A scene from the movie 'Malbatt: Misi Bakara', which highlighted the bravery of Malaysian UN Peacekeepers during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. Photo: Handout
PEOPLE LIBRARY: 'STORIES FROM MALAYSIAN UN PEACEKEEPERS'
Venue: Taman Tugu Nursery, Kuala Lumpur
Date: May 26, 9am
Many Malaysians have probably seen the movies Black Hawk Down and Malbatt: Misi Bakara.
This Sunday morning at the Taman Tugu Nursery, the public will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from the men who participated in the rescue of US forces during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in October 1993.
The story behind the Battle of Mogadishu is one of the highlights in the upcoming People Library series, titled "Stories From Malaysian UN Peacekeepers".
It is being held in conjunction with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
Other stories highlight Malaysian UN Peacekeepers in East Timor, Iraq, Congo, and Western Sahara.
The People Library is organised by the Friends of Taman Tugu. Free admission.
More info here.
TALK SERIES: MEDICINAL CURES AND BEAUTY AIDS IN THE MALAY TRADITION
Venue: Badan Warisan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Date: May 25, 11am
When confronted with pain, we instinctively reach for remedies that are familiar to us, often handed down through generations by family, friends, and tradition.
In this Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) talk series, Zuraidah Ghani will discuss medicinal cures and beauty aids in the Malay tradition, highlighting the rich heritage and practices passed down through generations that utilise natural ingredients and time-honored techniques.
Zuraidah, a long-time BWM member and heritage lover, developed an interest in antiques at an early age and has amassed a significant collection over the years. Her pride and joy is her collection of betel boxes and related paraphernalia associated with the tradition of betel chewing. In 2016, she published a book titled "A Bugis Family," chronicling her family's history across several generations.
This is a ticketed event, register here.
More info here.
A view of public talk at the Rumah Attap Library in the Zhongshan building in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Rumah Attap Library
ARCHIVAL DIALOGUES: DIGITAL ARCHIVING
Venue: Rumah Attap Library, Zhongshan Building, KL
Date: May 25, 8pm
In collaboration with the Freedom Film Fest, Goethe-Institut Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia Design Archive, this public sharing session explores the journeys and unique challenges of digital archiving.
Panelists from Arkib Filem Rakyat, Malaysia Design Archive, and Archives New Zealand will present their distinct perspectives on the digital preservation of cultural and historical artefacts. They will reflect on their thematic focus while addressing the challenges posed by rapidly advancing technologies.
The panelists include Brenda Danker, co-founder of Freedom Film Network, Ezrena Marwan, co-founder of Malaysia Design Archive, and Joshua Ng, digital preservation analyst. Free admission.
More info here.
Riwayat bookshop is hosting a book sale event from veteran poet and writer Raja Ahmad Aminullah's private collection. Photo: Riwayat
BOOK EVENT: RAJA AHMAD AMINULLAH'S PRIVATE COLLECTION SALE
Venue: Riwayat, Jalan Tun HS Lee, Kuala Lumpur
Date: May 25-27
Independent bookshop Riwayat will be hosting the sale of poet, writer and cultural activist Raja Ahmad Aminullah's (better known as Pak Engku) private collection.
Book enthusiasts can anticipate a diverse selection of hard-to-find titles, acquired during his travels through the years. The private collection spans several decades and includes books (various genres and themes, especially literature and arts books), paintings, and ephemera.
This event will take place over three days, starting today, within the Riwayat workspace.
Free admission event.
More info here.
MUSIC TALK: "RAYA MUSIC AND MALAYSIA"
Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya
Date: May 26, 3pm
Temu House's exhibition Nukilan Lagu Raya (The Lagu Raya Songbook) has been a celebration of art and live music performances.
This Sunday, the exhibition ends with a public session, inviting history enthusiasts and music fans for an insightful discussion, exploring the connections between the Hari Raya songbook genre and the socio-economic history of the nation.
The talk will be like a "guided tour," featuring a conversation between arts practitioner Marina Tan and ethnomusicologist-author Associate Professor Dr Raja Iskandar Raja Halid, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Technology & Heritage at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.
The session will be moderated by Sharmin Parameswaran, curator of Temu House. Admission is free.
More info here.
A view of photographer SC Shekar's 'Sacred Currents' exhibition at the Harta Space gallery. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
PHOTOGRAPHY: SC SHEKAR'S ‘SACRED CURRENTS’
Venue: Harta Space, Ampang Point, Selangor
Date: ends June 2
During the height of the 2020 pandemic, blue skies and clear rivers thrived with life as human activity ceased, allowing ecosystems to flourish. Inspired by this transformation, veteran photographer SC Shekar documented Malaysia’s diverse rivers and riverine habitats, capturing their newfound vitality.
The photojournalist, who started his career in the late 1970s, travelled across the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak, capturing the stunning beauty and intricate waters of the country from the vantage point of a helicopter.
For photography fans, the Sacred Currents exhibition, featuring 30 black-and-white works, vividly illustrates the transformative power of nature when left undisturbed, demonstrating that reversing decades of ecological damage is possible through collective effort.
Admission is free.
More info here.
