Celebrating unity
Freedom Festival promises good fun, great food and a jolly time with fellow Malaysians, writes Tahir Alhamzah
COME Nov 3, Klang Valley residents and those living in the vicinity can spend the day at Freedom Festival, an event touted to celebrate oneness. The festival, which also aims to further inculcate unity and togetherness among Malaysians, is scheduled to take place at Bandar Malaysia, the location of the old Sempang Airport at Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama in Sungai Besi.
There will be music, food bazaars and exhibitions lined up for the day, from 10am to midnight.
Organised by Bsynclive, the event is targeted at everyone — from young children to adults.
The patron of the festival is Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Entrance is free and one can take public transport to go there.
The organiser has arranged with RapidKL for shuttle service between Central Market and the festival venue. There will also be a special promotion with Grab service.
“Unity can be celebrated in any form. We hope that by organising this event for all, it can also help us to appreciate more of what we have now.
“What better way to celebrate unity than at a place with the unique address of Bandar Malaysia? It is also a historical landmark of Kuala Lumpur,” says Adam Sofian from Bsynclive.
Being the location which served as the first Kuala Lumpur International Airport between 1952 and 1965, its history alone is as interesting as the programmes lined up.
“With various activities scheduled for the day, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether it is the live music, food or just to learn something from the exhibitions that will be put up,” he shares.
Adam hopes the event will attract at least 50,000 visitors.
As it was the first airport, it is only appropriate for the festival to have an aircraft exhibition, featuring airplanes belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) Museum, including the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer FM1001 — named “Rajawali” by the country’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Besides that, there will also be an automobile exhibition at the event, as well as graffiti and cultural arts activities.
“We’ll have about 30 food trucks at the food and beverage area and booths selling clothes,” he shares.
INDIE TUNES
While the festival will open its gates to visitors in the morning, the music performances will only kick off at 3pm.
“The shows will attract both young and old as experienced entertainers such as Datuk Zainal Abidin and relatively new performers like Mafidz will be rocking the stage,” shares Adam.
Other act include Hujan, Yuna, Kugiran Masdo, Bittersweet, Reshmonu, Aman RA, Salam musik, Plague of Happiness, DJ Blink, Pesawat and Ryot Jones.
“There will be two stages erected, one indoor and another outdoor,” explains Syamil Yusof of Bsynclive.
“As this event is to celebrate unity, the performers too will demonstrate how music unites people,” he says.
“I’m up for anything that calls for unity and equality,” shares fellow performer Reshmonu who is popular with songs as Hey Waley, Walk Away and Cintaku Pergi.