Prepare to explore Downtown Kuala Lumpur as the inaugural Kreatif KL Festival ignites the city’s historic core with history, architecture, communities and culture. Presented by DBKL and Think City, with support from the Ministry of Finance, this three-month-long festival promises over 100 vibrant events, from exhibitions, public art installations, fashion, performances to interactive tours and culinary experiences, all set against the backdrop of the city’s rich heritage.
Headline events include the KALAM: Confluence of Writers and Ideas, Membaur Bahasa Ideas, Pentas Seni Merdeka, the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial Companion Show (IOTA) 2024, and the World Premiere of SEKA. The festival will also highlight renowned filmmakers Tan Chui Mui and Amir Muhammad, installation works by Najib Bamadhaj, Fritilldea, Suzy Sulaiman, and Bono Stellar, as well as exhibitions curated by fashion icons Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran and Datuk Radzuan Radziwill. Talks by classical dancer Mavin Khoo, Michelin-starred chef Jimmy Ophorst, performance by Cambodian spoken word poet Kosal Khiev, and an exhibition by heritage expert John Ang will be featured as well. The festival also welcomes an Indonesian delegation, including renowned dance master Eko Supriyanto, visual artists A.Sebastianus, Meta Enjelita and Mulyana, and celebrated poet Goenawan Mohamad. Designed to offer something for everyone, the festival includes a wide range of activities for all ages.
Kreatif KL Festival is more than just an event-it’s a movement to rediscover and reimagine Downtown Kuala Lumpur. By inviting visitors to explore hidden gems and engage with the city’s history, the festival aims to place Downtown Kuala Lumpur on the global stage as a vibrant cultural destination.
Whether through large-scale installations or intimate performances, Kreatif KL Festival fosters a fresh perspective on the city’s spaces and stories, blending the old with the new. The festival encourages Malaysians and visitors to connect with the city’s cultural tapestry, ensuring Downtown Kuala Lumpur remains a livable and loveable destination.
Some must-see events include Arts On The Move at Masjid Jamek LRT and Pasar Seni MRT stations, The TAPAU Show Live at Semua House, the Augmented Reality Festival Kuala Lumpur, The Nyonya & Her Jewellery at Warong Old China as part of a series of Peranakan Events, Palm Practices at the Forest Learning Centre, Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kembara Stories by Project Future Malaysia, TWILIGHT at RXP Hall REXKL, Kwai Chai Hong’s Mid-Autumn art installation “Drama Queen”, PESZTA at Kampung Attap, Immersio at GMBB, KA.IN Festival at Semua House, a Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar at Menara Maybank, weekend marketplaces at Central Market, and more.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, said, “The Kreatif KL Festival serves as a key platform that not only celebrates Kuala Lumpur’s rich cultural heritage but also aligns with the Malaysia MADANI Economic Framework’s goals of inclusive and sustainable development. Enhancing Downtown KL into a thriving creative and cultural hub supports broader is part of our broader strategy to drive economic growth and elevate the liveability of our cities. Our ongoing commitment to positioning Kuala Lumpur as a global creative centre reflects our aim to transform public spaces into dynamic places, fostering innovation, and expanding creative infrastructure to make the city a key destination for both creative talents and businesses.”
Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Dato’ Seri TPr (Dr.) Maimunah Mohd Sharif said, “KL’s historical monuments and landmarks play a crucial role in shaping our culture, identity and success. The Kreatif KL Festival celebrates the city’s creative talent while promoting and supporting vibrant activities in Downtown KL. To enhance engagement and sustainability, we have formed a working committee to align creative content and launching KreatifKL.com as a collaborative platform for practitioners and businesses. This initiative will showcase our cultural assets, drive economic growth, and improve the quality of life, positioning Kuala Lumpur as a thriving creative city. A city must have a soul, and therefore Kuala Lumpur must have a soul through various activities, and of it is Kreatif KL Festival”.
Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City said, “After five years and a global pandemic, we are ready to advance the KLCCD Strategic Master Plan, thanks to support from Yayasan Hasanah, and the Ministry of Finance (MoF). With support from DBKL and the Prime Minister’s Department, alongside the MoF, our efforts to empower Downtown KL’s creative communities and institutionalise the masterplan are now coming to fruition. The Kreatif KL Festival exemplifies our collaboration with local and international artists, showcasing their work and positioning Kuala Lumpur as a growing creative hub in the region.”
The festival events will activate several key precincts including the Civic Precinct (Dataran Merdeka Heritage Area, Panggung Bandaraya), Traditional Shopping Precinct (Semua House), Heritage Triangle Precinct (Jalan Tun HS Lee, Jalan Tun Perak, Medan Pasar, Central Market), Petaling Street Area (Kwai Chai Hong), and Merdeka 118 Area (Kampung Attap).
Kreatif KL Festival is part of the city’s commitment to identifying, supporting, and celebrating creative talent from Malaysia and the region, while highlighting the architectural and historical significance of its buildings and sites. Curated by Think City and shaped by the Kreatif KL Advisory Committee, the event is designed to ensure meaningful engagement with all visitors, making it a key fixture in Downtown Kuala Lumpur’s annual cultural calendar.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Kuala Lumpur’s rich cultural tapestry. For the full programme and event details, visit kreatifkl.com .
