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Date: 11th to 13th September 2021
Location: Kota Bharu Kelantan
Building on the overwhelming success of last year’s Kelantan Exchange, the Malaysian Craft Council (MCC) returned with Kelantan Exchange 2021, a national-level event dedicated to championing local artisans and exposing the public to the rich cultural heritage of Malaysian crafts.
This year, MCC aimed to create an even more immersive experience for visitors, partnering with Tourism Malaysia, Yayasan Hasanah, UNESCO, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), the National Department for Culture and Arts, and The Grand Renai Hotel, Kota Bharu, as the venue sponsor. With the movement control order (MCO) lifted, a larger turnout was anticipated.
Last year’s event made headlines for breaking taboos by reviving the traditional Mak Yong dance-drama after nearly three decades of it being banned from performing in the state. The revival was conducted in a syariah-compliant manner, inspiring this year’s theme: “Illusion of Langkasuka.”
The golden era of the Langkasuka Kingdom represents the pinnacle of Malay civilization, with influences that continue to be seen in Malaysian art motifs, architecture, design, and even lifestyle today. Through Kelantan Exchange 2021, MCC aimed to rekindle this timeless spirit by showcasing the multifaceted possibilities of Malaysian crafts, emphasizing their relevance and potential for repurposing in the modern world.
“Our crafts are incredibly versatile, with limitless potential for innovation, repurposing, and cross-cultural fusion,” said Nik Faiz, MCC’s president, with contagious enthusiasm.
Event highlights:
Art Bazaar: The event featured an Art Bazaar, offering a demonstration and sales booth showcasing traditional crafts like batik, clay/ceramic, tengkolok, kelingkan, telepok, copper block printing, wayang kulit, and more. The bazaar attracted 50 local artisans and welcomed over 10,000 visitors.
Pentas Mak Yong: A special Mak Yong performance titled “The Spirit of Mak Yong” was held by JKKN, drawing an audience of more than 400 people with tickets selling out quickly.
Cultural Runway: A Malay traditional costume showcase titled “Cultural Runway” featured the works of John Ang and Subaidah Sual, with 200 guests in attendance.
Dialogue Session: A dialogue session was conducted with guest panels including industry experts Azahra Ibrahim, Norhaiza Noordin, and Eddin Khoo. The session was attended by approximately 250 invited guests from local industries and agencies.
Langkasuka Illusion: The event concluded with a grand charity dinner and tribute to local artisans who have been involved in the craft industry for over 30 years. The night was a celebration of craft makers, featuring performances and the MCC Creative Awards. A total of 50 tables were sold
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