ASEAN Zapin Enlivens BoAPA 2025, Symbolising Regional Cultural Unity

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Zapin performance, inspired by the traditional Zapin Hanuman dance, is set to be the main attraction at the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts (BoAPA) 2025 programme in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit, serving as a cultural bridge that unites the region’s diverse peoples.

The coordinator of the BoAPA 2025 programme, Lydia Irffian Mohd Isa, said this year's edition brings a difference by, for the first time, featuring 44 children aged between 10 and 14 from 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, compared to previous editions which only featured adult participants.

“BoAPA 2025, themed ‘ASEAN Cultural Seed: Nurturing Cultural Leaders’, focuses on the younger generation as heirs and future leaders of cultural heritage,” she said when met by Bernama during a rehearsal session at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, RTM, here today.

She noted that BoAPA 2025 is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and the Pertubuhan Anak Seni Malaysia (PASMA). It is a symbolic annual programme held in conjunction with the ASEAN Chairmanship of a host country.

According to Lydia the concept of Zapin Hanuman was chosen as it reflects the spirit of togetherness and the shared cultural heritage among ASEAN countries.

“As Nusantara nations, we share similarities in culture and storytelling. For example, the Ramayana and Hanuman epics are narratives that resonate closely with all ASEAN countries. From there, a dance was created to offer something unique while uniting ASEAN’s young participants in BoAPA 2025,” she said.

Meanwhile, PASMA Chairperson Arizah Mohd Yusoff said that out of the 44 participants, 22 local participants aged 12 and below were selected through auditions held around Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

“Participation in BoAPA 2025 provides an opportunity for participants, especially local children, to perform on an international stage and before ASEAN leaders, while also gaining an understanding of the ASEAN Summit and its related events,” she said.

She explained that the main challenge in managing the international participants was the language barrier, considering that most participants were aged 13 and below and were less fluent in English, but the spirit and creativity of art became the universal language that united them.

Participants from the Philippines, Enrique Paolo A. Herrera, 14, and Yzeiah Jamila A. Ringor, 14, shared their excitement over the opportunity to perform abroad for the first time.

“We're so happy to be here. Definitely, both of us are very nervous, but this is a very good opportunity for us to be a part of BoAPA 2025 in Malaysia, a very nice country,” said Enrique.

Singaporean participant Zhang Ziyi, 12, also expressed her excitement about joining the prestigious performance.

 “This is my first experience performing internationally outside of Singapore. Through this performance, I have learned various new dance genres, including the Zapin Hanuman. Previously, I had only performed ballet and Chinese dance, so this has been a truly valuable experience for me,” she said.

The BoAPA 2025 performance will take place tomorrow at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, RTM, and will be broadcast live on TV2, while the second performance on Oct 27 will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre before delegates and world leaders.

-- BERNAMA