The Klang River Festival (KRF) is a public festival, annually uniting local communities and stakeholders in celebration of life, heritage, culture, and identity. Together with KongsiKL and other partners, 3nity co-developed the festival and its identity, setting KRF to reclaim the life of the river with purpose for the people, through arts as the platform.
Recognizing the significance of the river and its tributaries in people's lives, KRF showcases the transient and ever-changing nature of the river and its tributaries as a source of transportation, fresh water, food, agriculture, and religious rituals, fostering a deeper appreciation for its historical and cultural importance.
The festival takes place in various iconic heritage buildings located in Downtown Kuala Lumpur, creating a unique setting for people to reminisce, reconnect, and rediscover their sense of belonging and nostalgia for the Klang River.
By promoting inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and cultural celebration, KRF encourages meaningful conversations, connections, and collective efforts towards the sustainable development of the Klang River and its surroundings.
Launched by KongsiKL, the Klang River Festival (KRF) 2022 is an annual event aimed at sparking public dialogue on heritage, culture, and identity. Originally conceived as a farewell to KongsiKL’s previous lease, the festival sought to highlight the river’s role in the city, raise awareness about conservation, climate change, and cultural preservation, and encourage more sustainable urban lifestyles. Realising the event’s potential, KRF evolved into an ongoing tradition to honor the river, an essential yet often overlooked part of the city.
KRF serves as an open platform that brings together individuals, NGOs, and the private sector to foster socio-ecological sustainability. The festival’s core mission is to reconnect people with the river and celebrate its significance.
Focused on Kuala Lumpur, a city founded at the confluence of two rivers, KRF works to raise awareness of the river’s importance through alternative lifestyles and the innovative use of public spaces. By transforming the Klang River Valley into a more livable space, KRF encourages people to rediscover their connection to the river, through events held in the city’s iconic heritage buildings.The festival comprises:
· book documentation
· dialogue sessions with scholars, researchers and members of public
· arts performances
· workshops
· creative installations
· curated markets
· heritage walks
· film screenings
The 2023 Klang River Festival aimed to reconnect Kuala Lumpur’s residents with the Klang River, a connection often overshadowed by urbanisation. Running for 17 days from September 9th, the festival featured a diverse program across 11 venues along the river.
Through exhibitions, talks, film screenings, workshops, performances, and guided tours, the festival delved into the river’s history, ecology, and cultural significance. Focusing on themes of ecology, community, and culture, the event sought to raise awareness of the river's importance and inspire a renewed bond with this vital natural and cultural resource.
Presented by KongsiKL and supported by EXSIM, the Klang River Festival returns with a transformative theme, "Act!vate," aiming to spark environmental awareness and inspire collective action to reconnect with nature and revitalise the Klang River.
The festival featured a diverse program spanning from September to December 2024, including educational initiatives, an international exchange on riverine reactivation, stakeholder meetings, alignments, and public writing workshops. It culminated in a grand finale from November 29 to December 1, with workshops, activities, and events fostering community-driven efforts in environmental conservation.
