You’ve probably heard about the George Town Festival in Penang, but did you know that Melaka has a similar one as well?
The Melaka Arts and Performance Festival (MAPFest), which will be held from 27 to 29 November 2015 at St. Paul’s Hill, is an innovative contemporary festival, featuring dance, performance art, visual art, film and music. The annual festival was first held in 2009, and has gained high national and international profile. It is the largest and only performing arts festival in the world that is conducted in a UNESCO heritage site. MAPFest 2015 is in its seventh year and set to be the core of performing arts festival in Malaysia due to its unique combination of heritage and art.
Image from MAPFest 2015 Facebook page
As MAPFest 2015 approaches, here are our top 5 tips and guides to this unique festival where a host of fun and exciting activities await you.
Explore Melaka on Foot
Vicinity of St. Paul’s Hill
28 & 29 November (Sat & Sun)
2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
MAPFest revolves within the city, bringing you a tour around various heritage sites. Remember to bring your camera, sun block, hat, mini towels and a pair of super comfortable walking shoes along!
Sweat It Out!
A’Famosa Fort
27 November (Fri)
10.00 am – 12.00 pm
For the first time ever in MAPFest, get active and sweaty with renown Parkour master from Russia, Evgenii Timofeev, in this exclusive once-in-a-lifetime Parkour workshop!
Learn Your History
Heritage Talk – Old & New Melaka
The Daily Fix Cafe
27 November (Fri); 28 & 29 November (Sat & Sun)
2.30 pm – 4.30 pm; 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Forum
Wayfarer Guest House
29 November (Sun)
10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Melaka is a city rich with heritage and culture, so you’ll definitely won’t want to miss this opportunity to earn an A+ grade for your upcoming history test! Listen in for the Heritage Talk titled “Old and New Melaka”, or join in the forum to learn about the past and make new friends!
Groove to Live Performances
Cerita Pendik 1 & 2
St. Paul’s Hill
27 & 28 November (Fri & Sat)
8.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Eulogy for the Living
St. Paul’s Hill
29 November (Sun)
8.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Who needs headphones and TVs when you can enjoy various genres of amazing live performances under the roof of a heritage building? It will definitely be an experience not to be missed!
Children Art Exhibition
Sacred Heart Convent
26 – 29 Nov (Thurs – Sun)
11.30 am – 3.00 pm
Discover Malaysia’s future artists with approximately 100 pieces of art by these talented children on display at the exhibition. Their artworks will be sold to raise funds for the restoration of the Sacred Heart Convent’s exhibition hall, which was built before World War II as the dormitory for convent girls.
And if you’re already in Melaka for MAPFest 2015, you definitely need to try out all the gastronomical delights our Historical City has to offer, including authentic Nyonya cuisine, chicken rice balls, satay celup, and coconut shake, just to name a few. Of course, don’t forget to buy back some dodol and gula melaka!
For more information and updates about MAPFest 2015, head over to the official MAPFest website, or visit their official Facebook page and Instagram profile.
