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Tag: #CulturalHeritage

HONOR Celebrates Malaysia’s Rich Cultural Diversity Through Smartphone Photography Exhibition at Visit Malaysia 2026 Arts & Culture Showcase

HONOR invites the public to explore Malaysia’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry through a smartphone photography gallery exhibition held at Fahrenheit88, Bukit Bintang. Organised in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 Arts and Culture Showcase running from 27 to 31 December, the exhibition presents a visual celebration of the nation’s heritage, iconic landmarks, traditional cuisine, and native wildlife. Through carefully curated imagery, visitors are taken on a journey that reflects the colours, textures and vibrant spirit of Malaysia.

All photographs on display are captured exclusively using the HONOR Magic8 Pro, showcasing the device’s powerful flagship camera capabilities. Viewed through the photographers’ unique artistic perspectives, the images highlight the smartphone’s advanced 200MP Ultra Night Telephoto Camera, delivering remarkable clarity, stability and creative flexibility. Enhanced by next-generation AI technology, the HONOR Magic8 Pro transforms smartphone photography into a compelling storytelling tool, elevating everyday moments into striking visual narratives.

Adding an interactive element to the exhibition, members of the public are also invited to don traditional Malaysian costumes such as Chinese, Nyonya, Malay or Indian attire and capture their own memorable portraits using the HONOR Magic8 Pro. This hands-on experience allows visitors to explore the device’s advanced portrait mode, impressive low-light performance and exceptional image quality, creating a deeper appreciation of both cultural expression and mobile photography innovation.

The exhibition culminates on 31 December 2025 with the Visit Malaysia 2026 New Year’s Eve Festival, taking place outside Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM. As the countdown to the new year begins, the celebration marks a fitting close to an exhibition that blends culture, creativity and technology, while setting the tone for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign ahead.

December 29, 2025
How Malaysia’s Creative Economy is Being Shaped by ASEAN-UK Collaboration

The creative economy is increasingly recognized as a defining economic model of the 21st century, and Malaysia is poised to benefit from strategic regional and international collaborations that aim to strengthen this sector. According to John Howkins, the creative economy drives innovation, cultural expression, and economic growth, and in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016–2025 has provided a framework to enhance supply, demand, and market efficiency in creative industries. As this plan concludes, insights from the British Council’s Regional Perception Poll, which surveyed over 4,100 respondents across ASEAN and Timor-Leste—including nearly 20% Malaysians—reveal both opportunities and ongoing challenges. While 60% of respondents view the creative economy as growing and 43% note its positive economic impact, 68% of creative professionals still struggle to access markets, highlighting the need for initiatives that support sustainable careers. Over half of Malaysian respondents also emphasized that local culture and traditional wisdom significantly shape creative products, strengthening identity and economic competitiveness.

The ASEAN-UK collaboration plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by connecting Malaysian creative professionals with global expertise and markets. Initiatives such as the Digital Craft Toolkit, developed with the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) and Institut Kraf Negara, demonstrate how local heritage can be preserved while meeting contemporary market demands. Trade missions and exchanges, including participation in London Tech Week 2024, have linked Malaysian innovators with UK expertise to address barriers such as lack of market information. In 2025, programmes delivered with MOTAC, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), and the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Performing Arts have reached over 150 policymakers and creative practitioners, underscoring the value of consolidated support and connected solutions.

ASEAN-UK Creative Economy Symposium – Day 2 – All Organising Partners – UKMis – ASEC – BC – John Newbigin – MoTAC – CAO – BC

At the centre of these efforts is the ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy Programme (ACE), co-funded by the UK Mission to ASEAN and the British Council, which aligns with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. By combining professional development, research, and knowledge exchange, the programme transforms insights into actionable outcomes, from hybrid policy trainings to music festival delegations, turning individual capability into sector-wide change. Malaysia, with its rich craft heritage, digital ambitions, and collaborative ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to leverage local culture as a competitive advantage, connecting authenticity to global markets. As ACE enters its second phase, it aims to train 250 creative professionals and policymakers by March 2026 and collaborate with universities to equip the next generation of creative talent with essential tools. By fostering a creative economy that is culturally rooted, globally connected, and digitally enabled, Malaysia and ASEAN can shape a vibrant, resilient, and commercially viable creative sector for the future.

