Latest news with #CulturalEducation
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
National Unity Ministry to roll out ethnic minority festival calendar in January 2026
SIBU, July 10 — The Ministry of National Unity will, for the first time, publish the Ethnic Minority Festival Calendar in January 2026 in a bid to strengthen understanding and unity among the country's multi-racial population. Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said the calendar would compile comprehensive information on the dates, backgrounds and descriptions of traditional festivals and ceremonies celebrated by ethnic minorities across the country. 'This calendar is not just a list of festival dates but serves as a medium for cultural education aimed at fostering mutual respect and appreciation for ethnic diversity, which is the cornerstone of Malaysia's strength,' he said when officiating the Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2025 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here last night. Aaron said the calendar would be distributed in both printed and electronic formats to ministries, government departments, educational institutions and other stakeholders. 'With this calendar, the community will become more aware of festivals such as Irau Aco (Lun Bawang), Songkran Festival (Siamese), Kalimaran Festival (Murut), Lepa-Lepa Festival (Bajau), Magahau Festival (Rungus) and Mipis Festival (Dusun Lotud). 'We will gain a better understanding of cultural sensitivities and, more importantly, develop greater respect for one another as Malaysians,' he said. Aaron added that national unity could not be achieved without mutual respect and cultural understanding. 'Only through understanding and accepting cultural differences can the spirit of 'Harmony in Diversity' be instilled in our daily lives,' he said. Commenting on the BDCF, Aaron said the festival, now in its 21st edition, reflected the cultural strength and harmony among Sarawak's diverse communities, including the Dayak, Malay, Melanau and Chinese. 'This festival is unique and special, as it highlights unity in cultural diversity through artistic performances, traditional food and ethnic heritage,' he said. Carrying the theme 'Rhythm of Borneo 2025', this year's edition also saw the introduction of a new official mascot, Engkuli, the local name for the Harimau Dahan (Neofelis diardi), which represents biodiversity preservation and the natural wealth of Borneo. According to Aaron, Sarawak - home to over 30 ethnic groups and more than 40 dialects — was the best example of how cultural diversity could serve as a foundation for social unity and strength. — Bernama
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hull school helps Romanian children connect with roots
A Sunday school is helping Romanian children reconnect with their heritage, as many have grown up speaking only English and have never visited than 30 children attend the weekly classes in Hull where they learn about Romanian language, history and classroom, at the Lonsdale Community Centre, is decorated with Romanian flags and Andreea Salvage said the school gave the children "a sense of belonging". "We are now at the second generation of migrant children," she said. "I think it's important to teach them to understand what Romania is because, for them, it is something totally foreign."According to the 2021 Census, Hull's Romanian population was 3,602. Ms Salvage, who moved to the UK from Romania in 2007, said she thinks the number has increased significantly since then. She said each school session focussed on a topic such as Romanian history or national holidays."We try to do themes for each week," she said."For example, last week we had an election. We had an election here in the UK, and we had an election for the Romanian presidential election."If it's something that we celebrate at home, we'll try to give that as a main activity, as the main theme. If not, we look at geography, history, language, tradition and so on." Nine-year-old Angelina is among the children who attend the sessions. "We do some fun activities and we do learn some new stuff in Romanian," she said. "Me and my mum play this game where she has to say in English and I have to say in Romanian." Mirela Popesceo moved to the UK in 2018 and takes her two children to the school including four-year-old Emma-Maria."She barely speaks Romanian to be honest," she said. "We are trying to speak with her at home, but she has been at nursery since she was one, so her language is more English than our native language."We would like her to learn Romanian because, when we are going on holiday to see the relatives and the grandparents, it would be nice for her to understand a little bit."
