Kuala Lumpur, 20 February 2025 – The Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) is back! Celebrating ten years of championing the arts, this special anniversary edition takes on a heartfelt theme: Community Side by Side, with an entirely new look and format.

Presented by Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), with support from Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad, Sime Darby Property Berhad, and for the first time, the MADANI Government under Belanjawan 2025, this milestone edition kicks off in February.

With years of dedicated advocacy by klpac and YSD for inclusivity and sustainability in the arts, the MADANI Government’s support comes as the festival celebrates a decade-long legacy of bringing arts to Malaysians through its commitment to the MADANI principle of Daya Cipta (or Innovation). By fostering creativity and innovation, YSDAF contributes to economic growth through job opportunities, enhances education through arts exposure, strengthens community ties, and preserves cultural heritage, ensuring a thriving and accessible arts scene for all.

With years of dedicated advocacy by klpac and YSD for inclusivity and sustainability in the arts, the Government’s support for this festival reflects

This year, YSDAF is doing things a little differently as the team will be bringing the festival to your doorstep.

Bringing the Arts Closer to Home - Staying True to its Roots
Broadening its geographical reach this year, YSDAF 2025 will journey through 10 locations in Peninsular Malaysia from quaint kampungs to bustling cities. This multi-location approach holds up the festival’s mission to break down barriers, make the arts more accessible, and empower Malaysians to be a part of Malaysian arts.

Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican, Executive Producer of klpac and YSDAF shared, “Like before, there will be a variety of offerings, from the traditional to the contemporary, dance to theatre. YSDAF 2025 sends a strong message and is not just about showcasing the arts but about driving home that the arts belong to all Malaysians. Whether in the kampung or the cities, it is an invitation to come together, to share, and to experience the beauty and power of creativity in all its forms.”

Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of YSD, expressed, “We are truly excited to be going on our first ever YSDAF tour around Peninsular Malaysia – from the North to the South, and East to the West.

With over 130 arts activities in Kedah, Pahang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur, each locale will host a tailored mix of performances and workshops to engage and inspire Malaysians from all walks of life. Beyond expanding the geographical reach, YSDAF 2025 is making the arts accessible, regardless of physical limitations or abilities, for a truly inclusive experience. Similar to every YSDAF held since 2014, the 5th edition of the festival will also generate employment opportunities; this year creating over 1,000 jobs for local arts workers and artistes, catalysing both cultural and economic growth.”

Kampung Tour at 7 Locations
For the first time in 10 years, folks beyond Klang Valley will be able to sample a slice of the YSDAF experience as the team heads out to various schools and communities out of state from April through May.

Some will have the opportunity to be among the premiere audience of “Dollah”, a Bahasa Malaysia play about a headmaster told through the eyes of his son, which was written by Arsyad Azrai and directed by Christopher Ling. Others will have the chance to experience an immersive choral experience “Spice, Magic & Mystique” by the award-winning Young KL Singers, directed by Ian Chow, as well as benefit from an educational theatre showcase by the KL Shakespeare Players.

Shows aside, they will be able to participate in drum-making using recycled materials and a community drum circle by The Colours of Sound, as well as traditional and modern dance workshops by ASK Dance Company (ADC).

Human library interviews will be conducted at each stop under “Ceritaku” to turn these real-life experiences into a performance that will premiere at the Urban Tour, connecting communities across Peninsular Malaysia.

Urban Tour at 3 Locations
From June, YSDAF 2025 will continue with the Urban Tour segment at three locations, KL East Mall, PARC, and Elmina Lakeside Mall.

Urban audiences will have the chance to experience highlights from the Kampung Tour such as “Spice, Magic & Mystique” along with a buffet of bite-sized performances across various genres. Of course, the YSDAF experience is not complete without its popular hands-on workshops, community drum circles, and ecozone booths where you can pick up a skill or create art and a memorable experience.

The highlights of YSDAF 2025 are three site-specific works that have been commissioned for the festival. In addition, the festival will debut three new works under Pitch Start involving Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). An open call for submissions will begin soon for Pitch Start.

YSDAF 2025 will culminate in August, at Elmina Lakeside Mall featuring an assortment of performances for every attendee, including street performers for children as well as buskers and bands for music enthusiasts.

Programme partners for YSDAF 2025 include Orang Orang Drum Theatre, MyDance Alliance and Soundscape Records.

As the only festival in Malaysia to have its crew undergo Disability Equality Training (DET) and Disability Related Services Training (DRST), YSDAF 2025 continues this tradition to be inclusive and welcoming.

Since 2014, the biennial arts festival has been a staple in the Malaysian arts calendar, bringing almost 1,500 arts activities free of charge to 63,000 Malaysians over four successful editions. YSDAF 2025 builds on this track record with aims to expand its reach further to more communities, in celebration of the ‘arts for all’ spirit.

Whether you are a passionate art enthusiast or just curious to explore something new, you’re warmly invited to be part of this incredible journey. And the best part, it is free for all. YSDAF 2025 will be a celebration of unity, creativity, and the shared experiences that bring Malaysians closer together. Let’s come together, side by side, for the arts.

For the latest updates and schedules, follow YSDAF on social media or visit www.ysdartsfestival.com.my.