Wan Mazli delivers his speech.
KUCHING (Dec 17): The Sarawakiana Festival 2025 has affirmed the role of Pustaka Sarawak as a vital platform in preserving, documenting and disseminating the state’s heritage to the wider public.
Held by the state library under the theme ‘Warisan Ilmu, Budaya dan Kepercayaan’ from Dec to 13, the festival featured a wide range of activities including forums, talks, workshops on sustainable art, heritage exhibitions, as well as traditional performances and competitions.
Pustaka Sarawak deputy chief executive officer Wan Mazli Wan Razali said the event not only showcased the uniqueness of the various communities in the state, but also reflected the identity and strength of a society rich in customs, heritage and culture.
“It strengthens our cultural diversity and symbolises a spirit of unity.
“The younger generation, cultural researchers, arts practitioners and representatives from various communities have come forward to share their knowledge, creativity and traditional customs.
“This is proof that our heritage continues to flourish, being appreciated and preserved collectively,” he said in speech for the official closing ceremony on Tuesday.
Wan Mazli also highlighted Pustaka Sarawak’s initiative of documenting festival through the publication of a book.
“I believe it will benefit the readers.
“This is in line with our vision, mission and objectives, which are to serve as a place in preserving intellectual heritage and promoting a culture of knowledge, particularly among the people of Sarawak,” he said.
Wan Mazli also stressed that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) had transformed the global landscape of information collection, dissemination and preservation.
“AI is not merely a technological tool, but also a catalyst for epistemological change that influences how societies structure, interpret and define identity and tradition.
“This gives rise to the need for research to understand the impact of AI on heritage preservation, particularly in terms of cultural identity, information authenticity and the continuity of traditions.
“AI also opens up new opportunities, including faster digitisation and preservation of library and archival collections, the translation of ethnic languages to widen access to cultural knowledge, intelligent search systems for historical research and cultural knowledge sharing to prevent generational knowledge loss and much more,” he elaborated.
Wan Mazli also congratulated Kumpulan Hadrah Nurfatihah Kampung Kudei Baru for winning the festival’s main prize of RM3,000 for ‘Best Performance’, and also Kumpulan Hadrah Gabungan Seni Warisan for ‘Best Costume’ and Kumpulan Hadrah Gemar Bakti for the ‘People’s Choice’ categories – each receiving RM1,000.
“I hope that this art of ‘hadrah’ (song of praise), which forms part of our identity, would continue to be passed on to the younger generation,” he said.
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The post ‘Sarawakiana Fest a platform for heritage preservation’ appeared first on Borneo Post Online.
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