MALAYSIA CARNIVAL 2025 IN THE UK CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY
WITH BATIK THEME AND 3,000 VISITORS
HERTFORD, 30 August 2025 – The High Commission of Malaysia in London successfully hosted Malaysia Carnival 2025 in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day, welcoming nearly 3,000 visitors to the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre in Hertfordshire. The Carnival brought together Malaysians, the local community, and friends of Malaysia in a vibrant celebration of culture, heritage, and unity.
This year’s Carnival held special significance as it coincided with Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 and the forthcoming global campaign, Visit Malaysia 2026. In recognition of these milestones, the Carnival embraced Batik as its central theme, symbolising Malaysia’s enduring traditions, artistic innovation, and the unifying spirit of cultural diplomacy. Guests admired the colourful display of Batik attire, participated in a Batik workshop by Ying Qi, and engaged with one of Malaysia’s most recognisable cultural expressions.
The programme featured a wide range of activities that celebrated Malaysia’s creativity and diversity. Highlights included traditional games, silat demonstration, a poetry session by Malaysian writer Azalia Suhaimi, traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural performances, and exhibitions featuring Malaysian products. Food was also a major attraction, with favourites such as Nasi Lemak, Char Kuey Teow, and Roti Canai proving especially popular. Lucky draw winners were announced during the event, with prizes including business class return flights to Malaysia courtesy of Malaysia Airlines.
His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, emphasised that the introduction of Batik as the Carnival’s theme aimed to strengthen Malaysia’s identity internationally. By encouraging both Malaysians and locals to wear Batik, the Carnival celebrated the art form’s beauty and diversity while raising awareness of Malaysia’s cultural heritage on the global stage.
Visitors described the Carnival as vibrant and colourful, with Batik, food, and performances creating a uniquely Malaysian atmosphere in the UK. Malaysia Carnival has become a signature annual event in the UK, continuing to strengthen people-to-people ties through cultural diplomacy. This year’s celebration once again provided a platform for Malaysians abroad to come together, while sharing the richness of Malaysia’s arts, culture, and cuisine with the wider international community.