Image credit: FELDA – Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan
A group of 53 students from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA FELDA (MARESMAF), including 39 from the FELDA New Generation, will proudly represent Malaysia at the International Festival of Wind Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic, on 20 and 21 June 2025.
This remarkable achievement is especially meaningful as more than two-thirds of the orchestra members are grandchildren of FELDA settlers. Many only began learning music when they entered secondary school. Despite starting late, months of intensive training and strong determination have prepared them to perform alongside participants from 11 other countries, including Croatia, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Image credit: FELDA – Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan
Known as MAWO, the orchestra is made up of students from rural regions such as Kedah, Kelantan, Johor and Pahang. For many of them, wind orchestras and instruments like saxophones, trombones and clarinets were once completely unfamiliar. Today, through the dedication of passionate music teachers and the continuous support of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), they have grown into a skilled ensemble capable of competing on an international level.
Their journey is not just about music. It reflects values of discipline, teamwork and national pride. MAWO is a symbol of FELDA’s vision to nurture well-rounded youth from settler families, empowering them to succeed in academics, arts and culture alike.
Image credit: FELDA – Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan
According to Facebook video posted by FELDA, to celebrate their upcoming debut in Prague, a special concert titled Desaku Mendunia (My Village Goes Global) will take place on 27 and 28 May 2025 at Auditorium Seri Angkasa in Angkasapuri. Organized by FELDA in collaboration with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and the Ministry of Communications, the main concert on 27 May will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi. He is also scheduled to launch the prelude to three major national festivals taking place in July.
These include the Mega 3D Carnival, which brings together FELDA Settlers’ Day, the Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival (KUD), and the One District One Industry Showcase (SDSI).
The concert will also feature performances by top Malaysian artists such as Dato’ Jamal Abdillah, Dayang Nurfaizah, Yabang Khalifah, as well as FELDA’s rising stars Zam and Along from Feel Da Starz, and Zeppo Youngster, a group known for winning international silat and dance competitions.
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