Ipoh-Fukuoka connection revives cross-cultural ties

SMK Raja Chulan in Ipoh recently played host to the Ipoh-Fukuoka Sister Cities Student Exchange Program 2024, welcoming seven students and three officials from Fukuoka, Japan.

This two-day event marked a significant opportunity for local and Japanese students to engage in meaningful cultural exchange, broadening their understanding of each other’s traditions and values.

Promoting cultural understanding

The Ipoh-Fukuoka program focused on enhancing communication skills, fostering unity, and promoting harmony between Malaysian and Japanese societies.

During the visit, the Japanese students were introduced to various aspects of Malaysian culture, while the local students gained insights into Japanese traditions.

This mutual exchange is designed to build bridges between the two cities, reinforcing their sister-city relationship.

The program culminated in a closing ceremony on August 20, 2024, which featured captivating performances by students of SMK Raja Chulan.

These included the traditional Malay “Dikir Barat” and “Gamelan” performances, alongside the Japanese dance “Soran Bushi,” symbolizing the fusion of both cultures.

The event was attended by notable figures such as Haji Jamil bin Dayan, Principal of SMK Raja Chulan; Motoi Tachibana, an officer from Fukuoka; Romzi bin Zamri, Director of the City Community; Haji Fakhrul Nizam bin Pakhruddin, Chief Assistant Director of the Perak State Education Department; and Datuk Haji Mohd Hussin bin Dato’ Seri Haji Abdullah, Chairman of SMK Raja Chulan’s Parent-Teacher Association.

Ipoh-Fukuoka: Reviving ties and expanding horizons

The Ipoh-Fukuoka program is not just about cultural performances; it represents a larger effort to revive and strengthen the ties between these two sister cities.

The recent Japanese Summer Festival in Ipoh highlighted this connection, serving as a platform to announce the resumption of the student exchange program, which had been on hold since the pandemic began.

“We are resuming the program as we want Ipoh to be an international standard city,” said Rumaizi, highlighting the significance of international exchanges in elevating Ipoh’s global standing.

The festival also featured a booth by the Fukuoka City Hall, offering insights into the ongoing cultural exchange and partnerships between Ipoh and Fukuoka.

The collaboration between PSTPA, Kangda, and Nijigen Expo, one of Southeast Asia’s largest organisers of Anime, Comics, and Games (ACG) events, further illustrates the commitment to cultural enrichment and international cooperation through events like this festival.

The Ipoh-Fukuoka Sister Cities Student Exchange Program 2024 exemplifies the importance of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and unity between nations.

As both cities continue to nurture their relationship, such initiatives will play a crucial role in broadening horizons and bringing communities closer together.

With the successful execution of this year’s program, the organizing committee expressed their gratitude to all participants and contributors, ensuring the continued success of future exchanges.