Page 44 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

40 CULTURE, ARTS & HERITAGE - FOREWORD
Culture and Arts inevitably mirror society and their universal message is to celebrate diversity and inclusivity as we move towards a progressive worldview. They promote the quest for self-reflection, celebrate the miracle of life and encourage us to engage more humanely and sustainably with our environment. For these reasons, a vibrant culture and arts scene is essential to our personal, communal and national development, and to our quality of life.
Fortunately, and thanks to the determined efforts of countless dedicated and talented individuals, Malaysia has developed a vibrant, complex and diverse artistic and cultural landscape in the 60-plus years since independence. Our traditional art forms, whether of Malay, Chinese, Indian, indigenous or other origin, have continually renewed themselves
to reflect modern Malaysia and its place in the world. Similarly, we have borrowed artistic themes and genres from elsewhere and made them uniquely our own. And of course, being multi-racial, multi-cultural Malaysians, we have blended all these sources and themes together to create astounding diverse works of art.
It is heartening to see the many recent initiatives, both government and private sector led, that provide funding and resources for young artists and help them to realise the economic potential of their work. Also, the blossoming of independent galleries and performance spaces over the last decade or so, and their spread to towns and cities far from Kuala Lumpur, has provided more opportunities for artists throughout the country and enabled many more Malaysians to appreciate and enjoy their creations.
We have come a long way in a short time, but we can go further still with sensitive, compassionate and visionary leadership and support from arts organisations, the private sector, the Malaysian media and of course our Federal and State governments.
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim
Dancer & Choreographer, Chairman of the Sutra Foundation