Malaysia Truly Asian Dance Performance
On 7 December 2024, Lancaster University Malaysian Students Society (LUMSS) hosted the Mini Malaysia event, an exciting cultural event held at Lancaster University. Designed to celebrate Malaysia’s rich and diverse heritage, this event showcased various cultural elements, including traditional clothing, food, games, performances, and fun facts about Malaysia. The primary goal of Mini Malaysia was to bring to light the lesser-known aspects of Malaysian culture to both local and international students.
In an effort to provide a new and fresh experience for attendees, Mini Malaysia focused on fostering cultural appreciation and creating an interactive experience for its attendees. The event featured a variety of booths and activities that allowed attendees to connect with Malaysian culture on a deeper level.
Five key elements of the Malaysian culture were highlighted and represented through dedicated booths. Attendees had the chance to test their knowledge of Malaysian history with crossword puzzles at the history booth or win Malaysian snacks by scoring a quiz at the fun facts booth. For those who were longing for a taste of home, the food booth offered authentic Malaysian dishes like soto and nasi kerabu, providing a feast for the senses while they enjoyed live cultural performances such as traditional Malaysian dances and poetry recitations. Attendees also had the opportunity to try on traditional attires such as sarees and baju melayu at the fashion booth or compete in traditional games like chapteh and congkak at the games booth.
A Visionary Idea Takes Flight
Mini Malaysia was initiated by LUMSS President Umair Nazari, whose passion and ambition inspired the creation of this event. Determined to bring something fresh and exciting to the Lancaster community, Umair and the LUMSS team envisioned Mini Malaysia as a cultural bridge. In the summer of 2024, the Mini Malaysia team was established after successfully recruiting approximately 70 students from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the local community. The team comprised a diverse group of individuals, including one-term exchange students, undergraduates, and master’s students, many of whom were new to Lancaster. These members played a key role in planning and executing the event.
Initially focused on only Lancaster University students, the event’s promotion gained traction beyond the local student body, receiving interest from across the UK, largely due to the impactful work done by the Media and Marketing team.
Quiz and Batik Painting
Memorable Collaborations
A key partnership for Mini Malaysia was with MyHeart, who were passionate about supporting student events such as Mini Malaysia. Part of their support included providing exclusive MyHeart merchandise as part of the event door gift. This collaboration added a touch of personalisation, giving Malaysians abroad a memorable keepsake from the event.
Attendees learning about MyHeart
Looking Ahead
The turnout exceeded expectations, attracting 225 attendees, including both Malaysian and international students. The event’s agenda and array of activities created an engaging and memorable experience for all participants. The overwhelming turnout and positive reception proved that cultural events like Mini Malaysia have the power to bring people together and spark meaningful connections.
Mini Malaysia’s success has paved the way for future events of its kind. The traction generated by this event will serve as a foundation for securing strategic partners and sponsors for future events. With continuous support and additional resources, LUMSS plans to make Mini Malaysia an annual affair at Lancaster University.
The backbone of Mini Malaysia
This story was written by the Lancaster University Malaysian Students Society (LUMSS)(LUMSS).
Are you a Malaysian Student Association abroad organising a Malaysian event in your city? Register your association and explore how MyHeart can support your event today!
