KUALA LUMPUR: Although still reeling from the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Istana Budaya, an agency under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), will host 24 selected performances beginning in April.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that the performances under the 2021 Istana Budaya New Norms Programme, are hoped to be able to boost the countryâs stage performance activities, and provide opportunities for production companies to resume operations.
âIstana Budaya will continue to organise performances to support the well-being of the community.
âApart from elevating the performing arts, I hope that the production of âJalan Sehalaâ, a play scheduled to be staged in September, will encourage the public to continue to comply with new norms and obey the guidelines set by the National Security Council and the Health Ministry,â she said at the programme launch here, today.
Also present were Motac secretary-general Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat and senior officials, as well as department and agency heads.
The selected productions include âTeater Bangsawan Raja Bersiongâ, âFestival Gamelan Gema Gangsaâ, âKonsert Tanah Airku Bersama Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaanâ, âWayang Bersama Konsert Orkestra Tradisional Malaysiaâ, âGenius Seni Muzik 10th Anniversary Concertâ and the theatrical dance âBakawaliâ.
In addition to Istana Budayaâs own productions, several other programmes organised by other production houses, including âKonsert 4GâSâ, âKonsert Barisan Hadapan DJA (Datuk Jamal Abdillah)â and the Civil Service Departmentâs âSengkela Perakâ will also be staged.
Throughout 2020, Istana Budaya recorded a total of 13,677 visitors with an income, including ticket sales and venue rental, of RM1.02 million.
Currently, Istana Budaya is conducting artistic and technical preparation work for the programme that is planned throughout 2021, with the hope that all performances will be staged as scheduled, either physically or virtually, depending on the Covid-19 situation. -Bernama
