Gerak Angin - First Malaysian Virtual Arts Festival to Reawaken National Spirit This Malaysia Day

Malaysia Day is around the corner, what is your plan on the upcoming Public Holiday? Why not join me to watch Gerak Angin – the first Malaysian Virtual Arts Festival together online? It is one of the best ways to celebrate the very best of Malaysia’s culture, arts and heritage through modern mediums – the fully digital festival will premiere on Wednesday, 16 September, in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

Pn Sri Sabera Shaik, Founder of Masakini Theatre and Artistic Director for Theatre in Gerak Angin – the first Malaysian Virtual Arts Festival - speaking at the Gerak Angin Special Screening and Official Launch event. 

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Gerak Angin is organised by Masakini Theatre Company, Sutra Foundation and Surprise Ventures.

Audiences watch a special screening of Gerak Angin episode 1 featuring a performance from Kelantanese art practitioners, Geng Wak Long titled Beringin Sakti 2.0. The first Malaysian Virtual Arts Festival will be launching its first episode on 16th September. 

Gerak Angin festival assembles over 200 individuals from across Malaysia’s performing arts scene – including artists, cameramen, lighting crew, equipment contractors and more. The artists will gather to showcase a diverse range of music, dance and theatre performances across 17 days – from 16 September to 2 October.

YB Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, at the Gerak Angin Special Screening and Official Launch event. Gerak Angin, the first Malaysian Virtual Arts Festival, will launch its first episode on 16 September 2020 on www.gerakangin.com as well as its official YouTube page.

Commenting on Gerak Angin, Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia said, “The Festival truly embodies the national artistic and cultural spirit through the companies involved and the performances, and we are proud to be the face for Gerak Angin. Gerak Angin captures the essence of being Malaysian and more importantly these rousing performances will surely reawaken and uplift spirits, something we all need at this time.”

(L-R) YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture; YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Noor Zari, Ketua Setiausaha at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture; Sabera Shaik, Founder of Masakini Theatre; Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Chairman of Sutra Foundation; and Vivek Menon, Principal Partner at Surprise Ventures. Gerak Angin will begin streaming on www.gerakangin.com on 16th September. 

In celebration of the impending launch, the organisers hosted a special screening event, and I was honorable to be invited to join the special screening last week. The event gathered Gerak Angin participants, other members of the performing arts community as well as members of the media.

(L-R) YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Noor Zari, Ketua Setiausaha at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture; YB Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture; Sabera Shaik, Founder of Masakini Theatre; Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Chairman of Sutra Foundation; and Vivek Menon, Principal Partner at Surprise Ventures, at the Gerak Angin Special Screening and Official Launch event. 

They witnessed the premiere of the full Festival-trailer that featured a look at all 17 captivating performances that will greet audiences once the Gerak Angin festival begins. Those in attendance were also treated to an exclusive first-look at Gerak Angin: Episode One that features a brilliant musical performance steeped in traditional Kelantanese culture by Geng Wak Long.

“Gerak Angin is going to be a truly unique festival not only for its fully digital nature, but also for the immensely vibrant collective of arts and artists that it showcases,” said Puan Sri Sabera Shaik, Artistic Director of Masakini Theatre Company and Artistic Director for the Theatre genre of Gerak Angin.

“Malaysian performing artists are incredibly talented and Gerak Angin provides them with a platform to showcase their majestic performances that capture the very soul of Malaysia. This will be the perfect Malaysia Day gift for every patriotic Malaysian who is as proud of our cultural heritage and talent as I am,” added Puan Sri Sabera.

Everyday of the Festival will see a fresh episode uploaded and made available on the Festival’s YouTube Channel - https://bit.ly/gerakangin-my and website - www.gerakangin.com. Each episode lasts between 10 to 15 minutes.

Shot in spectacular high-definition 4K at the famed Studio Ramli Hassan and other select locations, Gerak Angin will give fans and newcomers alike a never before seen experience of Malaysian performing arts. Content will be delivered via the most accessible digital platforms and served in easily digestible chunks providing for the best bet at broadening the appeal of cultural Malaysian arts.

“Gerak Angin was conceptualised to breathe new life into the performance arts scene in Malaysia,” said Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Chairman of Sutra Foundation and Artistic Director for the Dance and Music genres of Gerak Angin. “After a tumultuous few months due to the pandemic – that severely impacted many artists, we are confident that Gerak Angin can stir the winds that will lift the entire performing arts scene to new heights.”

“With a truly borderless approach - whether in terms of duration, cost or accessibility, I believe Gerak Angin represents the very best shot we have of increasing the awareness and appreciation for the arts. Through Gerak Angin I think everyone from every walk of life will find something to enjoy or be inspired by,” added Datuk Ramli.

Amongst the musical performances to be featured in Gerak Angin are Geng Wak Long, KL Jazz & Arts Centre and Pusat Budaya Pusaka, whereas dance production companies are Sutra Foundation, Dua Space Dance Theatre and Cempaka Performing Arts Company. Rounding out the three genres will be theatre companies such as KL Shakespeare Players, STEPS, ACX Productions and Theatrethreesixty.

Gerak Angin premieres on 16 September 2020 at 9pm and will be available on demand at the Festival’s website www.gerakangin.com or YouTube Channel https://bit.ly/gerakangin-my. Let's support our local artists, cameramen, lighting crew, equipment contractors and more by tuning in on time and enjoy this enriching experience with our friends and family.

To stay up to date on the Festival’s progress, follow Gerak Angin on Facebook or Instagram.