MELAKA ART AND PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL 2014 STARTS ON 21.11.2014

Updated: Monday November 17, 2014 MYT 12:51:56 PM
Melaka Art And Performance Festival returns with a broader dance-centred programme

This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.
This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.

The three-day Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 (MAPFest), which starts Nov 21, is back with a bumper schedule that includes contemporary dance, performance art, puppet theatre, storytelling and spoken word sessions, short films, music and workshops.

The free admission festival takes place in many of Malacca’s heritage sites and historical streets including the church ruins on St Paul’s Hill, A’Famosa, the Proclaimation of Independence Memorial and the Stadthuys.

This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.
This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.

The three-day Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 (MAPFest), which starts Nov 21, is back with a bumper schedule that includes contemporary dance, performance art, puppet theatre, storytelling and spoken word sessions, short films, music and workshops.

The free admission festival takes place in many of Malacca’s heritage sites and historical streets including the church ruins on St Paul’s Hill, A’Famosa, the Proclaimation of Independence Memorial and the Stadthuys.

Thailand-born Nakarin Jaikla has kept true to his traditional Thai Lanna background despite actively exploring Western dance styles. The Thai dancer is part of the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014.
More than 65 homegrown and international artists (Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, France, Ghana, South Korea, Ireland, Brazil, The Netherlands, Morrocco, Canada, Poland and the United States) will take part in this sixth edition of MAPFest which has brought Malacca’s heritage areas to life with its day-long arts programmes.

Among the highlights this year are Australian-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works that blend shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre, Thailand’s Nakarin Jaikla, who is a Lanna (northern Thai tradition) contemporary artist, and Indonesian performance artist Rudi Abdallah who critically analyses social issues and inequality in his homeland.

Australia-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works are set to give the festival a blend of shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre.
Elsewhere, Australia folk singer Kavisha Mazzella, with her socially conscious songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado and Gypsy influences, is bound to delight music fans. Veteran homegrown folk roots singer-songwriter Antares is also a festival highlight as he takes to the stage with his signature socio-political and spiritual stirrings. The return of festival favourites like Agung Gunawan (from Indonesia) and Chong Keat Aun (Malaysia), both cross cultural performers, will only add to the festival’s illuminating live performances.

More info on MAPFest and festival schedules at www.melakafestival.com

Thailand-born Nakarin Jaikla has kept true to his traditional Thai Lanna background despite actively exploring Western dance styles. The Thai dancer is part of the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014.
More than 65 homegrown and international artists (Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, France, Ghana, South Korea, Ireland, Brazil, The Netherlands, Morrocco, Canada, Poland and the United States) will take part in this sixth edition of MAPFest which has brought Malacca’s heritage areas to life with its day-long arts programmes.

Among the highlights this year are Australian-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works that blend shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre, Thailand’s Nakarin Jaikla, who is a Lanna (northern Thai tradition) contemporary artist, and Indonesian performance artist Rudi Abdallah who critically analyses social issues and inequality in his homeland.

Australia-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works are set to give the festival a blend of shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre.
Elsewhere, Australia folk singer Kavisha Mazzella, with her socially conscious songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado and Gypsy influences, is bound to delight music fans. Veteran homegrown folk roots singer-songwriter Antares is also a festival highlight as he takes to the stage with his signature socio-political and spiritual stirrings. The return of festival favourites like Agung Gunawan (from Indonesia) and Chong Keat Aun (Malaysia), both cross cultural performers, will only add to the festival’s illuminating live performances.

More info on MAPFest and festival schedules at www.melakafestival.com