JOHOR BAHRU, May 15 – The Festival of Languages and Cultures (FLC) 2025, organized by the Language Academy of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), took place on the 14th and 15th of May 2025 at Perpustakaan Raja Zarith Sofiah (PRZS). The two-day event commenced with an enthusiastic turnout, as visitors crowded the venue to participate in a dynamic celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity.
On the first day, activities were centered at the Exam Hall, PRZS Level 2. The Competition Team curated a series of interactive games and competitions aimed at engaging visitors from the outset. Beginning promptly at 9 in the morning, the registration area quickly filled with excited schoolchildren accompanied by their dedicated teachers from across Johor. Word Search activity served as a welcoming mini-game, which was met with enthusiasm. Participants were delighted to receive complimentary gifts, including mini hand fans, notebooks, and sticky notes. The registration area remained lively and well-attended throughout the morning.
Simultaneously, the onstage competitions began with the Reader’s Theatre and Storytelling segments, adjudicated by Dr. Farhana Abu Bakar and Johana Jobil. The Reader’s Theatre was inaugurated by a Vietnamese ensemble known as the FUS Team, comprising Le Hoang Anh, Nguyen Pham Nhu Quynh, Trinh Nguyen Tam Phuc, and To Thi Phuong Thao. They presented The Legend of the Betel Leaf and the Areca Nut and were later awarded the titles of Best Vocal Expression and Best Teamwork and Coordination.
The Storytelling Competition featured five talented participants, all of whom received recognition for their performances. Ahmad Fauzan Ahmad Faizul from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) was awarded Best Storytelling Performance for his captivating rendition of Tales of the Cursed Sisters. Other accolades included Best Vocal Expression, awarded to Soh Kay Teen, and Best Emotional Expression, awarded to Nguyen Ly Hanh Nguyen. Consolation prizes were given to Le Hoang Anh and Cao Yan for their commendable efforts.
Among the game stations, Hangman emerged as an early favorite, attracting a large number of school children who participated both individually and in groups. The game’s accessible yet challenging format contributed to its popularity. Sajitra M. Davaraju won the prize for the Individual Category, while the Group Category was claimed by UMPSA students Siti Nur Zulaikha Zaidi, Nur Zafirah Hana Mohd Hanafi, Faezah Ronnie, and Luqmanul Hakim Azizuddin.
Following a 30-minute intermission, the event continued with the Global Greeting Challenge at the game station, as well as the Poetry Slam and Multilingual Karaoke competitions on stage, further showcasing the participants’ linguistic talents and cultural expressions.
The FLC 2025 successfully fulfilled its mission of promoting linguistic diversity, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. Through a vibrant array of competitions, performances, and interactive activities, the event not only highlighted the rich multicultural landscape of Malaysia but also provided a platform for students and visitors to express creativity, celebrate heritage, and foster cross-cultural understanding. The enthusiasm and active participation from schools, universities, and international students underscored the relevance and impact of such initiatives in cultivating global citizenship within an academic setting. The Language Academy of UTM is proud to have hosted this meaningful celebration and looks forward to continuing its commitment to language and cultural education in future editions of the FLC.