Visit Ipoh Festival set to be Malaysia’s First NFT-Driven Festival
By KT Leong
The State of Perak is proud to announce the Visit Ipoh Festival, Malaysia’s first-ever Non-Fungible Token (NFT) driven festival, poised to revolutionise the digital economy. The festival, scheduled to take place from 26th August to 1st October 2023, is expected to bring an estimated 450,000 visitors and a revenue of up to RM130 million to Ipoh over a span of six weeks.
Supported by YB Loh Sze Yee, Chairman of Tourism, Industry, Investment & Corridor Development Committee of the Perak State Government, Visit Ipoh Festival is set to become a significant milestone in promoting Ipoh as a leading cultural destination and driving the digital economy.
“We are proud to support the Visit Ipoh Festival as an initiative to drive the digital economy for Ipoh and Perak,” stated YB Loh Sze Yee. “This festival is not only a celebration of culture and art but also a stepping stone towards a thriving digital economy. We believe that the Visit Ipoh Festival will set a benchmark for the rest of Malaysia, inspiring other cities and regions to embrace the digital revolution and harness its economic potential. We are confident that this festival will showcase the ingenuity and creativity of our local talents while positioning Ipoh and Perak as leaders in the digital landscape.”
“In embracing the power of NFTs, Visit Ipoh Festival is at the forefront of driving the digital economy and showcasing the limitless potential of digital assets,” said Dr Jeff Wong, CEO of Go Plus Hub, the NFT partner for the Festival. “We are excited to partner with Visit Ipoh Festival to create a unique and immersive experience for visitors, while setting new standards for the integration of technology and art.”
This Visit Ipoh Festival NFT initiative will be spearheaded by Perak’s Cultural Economy Policy and Research Centre together with Go Plus Hub. An MOU signing between these 2 organisations was witnessed by YB Loh Sze Yee during the announcement of Visit Ipoh Festival.
Assoc Prof. Dr. Nor Fariza, Chairman of the Centre for Research in Language and Linguistic at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), expressed enthusiasm for the partnership between Visit Ipoh Festival and UKM. “This collaboration provides an invaluable opportunity for our students to gain firsthand insights from the creative industries,” said Dr. Nor Fariza. “By understanding the full ecosystem of the industry, our students will be better equipped to contribute to the digital economy and drive innovation in Malaysia. We are also committed to researching, documenting, and archiving festival statistics, ensuring that the data becomes a valuable resource for future reference and analysis.”
Persatuan Seni Tarian & Pendidikan Antarabangsa (PSTPA), organisers of Visit Ipoh Festival, are dedicated to fostering economic growth through cultural tourism. “We believe that the Visit Ipoh Festival will not only boost the local economy but also celebrate the spirit of MALAYSIA MADANI” stated the organisers.
Held along the Kinta River Walk, the Visit Ipoh Festival will provide a captivating setting for visitors to explore and engage with the festival’s attractions. From art exhibitions and installations to cultural shows and fairs, the festival will showcase a diverse range of experiences that celebrate the rich heritage of Ipoh.
One of the festival’s highlights is the presence of representatives from Fukuoka, the twin city of Ipoh.
Visitors will have the opportunity to engage in food tasting sessions while gathering more information about visiting Fukuoka, fostering cultural exchange between the two cities. In conjunction with this, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Perak Chapter together with Perak’s Cultural Economy Policy and Research Centre will be launching attractive tourism packages to and from Fukuoka. An MOU signing between these 2 organisations was also witnessed by YB Loh Sze Yee during this announcement of Visit Ipoh Festival.
The festival will also see the opening of Art Ipoh 2.0 led by renowned art curator Philip Wong at Tin Alley, following a very successful run of Art Ipoh 1.0 which featured more than 36 art installations in 2019.
“We are thrilled to witness the convergence of art, technology, and the digital economy at the Visit Ipoh Festival,” said Audrey Kwan, representative of the Cultural Economy Policy and Research Centre. “This festival will serve as a platform for artists, creators, and entrepreneurs to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and network with industry professionals. We invite everyone to be a part of this extraordinary celebration of creativity and economic growth.”
For more information about Visit Ipoh Festival, including exhibition, vendor, performance, sponsorship opportunities, please contact visitipohfes@gmail.com
