By KT Leong
Tradition and youthful talent came alive at Ipoh Parade’s Sekolahku Berbakat 5.0, Chinese Cultural Dance Competition last weekend. Held in conjunction with the mall’s Mid-Autumn “Moonlight Fiesta”, the event gathered 25 school teams from across Perak, presenting shoppers and visitors with an afternoon rich in culture, storytelling, and heritage.
Secondary School Category Highlights
The afternoon reached its peak with the secondary school competition, where SMK San Min (Team A) delivered a graceful and near-perfect performance titled Recital of Umbrella. Their rhythmic yet elegant swirls and twists painted a vivid picture that seemed to come alive on stage. The team’s meticulous efforts in make-up and costumes also earned them the Best Costume Award, on top of clinching the champion title with a cash prize of RM1,500.
SMK Katholik of Tanjung Malim secured the 1st runner-up position with their touching rendition of Dreams of Butterflies, inspired by the classic legend of the butterfly lovers. Dressed in flowing blue chiffon, their performance exuded poise and grace, earning them RM750 in cash.
Meanwhile, SMJK Poi Lam won thunderous applause with their energetic dance Keceriaan Hujan Desa (“Joyfulness of the Village Rain”), which also bagged the Most Popular Team Award. They proudly took home the 2nd runner-up title.
Primary School Category Highlights
The primary school competition saw SJKC Min Te prove their mastery in Chinese traditional dance with a joyous and well-synchronised performance that radiated joy to both audience and judges. Their dedication since the beginning of the year paid off as they were crowned champion, winning RM1,000 in cash.
SJKC Hua Hsia delivered a powerful interpretation of Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child, captivating the crowd with their well-choreographed routine to earn the 1st runner-up spot.
Also standing out with a solemn and dramatic performance was SJKC Sin Min Sungai Tiang (Team B), whose dance Pertarungan Menuju Keharmonian (“Battle Towards Harmony”) secured them the 2nd runner-up title, along with a RM250 cash prize.
A Festival of Culture and Community
“Mid-Autumn is one of the most cherished traditional Chinese festivals, and we hope to use this opportunity to inspire the younger generation to learn about and appreciate Chinese culture in a fun and meaningful way,” said Lim Huey Tyng, Ipoh Parade’s Advertising and Promotions Manager. “We are proud to see students from Sekolah Kebangsaan taking part and performing so well in this competition.”
The competition formed part of Ipoh Parade’s Moonlight Fiesta, a weekend celebration of culture and community. On the day before, the mall hosted performances, cultural workshops, a lantern-making contest, and a lantern parade, drawing large family crowds.
The 6th Lantern Making Contest, jointly organised with 19 Lions Clubs of Perak, attracted 93 entries from arts and crafts enthusiasts. Chooi Mei Yeng, 38, emerged as the champion with her creative dragon lantern crafted from corn husks and dried leaves, a family project that impressed judges with its ingenuity. She took home RM500 in cash, a trophy, and a certificate.
As night fell, a lively LED Dragon and Lion Dance wowed spectators before leading hundreds of children in a lantern parade around the mall, creating a joyous spectacle for families and a memorable highlight of the Mid-Autumn season.
