As the KL Festival comes to a close, non-KL residents too get to enjoy some fun in the sun.
For the first time, Kuantan is hosting their very own arts festival from June 12 to 14th around Jalan Besar. Known as the Kuantan Arts Festival (KuArts) and organised by the KuArts Collective — a collaboration between local creative communities and spaces including Cempaka Sessions, Pasar Sera, Hock Bee, Studio Belatuk and Blok 56, the festival aims to show the cultural side of Kuantan that many have not seen before. And unlike massive commercial festivals, KuArts is currently fully independent and self-funded, powered by community effort and support from private patrons.
From upcycling to hands-on theatre, KuArts has a variety of workshops to engage participants. For those who prefer theory, there are seminars and projection mappings hosting intellectual discussions as well as interactive art showcases. Film screenings will be hosted, such as Year Without a Summer and Lé Jeu: La Julia, and even theatrical performances such as Secotek Cerita, a monologue showcase on human resilience. The Pasar Sera bazaar will also be present as one of Kuantan’s well-known creative markets for those looking to purchase hand-crafted items.
That’s not all. Indie bands like husband-and-wife duo Satwo, The Impatient Sisters, a trio of siblings from Kuantan, Pahang, and even alt-rock band Bruh will be performing at the festival, highlighting local talent. Beyond the performances and exhibitions, the festival also hopes to encourage more cultural exchange, creative collaborations, and support for local independent businesses.
With this and the KL Festival, Malaysians can enjoy the local arts scene in a fun and educational manner. For more details, check out more about the festival here and on their Instagram. Anyone who is interested in being a part of KuArts, be it collaborating, participating, volunteering, sponsoring, or contributing, you can reach out to them at [email protected].
