Perak Youth Peace Culture Festival: Lighting the Hope of Peace
A Diverse Stage Uniting the Power of Youth

On 13, 14 and 20 December 2025, SGM Perak held the Youth Peace Culture Festival at its culture centre. The event attracted approximately 3,400 members and Soka friends, with close to half being non-members – a testament to how young people can gather like a tide to inject fresh cultural vitality into the state.

The festival, themed “OMBAK,” centred on the core philosophy of “Youth Division: Leave No One Behind.” “OMBAK” symbolises the way youth, like waves, converge their strength to drive peace and hope, showcasing the vibrancy of Perak’s youth alongside local cultural characteristics.

The diverse programme featured performances by the fife-and-drum corps, modern dance troupes, and the gymnastic team. Highlights included a rich array of acts such as local compositions fused with Malay choral singing, “hand-sign dances” incorporating Punjabi and Tamil elements, multi-ethnic dance performances, and performance from the Kaho Group. Other innovative segments featured poetry recitals accompanied by live instruments, a breathtaking 24-festive drums, and a musical repertoire spanning Mandarin and English.

Sin Chew Daily’s Perak regional manager Foong Ching Mean remarked that the festival rekindled her hope for the younger generation. In an era where people have fewer meaningful in-person interactions, the festival made her realise that, in the right environment, youth will still respond through action. She was particularly impressed by the human pyramids formed by the gymnastics team. The seamless coordination between the performers and stage crew made the performance as powerful as a wave, strengthening her hope for the future.

Tee Wee Siang was scheduled to perform with the gymnastics team, but a hand injury during practice made him unable to do so. Watching the practising repeatedly, encouraging one another and uniting for a common goal deeply moved him. He felt the powerful spirit behind the performances, noting that the poetry recitals conveyed values of perseverance, courageous struggle and peaceful unity. Learning that the preparations were largely led by the youth themselves, he felt their immense potential and reaffirmed his determination to join SGM.

Nurturing Unity and Trust throughout the Preparation

The impact of the festival extended beyond the stage, taking root in heart-to-heart exchanges and selfless dedication during the preparation period. The four divisions worked in total unity, looking after non-members and new friends. The men’s and women’s divisions arranged transport, while members prepared food and drinks so the youth could focus on their practices.

Study and dialogue sessions were held during breaks, with performers sharing their challenges and faith experiences. These moments allowed everyone to reaffirm the significance of the festival amid their busy schedules and served as a catalyst for many inactive members to reinvolve themselves with SGM. Through such care and exchanges, the youth built deep trust, transcending differences in background and age to practise the spirit of unity. Like a wave, the festival unified people’s hearts and spread peace and hope.

Yap Jun Heng, one of the persons-in-charge of the lighting and sound production team, followed the rehearsals from the start to master the positioning, music and lighting requirements of each item. The live performances tested his ability to adapt, as any unexpected onstage situations required immediate coordination. He also communicated extensively with external lighting contractors to ensure smooth transitions. Despite the pressure, he felt each performance improved and took pride in seeing new team members enhance their technical skills and confidence.

Low Wai Ming and her husband met at a culture festival 19 years ago and have since started a family; they were full of gratitude to be on stage again with their three children. During practices, her mother suffered a fall requiring surgery, and the whole family contracted influenza. However, she faced these obstacles with faith, chanting daimoku with her husband to complete every performance. By the second day, someone volunteered to care for her mother and the children recovered, confirming her belief in the protection of the Gohonzon. She also encouraged 18 parents to watch the show, passing on the joy and hope to more people.

Khoo Jo-Lin joined the 24-festive drums team two years ago. Even after moving to Kuala Lumpur for her studies, she insisted on returning to Ipoh every weekend for practice. This was her first large-scale event. Though nervous, she was excited to perform and meet new friends. Despite her tendency to forget movements, her teammates’ patience and support made her feel welcome and helped her understand the spirit of unity. For her, the festival was a journey of growth, and she hopes to continue promoting this spirit of mutual encouragement.

Reported by Lee Yoke Kang and Wong Hoi Yin, photographed by Allen Au Chin Kit, Chan Sian Chun and Tan Chew Men