Balai Gema Hikayat Attracts Over 8,000 Visitors

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Balai Gema Hikayat (BGH), held at GMBB in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Festival and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), attracted more than 8,000 visitors over nearly two months, reflecting sustained public interest in the country's cultural heritage.

Organised by Hikayat Fandom from May 1 to June 21, the programme showcased various elements of Malaysia's intangible cultural heritage, including Mak Yong, Mek Mulung, Wayang Kulit, as well as the storytelling traditions of Penglipur Lara and Tok Selampit through exhibitions and interactive activities.

BGH curator and Hikayat Fandom founder Ninot Aziz said the programme was conceived not merely as an exhibition, but as a space to reintroduce cultural heritage to the public through a more accessible and engaging approach.

"Balai Gema Hikayat was never intended to be merely an exhibition. It is a space for storytelling so that our artistic traditions remain alive and continue to reach new generations.

"The response received proves that the public still has a strong sense of curiosity and deep appreciation for our heritage," she said in a statement.

Ninot said workshops on Mak Yong, Mek Mulung and traditional storytelling received encouraging response, with most sessions reaching full capacity each week.

She said the programme attracted visitors from various backgrounds, including families, students, educators, arts practitioners, heritage enthusiasts and international visitors, among them a group of tour guides seeking to gain a deeper understanding of local arts and traditions.

Ninot said among the highlights was the visit by Noor Hayati Zakaria, daughter of the late Khatijah Awang, who was recognised as one of the key figures in preserving and passing down the Mak Yong tradition in Malaysia.

Encouraged by the response, Hikayat Fandom is exploring opportunities to expand the Balai Gema Hikayat concept through community programmes and activities at new locations in the future.

Meanwhile, National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said the programme not only elevated Malaysia's traditional arts and cultural heritage, but also made them more accessible to the public and tourists.

"Initiatives such as this demonstrate that traditional arts and culture have great potential to be presented in fresh, inclusive and relevant ways to today's generation, while supporting the aspirations of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 in enriching culture-based tourism experiences," he said.

-- BERNAMA