The Boria Festival that will be held in Penang from tomorrow (July 12) to Sunday will bring together diverse performers to symbolise the state’s rich history and culture.
National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) deputy director-general Rosnan Nordin said the festival aimed to elevate the folk art form into a hallmark of Penang’s cultural identity.
“Boria originated from Iran and Egypt in the 19th century, and flourished in Penang,” he said.
He noted how boria had evolved into a dynamic genre, blending poetry, dance, acting and singing.
A boria group from Methodist Girls’ School during the final of the Jaguh Boria 2022 competition at Dewan Budaya in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. — Filepic
With today’s boria storylines crafted to reflect current issues, the form has become a popular choice for art and heritage- related events.
This year’s boria will coincide with the Penang Craft Festival that is on until July 27 at the Seberang Perai Arena Convention Centre in Seberang Jaya, Perai.
On the Boria Festival, Rosnan said it would feature competitions, discussions and symposiums with key boria figures.
It will also serve as a talent scouting platform for boria performers.
Regarding the competition, Rosnan said it had an open category and one for children.
So far, 20 boria teams from across the country have registered to participate.
“What’s interesting about the festival is that it will highlight cultural heritage and also create economic opportunities for the local community as well as boria performers,” he said on Bernama TV.
The festival will feature several popular artistes, including Wan Naqiuddin Mohd Najib, popularly known as Naqiu Boboy.
Wan Naqiuddin will join the festivities alongside a vibrant procession of participants in colourful costumes in trishaws.
“This boria procession has actually been around for a long time,” said Rosnan.
“Through this festival, we aim to reintroduce it to the public, particularly the younger generation, so they can understand the true culture of boria,” he said.
Teams interested in participating in the boria competition can call JKKN Penang at 04-281 7791 or visit JKKN Penang’s website or Facebook page.
