HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival Seeks To Preserve Heritage, Engage Youth

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival is more than just a competition — it serves as a platform to celebrate and preserve Malaysia’s cultural heritage while cultivating interest in traditional poetry among the younger generation.

TV3 personality and pantun enthusiast Ahmad Fedtri Yahya said by making the event more fun and accessible, it can attract wider participation and dispel the notion that pantun is solely for formal contests.

“As someone passionate about pantun, I want to make it something enjoyable and vibrant. For me, it’s about instilling pride in our heritage. Many shy away from pantun when it’s seen purely as a competition,” he told Bernama.

“That’s why I brought my team — I’m the most senior, and I included young participants to give them exposure and experience,” he added.

Fedtri believes the festival will continue to attract more participants in future editions, as the public begins to appreciate its significance, demonstrating the organisers’ strong commitment to keeping the art of pantun alive.

“God willing, this competition will grow into a major platform. It offers an opportunity to nurture more young pantun talents,” said Fedtri, who attended the event in traditional Malay attire.

Meanwhile, Astro Radio News journalist Nurul Izzati, 31, expressed hope that the contest would become an annual event in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) to ensure the continued relevance of pantun among youth.

“This is my first time participating. I hope it continues in the coming years. Interest in pantun is waning, so we need to elevate it once again,” she said.

Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) TV3 producer Affiq Norshamsudin shared that his involvement stemmed from a deep appreciation for the art form, which he actively practised during his school and university days.

“I used to take part in pantun regularly, but work commitments made it difficult to continue. This competition gave me the chance to reconnect with something I truly love,” he said.

Affiq also commended the organisers and fellow participants, acknowledging the challenge of balancing the demands of media work with participation in cultural events.

“Getting eight teams together is already a great achievement, considering how hectic our schedules are. The level of commitment shown is very encouraging,” he said.

Held under the theme “Melayu Klasik Tradisional”, the HAWANA-DBP 2025 Pantun Festival is part of the HAWANA 2025 celebrations, which will take place from June 13 to 15. The highlight of the event, scheduled for June 14, is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The festival is organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), with the prize presentation also set for June 14.

-- BERNAMA