KUALA LUMPUR: The Australian High Commission in Malaysia is kick starting the new year by celebrating the diverse and strong links between Australia and Malaysia through the dazzling 'Lights Up' event.
The event from Jan 20-30 will see the High Commission building at Jalan Yap Kwan Seng here, illuminated from 7.30pm to 11.30pm daily, showcasing digital artwork that will include iconic Australian images that honour and celebrate Indigenous Australia.
Designs created by Malaysian and international entrants in the Isle of Design Projection Mapping competition, as well as original artwork by primary school students from the Australian International School Malaysia will also feature.
The illuminations have been produced through a collaboration between Australia's Mosster Studio and Malaysia's Filamen.
Visitors can take photos with the light projection and use the hashtag #LightsUpMY when they visit. 'Lights Up' is the centrepiece of the Australia Now Malaysia programme.
Australia's Deputy Head of Mission to Malaysia Hannah Birdsey said the High Commission will also be holding a series of events in conjunction with Australia Now Malaysia which runs through to the middle of 2022.
Australia Now is the Australian government's flagship diplomacy programme, which showcases the best of Australia innovation, diversity and creative excellence.
Delivered in a country of significance each year, the programme is aimed to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties and to build understanding beyond landscapes and lifestyle.
Australia Now Malaysia which was digitally launched in October 2021, aimed to promote economic, scientific, education and cultural links between the two countries.
"And the programme in Malaysia, we did have some scheduling challenges because of COVID-19. But we've got it up and running now. And it's actually very good timing. Because in the beginning of 2021, Australia and Malaysia signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement.
"And so this year, we're about to celebrate the first anniversary of that signing, the Lights Up event will coincide with the first anniversary. So we think it's a really good way to demonstrate the strength, the breadth and diversity of the relationship with Malaysia," she told Bernama in an interview.
Asides from the digital artwork light projection, Birdsey said another exciting event planned for the Australia Now Malaysia programme is the Australian Indigenous digital arts exhibition in collaboration with the National Art Gallery in March.
"We're really looking forward to it. It's called Walking Through a Songline. People can actually walk through and see the artwork projected. It's quite extraordinary, quite and unusual experience," she said.
She added that other events planned including a policy forum on mental health, engagements with young leaders and entrepreneurs, and a science documentary jointly collaborated by Malaysia Space Agency and Geoscience Australia.
Birdsey said a culinary TV series 'Adam & Poh's Malaysia in Australia', featuring two Malaysian-born Australian cook, Adam Liaw and Poh Ling Yeoh, is currently being broadcast by Asian Food Network (AFN).
"So it's a really diverse array. As you can see it touches on touches on art and culture. It touches on some of the science and technology collaboration that's happening between Malaysia and Australia.
"The programmes, I think is as broad and diverse as the bilateral relationship between Australia and Malaysia," she added.-- BERNAMA