December 9, 2025
Borneo Fashion Week 2025: Pentas Global Fesyen Berteraskan Kelestarian & Budaya

Borneo Fashion Week (BFW) 2025 kembali dengan lebih besar dan berwawasan, membawa aspirasi baharu ke pentas fesyen antarabangsa. Berlangsung pada 10 hingga 11 Oktober di Pavilion Damansara Heights, lokasi eksklusif ini dijangka memberikan pengalaman imersif kepada para pengunjung dengan gabungan pameran fesyen, pertunjukan budaya dan sentuhan kreatif bertaraf dunia.

Diasaskan oleh Stephanie Alcantara, juara Mrs. Malaysia Classique Globe 23/24, naib juara Miss Malaysia 1990 dan Dewi Remaja 1989, BFW lahir daripada keinginan untuk memperjuangkan budaya masyarakat pribumi sambil memperkukuh kedudukan Asia dalam dunia haute couture. Sejak diperkenalkan, acara ini berkembang menjadi salah satu festival utama dalam kalendar kreatif rantau ini, menghimpunkan pereka, peragawati serta penggiat industri fesyen dari seluruh dunia.

Dengan tema “Fashion With Purpose”, edisi tahun ini menekankan bahawa fesyen bukan sekadar gaya, tetapi juga sebuah platform identiti, kebanggaan dan kelestarian. Para pereka diwajibkan untuk mempersembahkan sekurang-kurangnya satu rekaan berkonsepkan lestari, sejajar dengan kesedaran terhadap alam sekitar. Menurut Stephanie, matlamat utama BFW adalah untuk melangkaui sekadar sebuah pertunjukan fesyen. Ia menjadi wadah penceritaan, menyemai rasa hormat terhadap budaya, dan mencetuskan kesedaran tentang kepentingan kelestarian.

BFW 2025 menampilkan pereka tersohor dan bakat baharu, di samping jenama gaya hidup serta persembahan budaya yang menghubungkan seni, muzik dan fesyen. Dari tekstil tradisional hingga rekaan kontemporari, gabungan warisan dan inovasi ini mencerminkan kekuatan Borneo sebagai pusat inspirasi global. Konsep tahun ini bukan sahaja meraikan akar budaya, malah memperlihatkan bagaimana fesyen dapat menjadi pemangkin ekonomi dan agen perubahan sosial.

Borneo Fashion Week juga terus memperkukuh jaringan global melalui kolaborasi bersama media antarabangsa dan pempengaruh fesyen, sekali gus membuka peluang luas kepada pereka tempatan untuk tampil di peringkat dunia. Pereka baharu diberikan ruang sama rata dengan nama besar dalam industri, termasuk liputan media dan peluang rangkaian, bagi memastikan suara generasi baharu terus berkumandang dalam dunia fesyen.

Kelestarian tetap menjadi teras utama dengan penggunaan material mesra alam dan proses penghasilan yang lebih eco-conscious. Warisan budaya Borneo tetap diberi tempat dengan penampilan motif, tekstil dan hasil pertukangan tradisional dalam gaya moden yang segar. Penganjuran kali ini turut mendapat sokongan rakan strategik seperti Cavu Fragrance, NADI Clinic, Pensonic, Esperer Cosmetiques dan Pavilion Damansara Heights. Kerjasama ini meletakkan BFW sebagai festival gaya hidup menyeluruh yang menyatukan inovasi, wellness dan budaya.

Stephanie menegaskan bahawa impian jangka panjangnya adalah menjadikan Borneo Fashion Week sebagai pusat fesyen utama Asia yang diiktiraf secara global. Dengan kempen Visit Malaysia 2026, beliau berharap BFW dapat disenaraikan dalam kalendar tahunan MOTAC sebagai salah satu acara kebanggaan negara. Matlamat ini bukan sahaja untuk memperkenalkan bakat tempatan ke persada dunia, tetapi juga membuka peluang kerjasama antarabangsa serta mencipta nilai ekonomi untuk pereka dan penggiat industri fesyen Malaysia dan Borneo.

