MSU instils national pride through Songket fest

MALAYSIA is known for its cultural diversity and traditional craft. In an effort to cultivate love and appreciation for local art and culture, focusing on traditional wear, handicraft and culture, the Management and Science University (MSU) held the Asean Songket Festival 2018.
The objective of the festival was mainly to promote the value and heritage of songket, the country's traditional fabric that requires skilled weaving techniques in its making. It was also aimed at instilling pride and appreciation among students, besides a desire for preserving the art for this heritage craft and artistry.
Songket otherwise known as kain songket or songket material is symbolic across Asean countries including Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia. In Malaysia, it is symbolic in Malay culture.
The festival at MSU was themed "Songket Appreciation". It was held across four days and received support from the Department of National Heritage, the Malaysian Prison Department, Department of Museums Malaysia, National Department of Culture and Arts, and the National Handicraft Institute.
Gracing the event were Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin; MSU president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid; MSU vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Junainah Abd Hamid; as well as representatives from respective embassies and government departments and agencies.
Some of the activities carried out at the festival included a 5km International Songket Run, a sampin and tengkolok folding competition, Mr and Mrs Songket MSU, Motive Design and choral speaking. A Songket Art Exhibition was also set up by MSU's School of Hospitality and Creative Arts, with assistance from government agencies, industries and embassy representatives.
The festival earned entry into the Malaysia Book of Records as "The Largest Participation in a Songket Wearing Event" - 4,878 in total.
To date, MSU has successfully recorded over 30 entries in the Malaysia Book of Records.