The month-long festival will exhibit the works of more than 200 artists from 12 local associations, with a performance staged at night at Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA, according to Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Consultative Council chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

“Apart from local performers, we have troupes from India, Thailand, China, Taiwan and Japan this year.

“We will also have a bazaar for local artists to market their products,” she said at a press conference yesterday.

A brainchild of Chew, who is MCA vice-president, the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia began in 2016 as a platform for Malaysian artists and performers to showcase their talents.

They are welcome to use the stage as well as the exhibition space for free, and raise funds by selling their art and tickets.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister II, lauded those present for their contribution to arts in Malaysia.

“Many civilisations have been judged based on the importance they placed on culture and the arts. In fact, culture helps pass down moral values to future generations.

“I want to congratulate the arts associations which have worked so hard over the years to preserve our culture and pass on good values to the new generation,” he said in his speech.

Ong added that many social ills, such as the recent spate of money games, could have been prevented if society embraced culture and arts.

“I have spoken to many youths and advised them to stay away from money games, but they just don’t listen.

“They are convinced that these get-rich-quick schemes work.

“If their time is spent on arts and cultural activities, they would be able to think rationally and perhaps, this would not have happened,” he said.

A symposium on culture and the creative arts industry themed “Powering a high-income economy through culture and arts” will be held on June 24 and 25 as a curtain-raiser to the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia.

The symposium is jointly organised by the Malaysian Chinese Cultural and Arts Consultative Council, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, the Malaysian Institute of Art, the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Photographic Society as well as National Taiwan Normal University.

Visit www.blossomartsfestival.my or call 03-2203 3971/3979 to register. Admission is free.