KUCHING – Tonight’s special cultural performance of the 24 Festive Drums Team of Chung Hua High School No. 1, Kuching, titled “Kuching: Past and Present,” was represented by Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian through MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
The pounding beat of the drums echoed like the heartbeat of the land, creating an extraordinary experience. With youthful energy, the students wielded their mallets to transform Sarawak’s stories and Kuching’s memories into rhythms that resonated deeply with the audience.
The 24 Festive Drums, a Malaysian art form recognised as national cultural heritage, gained new significance in the hands of these young performers. Their presentation went beyond music, it narrated Sarawak’s journey, bridging past and present, tradition and modernity, and local identity with multicultural influences.
Each beat symbolised a cultural awakening, and every chorus reflected shared belief. The performance represented Sarawak’s long-standing commitment to unity in diversity and progress through inclusiveness.
Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng noted that art offers a pause in fast-paced life, allowing people to reconnect with themselves and their homeland. He emphasised that education should not only focus on academics but also nurture talents with cultural roots and soulful identity.
He also thanked SJKC Kuching No. 1 for its vision and dedication in fostering discipline, cooperation, and cultural identity among the younger generation. Initiatives like this, he said, bring culture out of textbooks and into daily life, strengthening community bonds.
The performance concluded with a powerful message: the sound of the drums should not only resonate on stage but continue to echo in Sarawak’s shared vision for the future. The evening marked a new chapter for the 24 Festive Drums in Kuching, reinforcing cultural confidence and educational values for generations to come.
