PETALING JAYA, 29 May: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be organising the Petaling Jaya International Festival, with the team ‘The People’s Artistry’, in line with the desire to make Pataling Jaya a tourist destination with the concept of ‘Shopping, Health and Education’ (SHE).
The programme also received cooperation from the International Council for Organisations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) and is aimed at promoting Petaling Jaya, Selangor and Malaysia, in general, as an international tourist destination, liveable, good environment, in addition to exciting activities.
The MBPJ Mayor, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad, said that the people’s artistry theme is upheld in line with main elements and direction of Petaling Jaya Sejahtera 2030; which is culture and community, harmonious society, safe and caring.
She said that 14 countries will be involved to enliven the festival, which will be launched on a big scale at Jalan Yong Shook Lin, the Section 52 City Centre, on June 20.
“Among the countries that will take part are Japan, South Korea, Egypt, Senegal, Kenya, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Langka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Iran, Ghana and India.
“Meanwhile, local participation involved Selangor, Malacca, Sarawak, Kelantan, Perak and Negeri Sembilan.
“The organisation of this festival is also in conjunction with the eight anniversary of the Petaling Jaya city and the Visit Malaysia Year 2014,” she said at the Full Council Meeting at the MBPJ headquarters today.
Alinah said that the festival also offers up various interesting activities like exhibition and the sale of crafts, traditional food demonstration, people’s artistic presentation from the country and abroad, and a people’s sports, involving participation of people from all walks of life.
She said that visitors will also have the opportunity to grab special holiday packages to selected destinations at the Travel Fair by MATTA Fair Selangor throughout the carnival.
“What is exciting is that the celebration this time also received collaboration from corporate bodies, non-governmental ogranisations (NGOs) and shopping complex managements, including Paradigm Mall, Damansara Performing Arts Centre, The Curve and Sunway Pyramid, as the location sponsors for the ‘pocket show’ segment.
“I am excited to welcome all residents of Petaling Jaya and the people of Malaysia, in general, to come and enliven this festival to witness the uniqueness of various cultures and art by the fellow people of Petaling Jaya,” she said.