00:00Young Malaysians from diverse backgrounds are uniting through a shared passion for calligraphy,
00:06gaining national and international recognition.
00:09The Kuala Lumpur World Calligraphy Carnival 2024 celebrates this cultural connection,
00:15emphasizing Malaysia's diversity and cross-cultural exchange.
00:23Among the participants is Dewi Eva Natasha Ag China,
00:27a university student from Sarawak who discovered her love for calligraphy at age 9.
00:32Dewi's calligraphic prowess has earned her prestigious accolades,
00:57including top prizes in international competitions in Hong Kong and Beijing.
01:02I feel like writing calligraphy gives me the calmness and in my opinion I don't actually
01:09need to know the actual language to feel what it gives me.
01:15Noah Tovi Neopleon, a Form 4 student from Sabah who began practicing calligraphy
01:20seven years ago, also finds calligraphy helps him stay focused and calm.
01:31His dedication has earned him a state-level win in Sabah and a top-five finish at the
01:47national level. Sik Huiang, another young enthusiast from Sabah, started learning at six.
02:02The 10-year-old national champion practices calligraphy for two hours daily, committed
02:08to honing her skill. Kanesh Shankar, a university technology Malaysia UTM student,
02:15also found a connection to calligraphy since young. I'm from Chinese primary school so
02:21I learned about calligraphy a little but I didn't go through a lot. Then after entering
02:27secondary school, my Chinese teacher sent me to a competition. She just told me like
02:33go through and see what you can learn. So from that, that's where the starting point is.
02:38After two years of developing the basics, Kanesh continues to refine his skills. Tourism, arts and
02:45culture. Minister Datuk Seri Thiong Khing Singh praised the rise in interest across different
02:50ethnic groups, noting calligraphy as a bridge fostering cultural ties. His speech, delivered
02:56by the Ministry's Deputy Secretary-General, Culture, highlighted calligraphy's role in
03:01uniting diverse communities. With open and inclusive heart, they embrace this ancient art,
03:09allowing it to flourish through cross-cultural exchange. This blending of culture,
03:17perceiving tradition while breathing in fresh vitality is a true reflection
03:25in Malaysian harmony and diversity. As Malaysia and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic
03:30relations, Thiong highlighted calligraphy as a shared cultural expression. China's ambassador
03:36to Malaysia, Ouyang Yu Jing, noted that initiatives like the Belt and Road and the
03:41vision of a global community have sparked greater interest in Chinese culture worldwide.
03:54The carnival features 500 works from 48 countries and includes exhibitions, seminars,
04:22educational forums and craft workshops. It will also honour the Golden Jubilee
04:27Exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.
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