105 ITEMS ON DISPLAY AT NATIONAL MUSEUM’S FABRICS OF ASEAN EXHIBITION - AARON
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- A total of 105 items featuring traditional textiles, woven materials, weaving tools and regional costumes are on display at the Fabrics of ASEAN: The Eternity of Weaving exhibition at the National Museum from Oct 20 to Dec 31.
Organised by the Ministry of National Unity through the Department of Museums Malaysia, the exhibition is being held at Gallery 2 of the National Museum here in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the exhibition not only showcases the beauty of regional artistry and craftsmanship, but also reflects ASEAN’s cultural heritage diplomacy.
“Featuring collections from all 10 ASEAN member states, the exhibition illustrates how art, history and tradition serve as bridges between nations. Through fabrics, we do not merely weave patterns as we weave trust, friendship and mutual respect.
“This weaving art, handed down from our ancestors, has now become a valuable collection preserved by artisans and collectors. We are targeting 20,000 visitors, and admission is free,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony here today.
The exhibition features four main segments that take visitors through ASEAN’s textile heritage, fabric-making processes, the beauty of traditional motifs, and the challenges of preserving the art of weaving in the modern age.
Meanwhile, in her officiating speech, the wife of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said the exhibition not only showcases the beauty of ASEAN’s textile heritage, but also reflects the spirit of unity and brotherhood shared across the region.
“I am confident that this spirit of cooperation will further strengthen our cultural ties and foster a deeper sense of unity among our nations, turning simple threads into stories throughout the world, living through the generations.
“These fabrics of woven histories, each piece blends creativity and identity to create a clear dialogue between tradition and innovation. More than just a cloth, they are a tangible link from a weaver's hands to the heart of the community and some of our people who actually collect them,” she said.
The event was enlivened by a fashion showcase curated by designer Zachrin Jaafars, featuring the beauty of traditional ASEAN collections. Wan Azizah also presented certificates of appreciation to collection owners in recognition of their contributions to making the exhibition a reality.
-- BERNAMA
