| Lyna Mohamad |
THE Gema Irama 2018 yesterday featured an assortment of performances at the DiGadong Hall of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), among them Hadrah, Gulingtangan, traditional songs, poetry, silat and contemporary traditional dances.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong was the guest of honour. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko, Permanent Secretary at the MCYS Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil and Permanent Secretary (Safety Welfare and Law) at the MoHA Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud also attended.
The ceremony began with a recitation of Doa, followed by welcoming remarks by Kris Karmila, Art and Founder of Kris Karmila Kreations Co (Kreativa), who is also the Ambassador, Head of Arts and Culture Bureau of the Youth Community Transformation Club (KKBT), Youth Centre and chairperson of the event.
Gema Irama continues to serve as a platform to help youth development in the country. It is a collaborative effort between KKBT and Kreativa and supported by the MCYS and Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism as part of the Brunei December Festival 2018, she said.
Kris also discussed the several workshops implemented this year, including the second edition of the Traditional Arts Workshop, which has received support and cooperation from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Brunei Darussalam and MCYS last October.
Since its inception, the workshop has received encouraging response, with participants given the opportunity to learn about traditional musical instruments such as the Gulingtangan, Gendang, gongs, Angklung and Gamelan.
Workshop participants also participated in the event showcasing their talents.
Gema Irama is a platform dedicated to Brunei youth from all four districts, to feature artistic talents. The event aims to raise awareness on Brunei’s unique arts and culture, and help youth generate income through the promotion of art skills.
The event also hopes to serve as a platform to attract art and culture enthusiasts from the region, and to eventually expand to become an international art festival.