Liew (seventh left) with Kok (on her left), Lucia (seventh right) and members of the Ivy Dance Group.
KOTA KINABALU: Age should not be a barrier to pursuing one’s passion in the performing arts, said former State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Chairman cited the example of 92-year-old Lucia Wong Lup Kin, who remains an active member of the Ivy Dance Group, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with the theme “20 Years of Dance, Dreams & Dedication” at the Putera Ballroom here last night.
“To my knowledge, the retired teacher keeps fit through dancing under the Ivy Dance Group, be it ballroom dancing or cultural dance performances.
“Take the cue from Lucia that age is not an obstacle to one’s hobby pursuit or aspiration,” Liew said when she graced the celebration attended by about 350 people.
She commended dance instructor Ivy Kok for carrying on the legacy and continuing to showcase the beauty and diversity of Sabah’s multicultural heritage through dance.
“Since its establishment, Ivy Dance Group has remained committed to preserving and promoting traditional ethnic culture and the arts. It is dedicated to advancing professional ethnic dance education and stage performance.
“Over the past two decades, the troupe has nurtured numerous outstanding dancers who, through refined dance skills, rigorous training and extensive stage experience, have earned widespread recognition and appreciation from all sectors of society,” Liew said.
She noted that the dance troupe had achieved remarkable success by winning championships in numerous dance competitions.
The group had also been invited by the Beijing Municipal Culture Bureau to participate in cultural and artistic exchange performances in Beijing, where its members had the opportunity to learn from and exchange experiences with international dance groups, contributing to the preservation and development of Chinese ethnic culture.
On the local front, the troupe has performed at events organised by community associations, government agencies and official celebrations across East and West Malaysia, as well as at cultural festivals and other major occasions.
“I believe the Group will continue to uphold its original mission, using dance to convey culture and art, build connections across the world, and contribute even more to the development and promotion of ethnic cultural arts,” Liew added.
Earlier, Kok, in her address, expressed her appreciation to the guest of honour for her unwavering support.
