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Malaysia, Singapore mark 50-year relationship with cross-border cultural fest
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (left) and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong during the launch of Titian Budaya at Publika mall in Kuala Lumpur today. The leaders say they look forward to greater cooperation in the future. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, November 20, 2015.Malaysia and Singapore marked 50 years of diplomatic ties today with the launch of a 3-month-long cross-border arts and cultural festival featuring some 400 artistes from both countries.
Titian Budaya, which means "cultural bridge" in Malay, will see scores of events, performances and exhibitions conducted in Kuala Lumpur in what is the "largest ever arts event between Singapore and Malaysia", Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the Publika shopping mall today where the festival was kicked off.
Lee, who was in Kuala Lumpur for the Asean summit this weekend, said the event was a timely recognition of the two countries' close ties.
Malaysia and Singapore's 50-year diplomatic relationship has been marked by a grudging tolerance of each other at best, and outright diplomatic rows at worst.
But both leaders today acknowledged an era of closer bilateral relationships and said they looked forward to greater cooperation in the future.
"In the 50 years of our history, there have been up and down moments," said Lee.
"But through it all, we have maintained, deepened and broadened our relationship and interdependence."
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he believed the festival would draw on the "abundant cultural heritage" of both countries.
"Both our countries have reached a stage of development where I believe we can appreciate the finer things such as arts and culture, and it is encouraging to see the younger generation so keen on pursuing this," he said.
Titian Budaya launches with a weekend carnival at Publika where four events – an art exhibition, bazaar, music performances and live animation concert – will transform the mall into a cultural playground.
A multicultural concert of Malaysian and Singaporean musicians is scheduled for December at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, where music of the legendary late P. Ramlee will feature alongside a mix of traditional and contemporary compositions.
For more information about Titian Budaya, including details of events, programmes and performances as well as ticketing prices, please visit www.titianbudayasg.com. – November 20, 2015.
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