KUCHING: Dayang Mariana Abang Bil Hassan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Arts Council, emphasised the importance for the younger generation to acquaint themselves with, understand, and preserve the rich arts, heritage, and culture of Sarawak.
She added that Sarawak’s heritage and culture are integral parts of the identity of its people.
“Regardless of your race, make sure you learn, understand, and love our arts and culture. If not us, then who? Without awareness and appreciation for our arts and culture, we risk losing our identity.
“Our arts and culture are incredibly rich, and we should proudly showcase their beauty to the world,” she said during ‘Ngelakar Seni Premium’ seminar at Hikmah Exchange here yesterday (Nov 17).
“Once we grasp the essence of our arts and culture, it is our responsibility to preserve and pass it on to future generations. I urge adults to educate children about Sarawak’s arts and instil a sense of pride in them.”
In a related perspective, Datuk Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah, the president of the Sarawak P Ramlee Fan Club, highlighted the necessity for a balanced approach to developing Sarawak economically, with due consideration for the development of arts, culture, and humanity.
“Economic development must be balanced with the development of arts, culture, and humanity to ensure holistic progress. All mentioned developments should be systematically planned, taking into account the multiracial nature of our state.”
He further advocated for a harmonious “marriage” between tradition and modernization, creating a platform that allows Sarawak to progress while preserving its cultural identity.
The seminar also featured photographer Dr Kalim Salem, University Malaysia Sabah lecturer Suhaimi Magi, and other distinguished guests.
