KUALA LUMPUR: Sekolah Seni Malaysia Perak (SSeMP) won first prize at the Monolit International Festival in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday.
It was the first such win for a Malaysian arts school at an international event.
SSeMP’s performance of the Mek Mulung and Jikey dances, backed by traditional Malaysian instruments saw them grab the top honour in the festival’s Competition of Dance, Song, Musical Instruments and Original Genre competition.
The dance routines by five of SSeMP’s students, who were backed by the traditional drum and gong, also received a special prize for outstanding performance at the Nov 1 festival, which took place at Lloret de Mar.
The 14 year-olds competed against competitors from 26 countries in the competition, which focusses on preserving national cultures.
Destina Nashirma, one of the participants, told the New Straits Times that her biggest challenge was keeping the drum (Gendang) beat during their routine.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking, because I am more used to acting - but it was a fun experience.
“We did not go there to win, but I am glad we all did our best and it was indeed a sweet surprise with the win.
“The highlight of the competition was meeting new people from around the world and learning about their cultures,” she said when met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here last night.
Her teammates, Nur Alia Qistina Ali Toh, Muhammad Nurzekwan Nabil Rosli, Muhammad Afzan Zainuddin and Farisha Aqilahuda Mohamad Shafawi Bong, were also thrilled by their win and their five-day trip to Barcelona.
SSeMP senior assistant teacher of arts and culture, Zuraini Abdullah, said she hopes that the school’s win will create a positive impact for all arts schools in Malaysia.
She added that the win is also an international recognition for the participants, the school and the nation.
“The win gives us instant worldwide recognition for our country, especially our arts and culture.
“I was proud to show our culture in the form of dance, with the students playing traditional musical instruments,” she added.