JOHOR BARU: The skies above Bukit Layang-Layang were filled with vibrant colours and awe-inspiring shapes as the Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival 2025 welcomed international kite enthusiasts.
This year, special focus was placed on marine conservation with participants worldwide showcasing kites designed in the likeness of endangered sea animals, including sea turtles, seahorses and manta rays.
The annual festival took on a new dimension as participants used their art to raise awareness about ocean conservation.
Spectators marvelled at the breathtaking kites that displayed artistic craftsmanship and carried an important environmental message.
A first-time visitor to Pasir Gudang, Corrine Galadie, 58, from Saint Pierre, Reunion Island, unveiled a three-foot-long sea turtle kite, symbolising the plight of the species due to pollution and habitat destruction.
“Kites are a universal language. Through this festival, we hope to inspire people to protect our oceans and marine life.
“Sea turtles are highly protected sea animals in Reunion Island. We hope this will instil awareness of the importance of animal protection,” she said in an interview.
Joining her was Jean Louis Castanier, 64, who brought six inflatable sea turtle kites and 200 paper kites for the children’s kite-making workshops.
“Sea turtles are often overlooked, but they are vital to marine ecosystems. I hope my kite sparks curiosity and encourages more people to learn about their importance,” he said.
Another participant, Joe Gould from Scotland, said governments need to walk the talk when it comes to protecting marine life so that future generations could inherit a cleaner environment.
“I think governments all around the world need to pay serious attention, especially to marine life conservation.
“Even today, we can see trash and plastic bottles ending up in the ocean, so I believe we need more serious action to prevent our environment from deteriorating further.”
The 54-year-old added that he has been kiting ever since he was a child and had brought his 30-foot-long octopus and crab kites.
“I wanted to share the beauty of marine life with the people here. I hope to be invited again next year because I love the friendly people and local culture in Malaysia,” he said.
Sharing the same view was annual kite festival participant James A. Kekenusa, 68, from the Philippines, who brought his manta ray and hammerhead shark kites.
“This year’s festival also focuses on environmental conservation, so it was only natural for me to bring my two most famous kites.
“Last year, I only brought heart-shaped kites, so this year is a bit special. Unfortunately, the wind is quite unstable, so neither kite was able to fly,” he said.
As for Australians Michael George Alvares, 73, and Janet Ann Myers, 77, it was their 15th time participating in the festival.
This year, they brought 500 paper kites to be used in the children’s kite workshop.
“The most popular paper kite we have is the koala.
“We brought various Australian animal motif paper kites, including sea turtles, seahorses, kangaroos and frilled lizards.
“These are some of the protected animals in Australia. Since it is expensive to travel there, we thought we’d bring Australia to Malaysia and share information about them with the locals.
“So far, both kids and parents have been supportive, and we have received positive feedback on our kite workshops. We hope to bring another 600 paper kites next year,” said Janet.
The Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival, a flagship annual event in Johor since 1995, returns for its 27th edition at Bukit Layang-Layang, Taman Bandar.
The festival’s 2025 theme, “Stay Clean, Enjoy Fly”, encourages visitors and the community to maintain a clean environment while enjoying the art of kite flying.