Antara pereka yang bakal tampil di pentas BFW 2025 termasuk Angelique, Aldrin, Clarissima, Calvin Tho, December Teo, GC Jade, Inayad, Ocely, Saerah, Barzwang, Jayk, Wan Bynun, Even Ong, Penan Bag, Maswira Majid, Nasha Prive dan Yacutha dari Malaysia. Turut serta ialah Bianca dan Gracie dari Vietnam, Hayden Ng dan Indra Mubarak dari Singapura serta Bilang dari Brunei. Kehadiran nama-nama ini menandakan kepelbagaian perspektif kreatif yang akan dipersembahkan kepada dunia di Pavilion Damansara Heights pada Oktober nanti.

September 26, 2025
CULTURAL HERITAGE GLORY: SARAWAK EMERGES AS CHAMPION.

Sarawak’s winning streak continues this year as it secures yet another significant international business event. Known as the “Olympic Games” of the global cultural calendar, Sarawak has been chosen to host the 22nd ICOMOS Triennial General Assembly 2026 (ICOMOS GA2026), with Kuching being the designated host city.

ICOMOS Malaysia, the Malaysian national committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, will host ICOMOS GA2026 between October 17 and 24, 2026, with at least 2,000 cultural heritage experts and professionals from over 130 countries participating in meetings and scientific symposiums, social events and workshops, and technical visits to significant cultural and natural heritage sites in Kuching, Sarawak, and other parts of Malaysia.

With turbulent changes taking place in the world today, from conflicts and war to natural disasters and climate change, ICOMOS GA2026 will design its scientific symposium around the theme ‘Living Heritage: Respect, Enhance, Accept, and Partnership’ to promote the positive role of heritage conservation in supporting and promoting peace, respect, inclusivity, and sustainability.

“Sarawak is home to a wide variety of ethnicities, cultures, and traditions that give our destination a unique and powerful identity; therefore, preserving cultural heritage sites and buildings is essential for maintaining our connection to history, culture, and community. However, with rapid urbanization and modernization, it becomes challenging to balance development and cultural conservation”, said the Honourable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts. “The Sarawak Government is very proud to collaborate with ICOMOS Malaysia and deliver positive social, cultural, and economic benefits through the event, in line with Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and Malaysia’s commitment towards the protection and management of cultural heritage.”

Speaking in today’s press conference, ICOMOS Malaysia President Tiong Kian Boon stated that hosting the 22nd ICOMOS GA2026 in Kuching is a huge vote of confidence in ICOMOS Malaysia by the Sarawak Government and an enormous undertaking for the national committee.

“It is the national committee’s dream for ICOMOS GA2026 to leave a lasting legacy of cultural interpretation and advocacy par excellence moving forward,” said Tiong Kian Boon. “We foresee delegates becoming advocates for the amazing experiences that Sarawak and Malaysia’s cultural heritage offer. Such a global event will have a high economic impact and wide-ranging benefits for future cultural tourism. We hope that ICOMOS GA2026 will highlight the importance of heritage as a tourism driver in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.”

In terms of economic value, the event is expected to secure at least 16.3 million in total economic impact and a direct delegate expenditure of RM8.9 million, earning RM984,000 in taxes. Meanwhile, 1,301 job opportunities will be created for the local community.

ICOMOS Malaysia Deputy President, Faisal Abdul Rahman, said “ICOMOS GA2026 aligns closely with the Malaysian government’s commitment towards the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in the protection and management of cultural heritage, particularly of the 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, with many more new nominations on the way. GA2026 is an opportunity to highlight to an international audience the significant achievements of Malaysia and Sarawak in cultural heritage management as well as the role of the cultural heritage sector in the nation’s economic growth.”

“Since launching the state-level business events campaign, Tribe Legacy Sarawak, in 2020, we are initiating more collaborations that lead to greater benefits for the industry and beyond,” expressed Amelia Roziman, BESarawak’s CEO. “The campaign emphasizes how collaborations can add greater value to business events. In the case of ICOMOS GA2026, we collaborated with Sarawak Government Ministries and Agencies and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau to bring this significant event to our destination. Our hope is to establish a legacy where Sarawak becomes the central hub for culture and heritage conservation in the country.”

ICOMOS Malaysia is seeking partnerships with the public and private sectors throughout Malaysia as strategic partners and/or corporate partners. To inquire about the collaborative opportunities or an interview with ICOMOS Malaysia, kindly contact Faisal Abdul Rahman (Deputy President, ICOMOS Malaysia) at +6013-6359292 or email empirefaisal@gmail.com.

October 18, 2023