Daryl Goh, The StarThe all-new KL Festival, set to run from May 6–31, aims to place Kuala Lumpur back in the regional – and increasingly global – cultural conversation.

Billed as a "confluence of creativity, cultures and communities", the 26-day event – presented by Think City and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) – brings together theatre, music, dance and a wide range of performing arts across the city.

"KL is at an important point in its cultural journey. Over the years, the city has developed a rich and diverse cultural ecosystem, with strong practitioners, venues and initiatives spread across different communities and neighbourhoods. What this moment offers is an opportunity to bring these strengths together through a shared platform that is city-wide and civic in nature," said Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Think City managing director on the festival website.

"The KL Festival is meant to provide that connective layer. It does not replace existing cultural efforts, but helps link them, making culture more visible, accessible and participatory for a broader rakyat in general," he added.