Come and experience the magic of Kelantanese puppet-shadow play at the Festival Wayang Kulit Kelantan (FWKK) which is scheduled to take place from Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2025 at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara), Kuala Lumpur.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), through the National Heritage Department (JWN), in collaboration with Aswara and Titih Warisan Association as the main strategic partner, this year’s FWKK is held in conjunction with the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (IDICH) 2025, celebrated globally on October 17.
The IDICH celebration, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (Unesco), marks the second edition since it was officially declared in 2024.
The celebration aims to raise global awareness of the importance of safeguarding and appreciating intangible cultural heritage, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and traditional craftsmanship. Unesco encourages participation from member states of the 2003 ICH Convention, local communities, cultural institutions, educational bodies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in this meaningful global event.
The Festival Wayang Kulit Kelantan aligns with the National Cultural Policy (DAKEN) under the pillars of High-Value Culture, Conservation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and Cultural Excellence.
The FWKK 2025 festival is supported by various government agencies and private sectors such as the Malaysian Museums Department (JMM), Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), National Art Gallery, Sunway University, Malaysian National Commission for Unesco, Pusaka and Datum Jelatek.
Malaysia has been a state party to the Unesco 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage since July 27, 2013. Malaysia currently holds a seat on the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2022–2026).
The main objective of FWKK is to promote and elevate Wayang Kulit Kelantan, recognized as a national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), and in conjunction with its nomination to Unesco in 2024. Wayang Kulit Kelantan is expected to be inscribed by Unesco in 2026, coinciding with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 initiative.
The festival will also elevate Wayang Kulit Kelantan as a performing art that symbolizes Malaysia’s identity and cultural heritage so that this art can be recognized nationally and internationally, while fostering collaboration among government agencies, private sectors, universities, schools, practitioners and local communities as part of the safeguarding plan for this traditional art form.
The Festival Wayang Kulit Kelantan 2025 plays a strategic role in strengthening Malaysia’s cultural identity and boosting domestic tourism. It serves not only as a platform to promote local performing arts but also to encourage multi-sector cooperation in the development of culture and tourism.
The three-day festival highlights include:
- Wayang Kulit performances: traditional, modern, experimental and educational versions.
- Workshops: Crafting musical instruments and shadow puppets (traditional and modern techniques).
- Conservation workshops: Restoration of shadow puppets using conservation methods.
- Competitions: University performances, serunai playing, puppet carving, and painting.
- Interactive sessions: “Be a Tok Dalang” / “Try Shadow Puppetry”.
- Knowledge sharing forums: Safeguarding Plan for Wayang Kulit Kelantan and its evolution.
Through the festival, the preservation and protection of Wayang Kulit Kelantan will be further strengthened, fostering community connection through a traditional art form that represents our shared identity.
