Bandar Seri Begawan- Confident and bold, 10 young participants showcased their storytelling skills yesterday in a contest telecast live from a studio at Radio Televisyen Brunei in the capital.
The students captivated the members of the audience with Asian folk stories at the Mari Bercerita Competition 2007.
Ten boys and girls ranging from 9 to 12 years of age animatedly told stories of lore and legend to proud parents and guests yesterday afternoon.
The contestants comprised primary school students from all the country`s four districts who have passed the initial stages of the storytelling competition.
Young children from Pengiran Setia Negara Pg Haji Mohd Yusof Primary School, Seria, gave song and dance performances that called out to young Bruneians to empower themselves while staying true to their cultural heritage.
Md Amiruddin Hj Abd Hamid was visibly ecstatic when he was named the winner of the Mari Bercerita Contest.
The PDS Primary School student won the judges` hearts with his exuberant story of how a little mousedeer and his jungle companions outwitted an evil giant.
First runners-up was nine-year-old Mohammad Farid Adli Hj Mohd Yussof for his narration of The Eagle and The Ant whereby the student reminded the audience to never look down upon on others.
Talented Tutong student Nur Faizullizam Janudin took home the third place award with his cautionary tale of the Rabbit, Lamb and Tortoise.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud was on hand to present the prizes to the contest winners.
Also in attendance were senior government officials from the ministry and the Language and Literature Bureau.
The storytelling contest is a yearly project organised by the Language and Literature Bureau and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in a bid to encourage reading among young children, using storytelling as a channel of expressing creativity and to develop their confidence from an early age.
Source: The Brunei Times (25 Juni 2007)
