Gombak Cultural Group Shines At Folklore World Cup In Italy

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Gombak Cultural Group from the Gombak District Education Office (PPD) has once again made history by achieving outstanding success at the World Cup of Folklore Jesolo 2025 in Jesolo, Italy.

The joyous news was shared by one of the accompanying teachers, Mira Masmira, via her Facebook page, expressing gratitude for the Malaysian team's stellar performance in the prestigious competition.

The group, comprising students from various schools in the Gombak district, competed in six categories and successfully brought home four championship titles and two runner-up finishes through a variety of traditional and contemporary cultural art performances.

Among the championship-winning performances were the ‘Sewang’ and ‘Kuda Kepang’ dances in the children's and youth categories, ‘Silat Tari Inai’ for the adult category, and a performance titled ‘Balqis’ - a blend of singing and Samrah dance - presented by a mixed group of youth and adults.

Meanwhile, the runner-up awards were earned through the ‘Magunatip’ dance performance in the adult category and the Malaysian Art Dance - which showcased a combination of Chinese dance, Zapin, and contemporary ‘Inang’ - in the children and youth category.

The competition, held from May 23 to 26, was organised by the European Association of Folklore Festivals and saw participation from 152 groups worldwide.

In 2023, the group was named runner-up at the World Cup of Folklore Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, the mother of two young participants from SK Taman Melawati, Nur Hidayah Jaafar, 38, described her daughters’ success on the international stage as an extraordinary and unexpected experience.

She said the pride and gratitude she felt was indescribable upon seeing her daughters - Audrey Anna Makeen Abdullah Mus’ab, 12, and Afraa Allyse Manaheel Abdullah Mus’ab, 11 - who had only joined the group this year, shine on the international stage.

“I never imagined they would have the chance to represent the country on a global stage, let alone return with a win. It’s a truly meaningful experience and a lifelong memory for our whole family,” she said.

-- BERNAMA