More than 100 people gathered in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, for the Merdeka Bazaar 2026 art festival held at Galeri Seni Raja Shahriman in Bukit Chandan. The event featured a range of activities designed to engage the community in creative expression, including sketching sessions, workshops, and art classes.
A notable aspect of the festival was the inclusion of 30 orphaned and underprivileged children who participated in "Tikar Art," a hands-on activity that used traditional mats as a medium for artistic exploration. Participants focused on patterns, forms, and colors to create their own interpretations. Datin Puteri Julie Aziz, the event director and chairman, emphasized that the activity was intended to provide opportunities for children from less privileged backgrounds to learn, express themselves, and build confidence through art. She described the festival’s theme, "Merdeka Through Art, Creativity and Community," as an approach that encouraged art to be an interactive and participatory experience rather than merely something to observe.
The program also featured a "Bicara Seni" session led by prominent visual artist and sculptor Raja Shahriman Raja Aziddin. Approximately 85 school students attended, engaging directly with the creative process through discussions, sketching, and other art-related activities. Erry Arham Azmi, curator of the Balai Seni Negara’s Ipoh branch, provided insights on the role of art institutions in broadening public access to the visual arts, highlighting the importance of fostering community engagement.
In her opening remarks, Raja Dr Elina Raja Aziddin, founder of Pelita Hati Art Gallery, highlighted the unifying power of art and its ability to inspire confidence and unlock potential among young people. She stressed that Merdeka Bazaar 2026 aimed to move beyond passive viewing, encouraging visitors to actively participate and create, framing the freedom to create as a vital element of the Merdeka spirit.
Local dignitaries were also present, including Orang Besar Jajahan Kuala Kangsar Toh Maharaja Indera Datuk Dr Khairil Anuar Arshad and district deputy education officer Khairulamri Sulaiman, who underscored the event’s significance in fostering community engagement through the arts.