TO foster a love of arts and culture in an individual, it has to be done at an early age, says former National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Penang director Shapee Che Embi.
Shapee, 58, who just started his new role early this month as JKKN deputy director (cultural arts guidance division) at the Federal level, said this is because it is easier to nurture children at a younger age.
“With the right guidance, we can train them with the right form of arts such as traditional dance, poetry, poems, theatre, music, linguistic arts and singing to develop their talents.
“This is one of the main functions of JKKN, we want to educate the community about the importance of arts and culture through various programmes and activities organised by the department.
“We want the people to know the importance of why we should preserve our arts and culture for future generations.
“Our department is also focusing on attracting more youths to engage in arts and culture through various classes and courses,” Shapee told Buletin Mutiara during an interview at Dewan Sri Pinang recently.
Shapee also recalled his time as the JKKN Penang director.
“During my tenure from July 2020 until May this year, there have been various programmes organised by the state JKKN in collaboration with Penang and Federal Governments, including their agencies, to promote arts and culture in Penang.
“This includes national-level Majlis Tilawah Al-Quran, Jelajah Madani and others.
“I arrived in Penang, from Istana Budaya, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when various lockdowns were being enforced. This significantly restricted the types of programmes we could organise at that time.
“Nevertheless, we continued to hold online and hybrid programmes, such as virtual forums, talk shows, and various competitions, to ensure the continuity of arts and culture initiatives,” he said, adding that he was glad that everything has returned to normal.
Shapee added that there was a student-oriented programme at JKKN Penang.
“Through this programme, our staff will train students from selected schools by conducting special classes and workshops such as boria, ghazal parti, poetry, theatre and others.
“This is crucial for fostering a love of arts and culture. We want to spark their interest and deepen their knowledge of our diverse artistic and cultural forms, so they can continue the legacy of preserving them.
“We have also identified several high-impact programmes that can positively influence the development of arts and culture in the state. These initiatives, in collaboration with Think City, will be continued by my successor,” said Shapee.
Shapee also announced that there would be a Boria Festival in July and it will be held in Penang.
He anticipated many participants from schools and universities at the festival.
More information about the Boria Festival will be announced by JKKN Penang.
Shapee added that his new role as JKKN deputy director at the Federal level would require him to supervise, coordinate and ensure various arts and cultural programmes in the schools nationwide could be implemented smoothly.
He also hoped his successor would continue to implement the good initiatives and programmes that have been planned by JKKN Penang.
Shapee, who is also a Penangite, expressed his desire to establish Permata Seni Pulau Pinang (academy of arts and culture) once he retired one day.
Story by Riadz Akmal