Kuala Lumpur - More than 200 unique items belonging to nine royal families are expected to be on display at the "Royals & Arts Exhibition".
The exhibition, organised by Bumiputra Designers Association (BDA) and Yayasan Dunia Melayu (YDM), will be held at the Gardens Ballroom, Mid Valley Megamall shopping complex from Aug 6 to10.
BDA president Mahani Awang said the exhibition was meant to foster relations between the royalty and public through art and culture.
"The support and co-operation from the royal families in organising this exhibition has been encouraging," she said at the announcement of the event yesterday.
The royal patron of the exhibition, Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, said the showcase would enable people to view the private collections of royal families from the nine states.
Some of the items include paintings and photographs by the late Sultan Idris Shah of Perak, five paintings by Raja Zarith herself, and a 700-year-old crown dating back to the time of Parameswara, a Palembang prince from Srivijaya, who founded Malacca around 1402.
"These items, which portray our private family life, have never been exhibited, which is why all of them are truly special," said Raja Zarith, adding that it was time for royal families to contribute more than just their ceremonial roles.
"In the past, the royalty were just gracing community events. But it is now time to adopt a hands-on approach by being more involved in community activities," she said.
The exhibition is part of the "Tribute to Women" celebrations, which culminate with a gala dinner on Aug 22.
Some personal items belonging to royal families will be auctioned off during the dinner and proceeds will go to single mothers, orphanages and the cervical cancer fund.
Members of the public and corporate figures are urged to provide support through sponsorship or donations.
Source: http://www.nst.com.my (June 24, 2008)