Since 2014, the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival has been Malaysia’s largest free-for-all arts festival, presented by Yayasan Sime Darby and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). In 2023, the festival returned after a five-year hiatus, embracing the theme Shout it Out: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.
Open to all ages, the 2023 festival showcased over 350 performances and activities, ranging from traditional to contemporary arts, including hands-on workshops, film screenings, art installations, and more. The event highlighted inclusivity, with efforts to make the festival accessible to all, including the Deaf community.
MyBIM was proud to participate in YSDAF 2023, with the Deaf performance team Kikazaru presenting Deafhood on 19 and 20 August 2023. The performance featured three Deaf performers: Harry Chong, Wai Ling, and Gejaletchumi, with support from Jasmin and Han Pang, under the mentorship of Jessica Mak.
Deafhood explored the experiences of Deaf individuals across different time periods, illustrating their daily lives and how they navigate relationships, communication, and accessibility within a hearing world. At the end of the performance, the audience engaged in an interactive session to learn BIM (Malaysian Sign Language), fostering a deeper connection with Deaf culture.
YSDAF 2023 not only celebrated the arts but also promoted understanding and appreciation of Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry, including the unique experiences of the Deaf community.
Leave a Reply