Wednesday August 1, 2012

Perak students display eloquence in Chinese poetry recital competition

Story and photos by CHERYL HEW
cherylhew@thestar.com.my

ABOUT 39 groups of students from Perak schools engaged in a battle of linguistic ability during a Chinese poetry recital competition held recently.

Participants were divided into three categories; primary and lower secondary school students competed in groups while the upper secondary school students competed individually.

During the competition, the students captivated those present with their powerful voices and skilful delivery as they read out Chinese poems with topics ranging from patriotism to children’s stories.

Champs: The happy winners of the lower secondary school category from SMK Seri Kledang.

Some entries were even accompanied by musical tracks meant to enhance the atmosphere of their pieces.

Officiated by state executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, it was held at the state secretariat building’s multipurpose hall on July 21.

SJK(C) Shing Chung, Sungai Siput clinched the primary school prize, while SMK Seri Kledang took the lower secondary school and SMJK Hua Lian, Taiping, the upper secondary category.

The winners of each category will represent the state in the national level competition that will be held in Johor Baru at the end of September.

Chinese literature: Dr Mah (fourth from left) at the launch of a book by Shan Cheng Poets Association president Mok Soon Sang (fourth right) before the Chinese poetry recital competition.

In a speech before the competition, Dr Mah applauded the organisers, the Ipoh Shan Cheng Poets Association, for raising awareness on the Chinese language through the competition.

“This sort of event cultivates an interest in the language and strengthens it in our current society.

“Students who are not fluent in the language can also use these events to brush up their proficiency in it,” he said.

Dr Mah added that organisers of similar events could seek permission to use the state secretariat building’s multipurpose hall.