Students hold cultural mapping exhibition to help residents learn more about town

The Star, Friday March 20, 2015  

by farah fazanna zulzaha

IN AN effort to instil awareness on heritage buildings in Kajang, New Era College and Kajang Community Hub joined forces to organise the Kajang Cultural Mapping Exhibition at Shen Sze She Yar Temple recently.

Interesting: Visitors reading about the town’s history at the Kajang Community Hub gallery.

The two-day event featured a photography exhibition on Kajang’s famous food stalls and traders, traditional games for children and adults as well as a heritage walk around town. 

Visitors also learnt about the town’s history at the Kajang Community Hub gallery located adjacent to the temple.

New Era College student Yeo Wan Ting, who organised the event, said the programme was the first of its kind to create awareness on the rich heritage of the satay town.

“Not many people are aware of Kajang’s cultural heritage. The town is rich in history and hopefully the visitors had learnt a lot during their visit,” she said.

Yeo added that 20 students from the Media Studies and Arts and Design faculties helped to make the event a success.

Step right in: ‘Cikgu Lee’ (in blue) showing visitors around the Shen Sze She Yar Temple.

“It is part of our syllabus but we hope to organise such an event again next year,” she said, adding that they targeted at least 500 visitors to attend the exhibition.

Visitors were able to learn more about the history of Kajang-grown businesses that have flourished even after a few generations, such as the bookstore and stationery shop Czip Lee.

One of the attractions was the photography exhibition put up by the students. It showcased photos of famous Kajang landmarks and portraits of Kajang folk.

The traditional games were popular among children as they battled each other in rounds of Coconut Shell Walk and spinning gasing (tops).

Visitors also enjoyed the heritage walk organised by the Kajang Community Hub, where they walked around town to visit the historical buildings in town.

For technician Lew Yuan Ki, the exhibition was interesting and educational.

“I did not realise that Kajang is full of history. It is good to have such events so that Kajang residents can appreciate what they have,” said Lew, who came with his family.

Heritage art: A visitor taking a photo of a mural in front of the Kajang Community Hub gallery.

Meanwhile, sound engineer Alif Amir said he enjoyed the history lesson at the Kajang Community Hub with his family.

“There are many things that I did not know about Kajang, despite having lived here for five years. My family and I truly enjoyed our visit,” he said.

The Star, Tuesday October 30, 2012

‘Ancient Chinese scholars’ come alive at gallery

Intellectual pastime: Actors (from left) Lee Jin Khiong, Teh, Teong Chooi Tim and Chin Wei Haw playing their roles as ancient Chinese characters during the launching of the Chinese Calligraphy Stone Gallery at Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih.

 

SEMENYIH: Drinking “wine” and reciting poetry by a stream, four men dressed as ancient Chinese scholars drew the attention of onlookers as they re-enacted a slice of life from the centuries-old Dong Jin dynasty.

Their little sketch put a smile on the face of visitors at the newly launched Chinese Calligraphy Stone Gallery while others took the opportunity to snap pictures with them.

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who launched the gallery on Sunday, seemed amused as well as he paused to watch them.

The actors were portraying four of the 42 scholars from the Chinese dynasty, dating as early as 317 A.D. in the gallery at the Nirvana Memorial Garden here.

“History has it that these scholars liked to gather at the Zhe Jiang stream during festivals. They would play this game whereby a cup filled with wine is placed on the stream. A scholar has to recite a poem if the cup floats towards him,” said NV Multi Asia Group public affairs and special project chief operating officer Datuk Freddy Chan.

He said if the scholar failed to recite a poem, he would have to drink the wine in the cup as a form of penalty.

Chan said the actors put up the play in order to educate visitors who thronged the gallery.

One of the actors, Derrick Teh, 38, said he was proud to be presenting a part of Chinese history and culture to the public.

“I hope people will learn from our portrayal that the Chinese scholars were not just drinking for fun. They used it as an exercise to improve their skills in poetry and literature,” he said, adding that the actors drank mineral water instead of wine to re-enact the scene.

The gallery is open to public every day from 8am to 5pm. Admission is free.