By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The streets of Pekan Lama came alive last Saturday with the launch of the “Ipoh Restoration Project Vol 1”.
The vibrant music and arts festival aims to strengthen the city’s bid to be recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
Held along Jalan Bijeh Timah, the festival was a joint initiative by COMMUNITY HOPI, the Malaysia Perak Art Society, and local Ipoh musicians, with support from Tourism Perak.
Festival-goers were treated to an eclectic line-up of performances, ranging from modern pop music to lively street orchestra sessions.
The celebration also featured art workshops, a pop-up night market, a fashion and thrift bazaar, and skateboarding activities, transforming the heritage area into a bustling hub of creativity.
Chairman of the Malaysia Perak Art Society, Herman Wong, said the festival not only showcased local talents on an international platform but also provided opportunities for local entrepreneurs and brought together communities of diverse backgrounds in a celebration of creativity and culture.
“This is more than just a festival—it’s a step forward in uniting our multicultural community through music and the arts while supporting Ipoh’s bid to gain UNESCO recognition,” he said.
Herman hopes to make this an annual affair, positioning Ipoh as a vibrant hub for cultural tourism and creative industries.
