A collaboration with Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC) bringing together collectors, movie buffs, cosplayers, gamers, and more for the ultimate Star Wars fan experience.
Petaling Jaya, 30 May 2022 – The Force was strong with Jaya One and Star Wars Malaysia Fan Club (SWMFC) on 28 & 29 May 2022 as Star Wars fans gathered in full force for the biggest in-person Star Wars fan convention since Covid-19 – a community event that encourages a sense of belonging and creative roleplay among fans, as well as to celebrate the increased diversity in the Star Wars universe.
Named ‘This Is The May – Nar Shaddaa Day’, the event gathered Star Wars fans from all walks of life to honour May as the month of Star Wars and to welcome the exclusive debut of a new Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” launching on 27 May 2022. In conjunction with the Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 happening during the same weekend in the US, ‘This Is The May – Nar Shaddaa Day’ is the unofficial Malaysia-level Star Wars convention for fans of all ages to come together and commemorate the cultural phenomenon.
Revelling in the excitement of new movies, television shows, and merchandise, while also commemorating the vast history of the Star Wars universe, ‘This Is The May – Nar Shaddaa Day’ was a massive spectacle for every kind of Star Wars fan – including Star Wars Malaysia Alliance fan group members and vendors displaying and trading Star Wars collectibles, cosplayers engaging the patrons, Star Wars themed contests for adults and children, a fusion wayang kulit performance that fuses the traditional puppetry with pop culture and sci-fi elements, a puppet-making workshop featuring limited-edition Stormtrooper and Grogu puppets, and a petting zoo to provide an interactive, up-close experience for all attendees.
“As a space championing community events, we are proud to play a role for Star Wars fan communities to come together and unite after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For 2 days only, The School and The Square were turned into an immersive Star Wars land, where we saw various Jedi costumed families and young Reys roaming happily around the exhibits and connecting with one another. We are glad to revitalise the mall experience with the event ecosystem bouncing back, but with better safety measures such as enforcing masks and providing sanitation stations to help guests feel comfortable,” said Charles Wong, Executive Director of Tetap Tiara Sdn Bhd, the developer of The School by Jaya One.
Some of the highlights of the 2-day event included an immersive Star Wars Fan Art Exhibition by Greg Bain, previews of the new Disney+ limited Series “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, lightsaber demonstrations and schools, exclusive Star Wars Celebration 2022 merchandise by Sheldonet Toy Store, lightsaber customisation by Sabertrio, a Star Wars X-Wing tournament organised by the Star Wars X-Wing and Armada Malaysia group, lively fandom panel discussions by the various fan groups in attendance, and a professional photo booth service by Studio Suiz.
‘This Is The May – Nar Shaddaa Day’ was an event produced by fans for fans. ”We are glad to host our annual Star Wars event in Jaya One again after 2 years of Covid. We are always striving to bring members of the community closer together, and with passion for the Star Wars universe growing each year, this event was another step in fostering closer relations amongst fans,” said Lau Chee Kin, the Honorary Secretary of SWMFC.
The objective behind the collaboration is to serve as a platform to foster community connections through fan cultures – bringing families together, reuniting old friends, and forging new friendships.
Safeguarding the unique traditional wayang kulit artistry of Malaysia, a total of 4 performances saw families and fans share in the joy of watching a fusion wayang kulit show comprising traditional wayang kulit infused with characters from the Star Wars movies. Championed by an award-winning Fusion Wayang Kulit team, the performance showcased Pak Dain, a master puppeteer, or the 13th accredited ‘Tok Dalang‘ of traditional wayang kulit in Kelantan.
Additionally, the 2-day event saw a full house registration for a hands-on Wayang Kulit Puppet Making workshop where attendees try their hand at creating their own traditional or modern pop culture wayang kulit characters guided by Pak Dain. This workshop allowed participants to learn the basic techniques of making wayang kulit such as delicate cutting, colouring and mounting them on wooden sticks.
For more information, visit https://www.jayaone.com.my/.
