By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
SERI MANJUNG: How far are efforts to preserve cultural heritage being carried out continuously, rather than merely through seasonal events and festivals?
Manjung District Chief Toh Seri Bijaya Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Datuk Shaharudin Nazari said the need to keep cultural heritage alive in everyday life deserved serious attention.
“In an era of technological advancement and changing lifestyles, traditional poetry, folk songs and stories face challenges in remaining relevant, particularly among the younger generation.
“The reality is that heritage is not merely a relic of the past to be displayed or remembered. It embodies the values, wisdom and experiences of our ancestors that shape our community’s identity,” he said on the sidelines of the opening of Malam Kalam Warisan, held in conjunction with the 2026 International Poetry and Folk Song Festival (PULARA) at Dataran MADANI Seri Manjung recently.
He stressed that efforts to preserve cultural heritage should not depend solely on artists or specific institutions, particularly as younger generations risk becoming increasingly disconnected from traditional poetry, folk songs and oral storytelling.
“Instead, families, schools, universities and communities must play a more active role in ensuring traditional arts remain known, understood and appreciated.
“The organisation of PULARA 2026 in Manjung, including the PULARA Masuk Kampung and Titian Budaya programmes, is one approach to bringing the arts closer to the community.
“However, the success of such initiatives should not be measured merely by the number of performances or the scale of the celebrations, but by their ability to nurture interest and develop the next generation of cultural practitioners,” he said.
At the same time, technological advancements should be harnessed to introduce cultural heritage to wider audiences through digital recordings, social media and educational platforms.
Such an approach would allow traditional arts to evolve alongside changing times without losing their original identity and values.
Cultural heritage also has the potential to contribute to the local economy and tourism when promoted strategically, particularly through handicrafts, traditional food and artistic performances.
Therefore, cooperation among the government, educational institutions, artists and local communities must continue beyond the duration of any festival.
