Archives
The hybrid lecture and micro-exhibition held at the George Washington University Textile Museum
Nearly 200 guests, both in-person and online, gathered at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum for a historic cultural debut: the first-ever presentation of Songket, Malaysia’s iconic textile, in the United States. This landmark event, organised by the Embassy of Malaysia and led by His Excellency Ambassador Nazri Aziz, introduced American audiences to the opulent tradition of Songket, which was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021.
The hybrid lecture and micro-exhibition featured in-depth presentations by Nirmala Sharippudin, Senior Curator of the Collection Management Division, Department of Museum Malaysia, and Tengku Intan Rahimah Tengku Mat Saman, Director of the National Textile Museum of Malaysia. Khairul Anwar, Textile Researcher and Assistant Secretary with the Ministry of Education Malaysia, also spoke on the subject, addressing its relevance within a broader social context.
Attendees were treated to a rare glimpse of historic Songket pieces, some dating back to the 1800s, highlighting the textile’s enduring beauty and evolution over time.
Ambassador Nazri Aziz’s dedication to preserving and promoting Malaysia’s cultural heritage, including his instrumental role in securing Songket’s UNESCO recognition, underscored its place as a world-class textile.
