Tan says preserving Malaysia’s intangible heritage is as crucial as safeguarding physical heritage.
THE Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition is back for its 23rd edition, inviting young Malaysian artists to honour the nation’s rich cultural history with their creativity.
This year’s theme, “Malaysian Heritage,” focuses on Malaysia’s intangible cultural treasures, echoing its recent inclusion in Unesco’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (IGCICH) for 2022-2026.
Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition chairman Henry Tan said that our intangible cultural heritage encompassed the knowledge, skills, stories and traditions passed down through generations.
“While buildings and monuments are preserved, our intangible heritage like oral traditions, performing arts, and traditional crafts often fade.
“Preserving these traditions is as crucial as safeguarding physical heritage for the future,” he said.The annual competition is open to emerging young Malaysian talents in schools and especially those in universities and colleges in Malaysia.
There are five categories of artwork: charcoal or pencil or oil pastel or ink; mixed media; oil or acrylic; printmaking; and watercolours.
Participants can submit as many entries as they like and participate in more than one category.
The first-prize winner in each category will receive RM8,000, the runner-up will receive RM3,000, the third-prize winner will receive RM2,000. There are two consolation prizes of RM500 each.
In addition, all winners will receive an award certificate and RM500 worth of TGV Cinemas vouchers.
The deadline for registration is Sept 30 and the final artwork submission deadline is Oct 9.
For more information on this year’s competition including how to register and participate, visit the competition’s website at www.usahategasheritage.org.my
