MACHANG, 18 October 2026 (The Capital Post) – The Gasing Terbang and Traditional Dikir Barat Festival 2026 was officially launched in Machang, Kelantan, as part of efforts to preserve traditional cultural heritage and promote cultural tourism.
The festival, held at Dataran Kemahkotaan Machang on Friday (16 October), was officiated by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Secretary-General Dato’ Shaharuddin Abu Sohot.
The event highlighted two of Kelantan’s traditional cultural practices, gasing terbang (traditional spinning tops) and dikir barat performances, which reflect the state’s artistic identity and cultural heritage.
The festival aimed to introduce these traditional art forms to younger generations, encouraging greater appreciation and ensuring their continued preservation.
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It also sought to strengthen community unity through shared cultural experiences and greater awareness of Kelantan’s traditional arts.
In conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign, the festival provided a platform to showcase Kelantan’s cultural attractions to domestic and international tourists.
Beyond cultural preservation, the event aimed to support the local economy by creating opportunities for small entrepreneurs to promote their products and generate income through cultural tourism.
MOTAC also highlighted the potential of such initiatives to strengthen Machang’s appeal as a cultural tourism destination within Kelantan.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia, the festival was organised to preserve traditional heritage, strengthen cultural identity and encourage community participation in tourism-related economic activities – The Capital Post
