Crowds were seen thronging at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Kampar Campus on 15 April 2023 as if something exciting was about to transpire. The throngs, coming from Perak as well as travelling from other states, gathered at the surrounding of the hall with their voices of joy ringing into the air, filling the atmosphere with excitement and expectation.

What could be brewing that attracted such a huge crowd at the majestic Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Kampar Campus? It was the YOYOLAND Concert, a big-scale event which focused on unleashing the essence of Chinese cultural heritage with a twist of excitement and fun. The night at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was phenomenal as a medley of performances was presented to the audience.

The YOYOLAND Concert was organised by the YOYOLAND Committee, which consisted of the UTAR Kampar 24 Festive Drums Club, UTAR Kampar Wushu Club, UTAR Sungai Long Choir, UTAR Sungai Long Diabolo Team, UTAR Kampar Chinese Orchestra Unit and UTAR Kampar Dance Club. The committee was assisted by the UTAR Department of Student Affairs of Kampar Campus.

Present at the concert were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Hospital Board Chairman and UTAR Council Member Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Council Members Datuk Lim Si Cheng and Hew Fen Yee; UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Hospital CEO and Medical Director Prof Dr Lau Hui Ping, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Organising Chairperson of YOYOLAND Committee Ooi Lun Yuan and sponsors.

Before long, a series of unique drum beats was heard reverberating from the entrance of the hall into the vicinity. For the welcoming show, the UTAR Kampar 24 Festive Drums Club prepared a grand performance of 24 Festive Drums titled “Leaping into a New Journey, in a Sea of Hundred Booming Drums” (百鼓优跃). The performance was nothing short of spectacular, as 100 drummers lined up in a disciplined manner facing the entrance of the hall and beat the drums in synchrony, which ultimately created a unique rhythm that was fast-paced and, sometimes, slow-paced.

As the audience made their way into the hall and seated themselves, they were greeted with a lion dance performance titled “Feng Hua Jue Dai Xiong Shi Wei” (风华绝代雄狮威) and a 24 Festive Drums performance by UTAR Kampar Wushu Club and UTAR Kampar 24 Festive Drums Club. Every movement of the lion dancers signified courage and good luck. Every beat to the drums signified strength and energy. When the two were performed in a row, it exemplified the already vibrant atmosphere of the hall to another level, as though the booming drumbeats were lending strength and the courageous-yet-playful “lions” were sharing a good luck wish with the audience.

Having witnessed the performances by UTAR students, UTAR President Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “We are indeed living in the modern era. However, our histories, heritage and culture continue to be passed down from one generation to the next. These elements make us uniquely diverse in the global society. Yet, the beauty of diversity continues to prove to us that differences can bring people with similar interests together. Therefore, tonight’s concert is not just a platform for students to showcase their skills and talents, but it also provides us with the opportunity to gather together and celebrate our shared love for cultural arts. I would like to congratulate and applaud our students’ hard work because this is truly momentous for them.”

The Organising Chairperson of YOYOLAND Committee, Ooi was more than happy as the concert had seen support from visitors of different states. He enthused, “This concert had been in the works for over a year. As the chairperson of the YOYOLAND Committee, I would like to thank all committee members, crews, university staff as well as the performers who had been training day in and day out to make this concert a memorable occasion for everyone. I would also like to thank everyone who is in attendance. Some of you came to support your friends or children, and some even travelled hundreds of kilometres to see the cultural performances. This is truly a motivation that keeps us going. Your encouragement inspires us to do our best.”

With little to no delay, a musical ensemble appeared from the dark on the stage as the spotlight shone on them. The choir from UTAR Sungai Long Campus spoke the language of mellifluence. With skilled hand gestures from the conductor, their sonorous-yet-gentle voices roamed the hall, soothing the hearts of many. The prelude marked the beginning of the highlight of the concert, the story of YOYOLAND.

The story followed a group of friends who fell into YOYOLAND, a utopia which exists in the heart of every lost soul. As the group ventured through the mystery land, they had various encounters with the people of YOYOLAND. It was there, the group discovered the courage and passion to try new things. Once, clouded by their own precariousness, searching for the conspicuous-yet-intangible answer; with new-found courage, they blazed through the uncertainties and emerged from YOYOLAND with their minds firmly set on the future of limitless possibilities.

Their journey was not a prosaic one, for the story narration was presented in a cheerful tone with a blend of suspense as well as comedy. Coupled with the colourful performances, one would find themselves looking at a series of never-dulling skits. The diabolo performances took the audience’s breath away with their ostentatious display of skills; the wushu performances rekindled the ember inside the hearts of the audience with their wide variety of disciplines; the song and Chinese orchestra performances attracted the hungry ears of music lovers; the dance performances wowed the audience with their flashy dance moves; the 24 Festive Drums performances set the hearts of many rumbling with their booming drumbeats; and the skits inspired motivation in the audience with their humorous and meaningful delivery. The night was young.

If the excitements from the performances of UTAR students were not enough, the concert even saw the presence of the Malaysian singer Dior (大颖). The singer’s appearance along with her melodious song performances roused further excitement from the audience.

The night was met by the unwavering spirit of Chinese cultural heritage. What followed it was waves of resonating euphony and laughter. The cultural concert was, without a doubt, a memorable moment for everyone present at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Kampar Campus.