PENANG, 24 November 2016 - The dance theatre 'Hang Tuah and Puteri Gunung Ledang' which dramatises the love story between two individuals from Malacca (Hang Tuah) and Majapahit (Puteri Gunung Ledang) which ended under the order of the Sultan of Malacca of that period, was well-received at the ongoing International Arts Festival 2016 in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

The dance theatre performed by the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Adikarma Artistes Group under the Cultural Unit, USM Students Development and Alumni Affairs, happened to be the sole entry from a Malaysian university at the biennial festival which will go on from 21 to 26 November.

According to USM Senior Cultural Officer, Zulkifli Che Hussin, the 20 students were extended an invitation by the Jogjakarta Centre for Development and Training of Educators and Education in Arts and Culture (PPPPTK), under the purview of the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture for a cultural performance alongside other artistes from many other countries such as United States of America, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Ukraine and with Indonesia as the host.

Zulkifli said that, from their participation, they hope to get more creative ideas which could be applied and adapted at the university, in relation to developing the interest and talent in the arts among the students, who come from across disciplines studied at USM.

This performance is produced and directed by Hafiz Sani while Zulkifli Che Hussin serves as the Artistic and Lighting Director. It is choreographed by a third-year student from the USM School of Educational Studies, Jerry Yacob.

According to Jerry, this invaluable opportunity would be fully utilised to promote the culture of Malaysia at the international stage.

"This experience also serves as the best platform in looking at perfecting the means and techniques of promoting artistic and cultural works, in view of the host of this festival being actively and creatively involved in promoting cultural activities. This could assist the Adikarma Group in generating wonderful and exciting ideas in promoting arts and cultural activities at USM in the future," he added.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin