The 17th edition of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts returns from 12 to 15 July 2018, coinciding with the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This year, the festival showcases the rich history of the Nusantara, with a wide array of programmes that audiences across ages and interests, from the otai (old-timers) to the budak-budak hipster, can look forward to. Highlights include two exciting festival commissions—a pantomime re-imagining Malay folklore, and a music collaboration melding contemporary ghazal and traditional Malay music.

Said Fezhah Maznan, Programmer, The Esplanade Co Ltd, “Pesta Raya has always celebrated the rich Malay heritage, arts and culture from the region, and through the festival we hope to continue forging meaningful relationships with the artists and our audiences. This year, we have works which highlight the Malay identity, with thoughtful re-imagining of Malay folklore and characters in our festival commission Alkesah, and fresh re-interpretations of the traditional keroncong and dikir barat. We also look back and pay tribute to the rich history of Malay dance in Singapore, with a special performance by Sriwana. We hope that many will find ways to connect with the diverse programmes at the festival and immerse themselves in some of the very best the Nusantara can offer.”

Venue: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

When: 12 - 15 Jul 2018,

By: Esplanade