About The Other Festival

The Other Festival is a celebration of the living art, culture and heritage of Ipoh Old Town. Launched in 2015 with the support of the Perak State Government and the Perak Tourism Board, this annual festival aims to highlight the creative side of Ipoh and reveal the stories behind the city’s heritage buildings.

Curated by Kakiseni in collaboration with artists and residents of Ipoh, The Other Festival is a lively mix of music and performing arts, film screenings, guided tours, food trails, creative workshops and talks, exhibitions, bazaars and much family-friendly fun!

TIMELINE

2016

In 2016, we partnered with Doodle Malaysia for Bongkar Old Town, a week-long event aimed at uncovering the hidden gems of Ipoh’s historic heart and rendered in delicious doodles by local artists. Bongkar Old Town culminated in a walking tour of 10 locations around Ipoh where the Doodle Malaysia artworks were on display.

2019

In 2019, we introduced BUNYI: The Pre-Other Festival with an arching theme of “Sound of Life” throughout its programming. It featured audio-visual installations by local award-winning sound artists. Other content included Block Party, Historical Tour of Tin Alley, Sound Bath session with Kamal Sabran as well as The Forest is Not Mute by KUASA Perak. BUNYI aimed to provide a multi-sensorial experience for festival-goers to explore the roles of sound in our lives.

2015

In 2015, the inaugural festival focused on walking trails curated by famous local personalities who were either Ipoh natives or had close connections to the city. The trails encouraged people to explore Old Town on foot, to meet its residents and to learn the stories behind its historic buildings.

2017

In 2017, The Other Festival was an exquisite experience of Ipoh after dark. Festivalgoers were invited to discover a whole new side of Ipoh at night illuminated by brilliant light installations by local artists and featured spooky night tours, music and poetry, and more.

2020

“One or The Other” was a 10-day curated virtual experience on Instagram. The experience incorporated previous collaborators and programming of The Other Festival since 2015 – 2019. The audience was able to decide in every episode what they will be experiencing in Ipoh through daily polls.