On Sunday morning, I bought a newspaper which had on it's front page a picture and report of the glamourous Citrawarna Malaysia 2008 event which was held in Putrajaya. The obviously colourful event featured no less than1,600 performers, a grand fireworks display and a host of VIPs in color-coordinated pink batik.
I would like to pose a simple question to the Ministry of Tourism - how does an event like this actually benefit tourism in the country?
Does Citrawarna Malaysia give local and foreign tourists practical and applicable information about what to do, where to go or how to do any of the interesting activities available in Malaysia? Are the organisers of the event even clear about what it is they are actually trying to promote?
The pictures I saw of the 1,600 dancers were extremely colourful. But does the event even accomplish giving an accurate depiction of the traditional dances of the country, or are we guilty of ‘bastardising’ our own cultural traditions for the sake of pomp and pageantry?
After careful reading of the newspaper report, I discovered that the theme of this event (the 10 th annual edition, no less) was ‘the Kingdom of Flora and Fauna’ and to this end there were electronic butterflies and birds and bamboo in some kind of light show.
If they are trying to promote culture, where is it we can go and see, learn and understand this culture? Might I dare to suggest that for a tiny fraction of the budget spent on Citrawarna, this country could have funded a host of community-based dance and music schools with their own permanent performance spaces.
If they are trying to promote nature, perhaps instead of ‘electronic butterflies’ we could do simple things like repair the bathrooms and clean up the rubbish at any of our public picnic areas in the country. That way, Malaysians and visitors alike won't be disgusted or get sick when we go and experience the wonders of Malaysia's unique natural environment.
It seems to me that this Citrawarna event reflects the fundamental inability of this political administration to think of grassroots activities which will bring about simple and effective solutions.
Instead the entire focus - and not to forget the money - is devoted to a celebration of pomp and vanity. Don't they get it? As a Malaysian, I don't relate or have the slightest emotional connection to 1,600 dancers in bright rayon performing gyrations that ‘somewhat’ resemble traditional dance.
I do, however, relate to all those passionate dance teachers who organise classes in their houses and struggle to raise funds to put on a public performance.
The newspaper report stated that the event kicked off the two-week long school holidays. How nice for the school students of the country to be given such an expensive reminder just in case the forgot they are actually on holiday and made their way to school last Monday.
