Glamping at Muzium Negara offers new experiences
24 Sep 2022 10:16am
Glamping at Muzium Negara - Photo from Muzium Negara
Imagine camping in the city with the sound of the busy traffic and surrounded by a concrete jungle, like in a more than half-a-century old building.
This was experienced by 60 individuals of various races and ages who participated in a two-day Glamping @ Muzium Negara which was part of the Denai Malam @ Muzium Negara or Museum Night Trail programme organised by the National Museum last Sept 16 and 17 in conjunction with the 2022 Malaysia Day celebration.
National Museum director Zamrul Amri Zakaria said the glamping activity was organised following the success of the A Night at the Museum programme in 2005.
"Previously, the overnight programme at the museum was opened for students aged 13 to 17 where they would spend the night in the museum gallery.
"For glamping, we emphasise the concept of family bonding with more relaxing and entertaining activities,” he told Bernama.
Following the encouraging response to the programme, Zamrul Amri plans to rebrand this glamping activity to 'Amazing Museum At Night' (AMAN).
"The programme will give participants a new experience that will stay in their memory forever. If successful, we will expand the programme to the state museums under the Department of Museums Malaysia,” he said.
Apart from glamping activity, Zamrul Amri said the Night Trail @ National Museum programme also included various other interesting activities on culture and heritage such as demonstrations on making the "bunga rampai” and Orang Asli headgear or ‘temok’.
Traditional performances such as wayang kulit (shadow play) and dikir barat were also held, he added.
"Participants will be given a guided tour of all the museums at the National Museum Complex which houses the National Museum, the Orang Asli Art and Craft Museum and the Malay World Ethnology Museum.
"The opportunity allows participants to experience amazing moments and different experiences at each museum at night," said Zamrul Amri who believes the programme can have an impact on the museum industry by spreading the function and role of museums.
One of the participants, Mohd Shahril Mohd Nasir, 35, from Cheras said such a programme could stimulate interest among children in socio-cultural activities thus reducing their time with gadgets.
"My family always participate in camping activities but this is the first camping in the city. However, it is still interesting.
"Most importantly, it helps keep my children away from their gadgets and television," he said.
Sean Ong, 42, from Kuala Lumpur said the programme gave exposure and new experiences to his family, especially his two children, aged six and 10.
"My family and I like to do craftwork. What we like most was the demonstration on making the potpourri and the Orang Asli headgear," he said. - Bernama
