by HAZATUL SYIMA HARON / pics source: Think City

DOWNTOWN Kuala Lumpur (KL) is on its way to becoming a livelier place after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Think City launched Pentas Seni Merdeka on Saturday, July 16.

The monthly, free, public arts initiative aims to increase social equity through public space activation and further establishing Downtown KL in becoming a creative and cultural district.

The first of four more editions to come, July’s Pentas Seni Merdeka was held along KL’s Jalan Raja and against the iconic backdrop of Sultan Abdul Samad Building, DBKL City Theatre and the old High Court Building.

This month’s edition featured the Ronggeng Melayu dance and art form, workshopped and curated by Nusantara Performing Arts Research Centre, which received an encouraging response from the many attending dignitaries and Malaysians from all walks of life.

The inaugural event also featured other activities such as performances from the DBKL Combo & Cultural Artists, terrarium-making workshops, local snacks shops, food trucks and many more.

Co-organised by Think City and DBKL, the next editions of Pentas Seni Merdeka will be held on every second Saturday of the month — with the second edition on Sept 10, followed by subsequent editions on Oct 8, Nov 12 and Dec 10.

Each edition will feature different traditional art forms and experiences for visitors.

Injecting Life into KL’s Hidden Gems

Over the last decade, the government and the private sector have worked hand-in-hand to unearth and inject life into KL’s hidden gems. Aside from various infrastructure and connectivity projects such as the River of Life, DBKL is collaborating with Think City to support the renewal and regeneration of Downtown KL.

KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said there is a compelling case that creative and cultural activities and infrastructure are essential in creating a more vibrant city.

Not only does it bring people together, but such content also sparks partnerships and dialogue, fuels local economies and encourages the transformation of a city.

“Hence, DBKL is actively reactivating KL with key partners like Think City in one of their many efforts like Pentas Seni Merdeka post pandemic and hopes to see more collaborative efforts implemented to make our public spaces welcoming to and representative of Malaysians of all backgrounds.”

These efforts are beginning to bear fruit and attract more people to frequent Downtown KL with improved amenities and services, upgraded walkways and laneways, and other attractions such as Instagram-worthy giant murals at the Masjid Jamek lookout point at the River of Life site and chic cafes at pre-war shophouses and former brothels in Petaling Street such as Merchant’s Lane and Rust KL.

Hamdan (left) and Mahadi at the launch on Saturday. The former says Think City’s goal is to reposition the Downtown KL area as an iconic attraction with a focus on culture, arts, heritage, creativity and innovation

Downtown KL Grants

To support the vision of Downtown KL as a cultural and creative district, Think City launched the Downtown Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme in 2021 to empower and improve quality of life for various communities, develop new experiences in the city centre through innovative content, and to transform and revitalise spaces using creative solutions.

Think City MD Hamdan Abdul Majeed said great public spaces happen through community-driven placemaking.

“These great places are the foundation of great communities, which in turn are the building blocks of a prosperous, equitable and resilient society. They’re a place where people meet and socialise.

“Part of making magnetic public spaces is through the integration of creative and cultural content. Studies show that investments in such content can improve street safety, provide tourism and jobs, and more. And I believe these basic factors will continue to become far more important as we progress as a nation.”

Hamdan said Think City’s goal is to reposition the Downtown KL area as an iconic attraction with a focus on culture, arts, heritage, creativity and innovation. This includes securing, activation and rehabilitating existing assets, while connecting to a broader network to stimulate new economic activity and improve liveability.

Think City, a unit of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is an impact organisation established in 2009 to create more sustainable and equitable places for the benefit of all.

Visit www.thinkcity.com.my/downtownkl for more details on the Downtown Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme.