Nearly two years after closing for major upgrading works, Malaysia’s premier performing arts centre, Istana Budaya, is set to officially reopen on 17 May.
The much-anticipated relaunch will be celebrated through the Istana Budaya Gala Night 2026: Estetika Magika, which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Production Director and Acting Deputy Director (Artistic) Hanida Mohamed Yusof shared that the gala night will be structured around three main segments representing the legacy, evolution and future of the iconic Kuala Lumpur venue.
“We will share the journey of Istana Budaya, from when it was built to how it became what it is today. The Evolution segment, on the other hand, will feature its golden age, where it hosted landmark shows like ‘Puteri Gunung Ledang’ and other celebrated works,” she said.
Hanida added that the two-year upgrading works included a complete revamp of Panggung Sari as the main stage, as well as the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system — bringing the venue up to world-class standards.
“Istana Budaya is now equipped with technology recognised as one of the three best sound systems in the world, on par with the Royal Albert Hall in London. We tested it last week and the results were very encouraging,” she said.
(Photo Source: Istana Budaya FB, Astro Awani)