Wayang Pacak Rekindles Memories, Brings Generations Together

KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The familiar sight of rows of chairs facing a white screen under the night sky brought back memories of wayang pacak, once a popular form of entertainment in villages, at a National Month programme organised by the Terengganu Journalists Club (KAWAT).

The programme, held in a relaxed setting, offered more than an outdoor film screening, bringing generations together while giving those familiar with wayang pacak a chance to revisit fond memories of their younger days.

KAWAT president Ahmad Syafri Husnaini Mohamad said the programme was part of the club’s efforts to bring the community together while enlivening National Month celebrations through an activity centred on nostalgia and togetherness.

“The programme aims to foster patriotism among the community, particularly the younger generation, as well as a love for peace and the country. We want to recreate the wayang pacak experience, which was once a popular form of entertainment.

“At the same time, the programme offers a relaxed and community-oriented way to celebrate National Month through the screening of a patriotic film for the public,” he told reporters after the ‘Wayang Pacak Ayuh Semarakkan Bulan Kemerdekaan’ programme at the Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) field here last night.

Ahmad Syafri Husnaini said wayang pacak had a special appeal as it brought people of all ages together to interact and spend time with one another.

“In an era when entertainment is readily accessible through smartphones and streaming platforms, wayang pacak offers a different experience by bringing people together to sit side by side, share stories and enjoy a film in the open air.

“The programme also shows that nostalgia still has a place in society and can be revived in ways that appeal to today’s generation, while helping to keep the spirit of National Month alive,” he said.

Among the audience was 58-year-old Razali Abd Rahman, who said that the evening was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, bringing back memories of watching wayang pacak as a child.

“I used to watch wayang pacak when I was a child. Back then, we would sit together with our neighbours and friends, so a programme like this makes me feel as though I have gone back to those days and relive the nostalgia,” he said.

Hazwani Nuh, 32, said watching wayang pacak in the open air offered a different experience from watching a film at the cinema.

“This is my first time watching wayang pacak. It is interesting because the atmosphere is different from watching a film at the cinema. People sit together, chat and enjoy the screening in a relaxed setting,” she said.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Muhammad Syauqi Arman Azizul said he had only heard his parents talk about wayang pacak before getting the chance to experience it for himself at the programme.

“I had only heard stories from my parents about wayang pacak. After experiencing it myself, I now understand why this form of entertainment holds such fond memories for older generations,” he said.

Retired civil servant Zaliha Othman, 60, said the choice of a patriotic film was particularly appropriate during the National Month celebrations.

“The patriotic film helps to foster a stronger sense of love for the country during National Month.

“Children today may never have experienced anything like this, so programmes like this give them an opportunity to discover a form of entertainment enjoyed by previous generations,” she said.

-- BERNAMA