The Active Ageing Festival (AAF) 2025, organised by Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya, Selangor yesterday, is an annual celebration of seniors and the ageing process.
The event provides a platform to raise awareness of what ageing involves, while promoting activities that help seniors live informed, connected, and meaningful lives. Targeting retirees, the festival reflects an Asian culture that values and cares for its elderly.
The university’s grand hall was surrounded by booths offering games to test agility and mobility, along with health checks such as blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, muscle and bone scans.
Many seniors attended the opening, some in uniforms representing organisations, others in exercise gear ready to showcase routines, and of course, there were dancers. Entertainment, social connection, and complimentary meals – from sandwiches and teh tarik to balanced packed lunches – kept spirits high.
Active ageing focuses on optimising one’s later years by living independently, maintaining health, and staying socially connected. From what I have observed, many Malaysian seniors strike a good balance in these areas.
Although many live without children, they know how to stay healthy and socially engaged. In my experience with the Seniors Aloud community, they manage their lives meaningfully while embracing independence.
One key to finding meaning is staying socially connected and pursuing passions. For many, that passion is dance – especially traditional Malay dance. I know this first-hand, having taken up dancing myself in my late 60s with no prior stage experience.
At the festival, the Tarimas and Inang Sari groups livened the atmosphere with four performances. The opening dance, Tudung Periuk, featured eight seniors above 60 who had no prior dance background. With weeks of training under Cikgu Soo Ming, they mastered the bends, sways, flicks, and turns of Malay traditional dance.
For seniors, learning these graceful and delicate movements is no small feat. The soft hand gestures, gentle bows, and poised turns demand patience and practice. Yet, on that morning at 10.15am, as Tudung Periuk played, the hall erupted in applause and cheers. The dancers, adorned in elaborate costumes and accessories, moved with confidence and grace, looking every bit like professionals.
The Inang Sari group brought even more sophistication, with bright costumes and scarves that dazzled the audience. Their performance was elegant yet playful, embodying the charm of traditional dance.
The highlight came with Joget Batu Kikir, when 30 dancers filled the stage, joined by seniors and youngsters from the audience. The energy peaked with a spirited A Go Go to Malam Pesta Muda Mudi, which had everyone clapping and dancing along.
@twentytwo13news The recent Active Ageing Festival 2025 highlighted how seniors embrace ageing, finding joy and purpose in traditional Malay dance. Video courtesy of Dr Kuang Ching Hei #dance #seniors #ageinggracefully #Malaysia ♬ original sound - Twentytwo13
The festival succeeded in drawing seniors out of their homes, encouraging movement, laughter, and joy through the art of dance. It showed that active ageing is not just about health – it is about living fully, finding purpose, and celebrating life.