, more frequent and closer-to-home trips more appealing. Some 47% expect most of their trips in 2026 to be domestic, while 37% plan to take

Even with affordability front of mind, Malaysians are still prioritising the experiences they value most. Relaxation is the top reason Malaysians expect to travel in 2026, cited by 69% of respondents. Culinary experiences follow at 33%, highlighting the continued role food plays in destination appeal. Travel also remains deeply social, with 59% saying they plan to travel with family, while 28% expect to travel with their spouse or partner.

Most travellers are willing to consider lesser-known destinations, such as Besut, Terengganu, if it means lower costs.